No heartbeat at 6w5d, development @ 5weeks, but growing well?

Question

My doc did a scan at 5w6d, and did not see a heartbeat. He rescanned at 6w5d, and still couldn't see a heartbeat. I know that my dates are correct, but I was on clomid, and had more than one egg, at different stages of readiness. My HCG's have been above average throughout the pregnancy, although my progesterone was low.

When the doc examined me, he wasn't happy with the lack of heartbeat, but he said that the embryo had definitely grown well between the two scans, although the development was more like 5 weeks than 6 weeks.

Does anyone have any similar experience with this, or possible explanations?

A blighted ovum is when it miscarries before it is seen to be an embryo. It is definitely not a tumour or ectopic pregnancy - that would have been picked up in the scan. The development is that he can now clearly see a yolk sac where it wasn't clear before.

Answer 1

I would say it is one of two main things, based on similar situations I have seen in the past.

1) As you mentioned, it may have been an immature egg that was released early that took several days to mature in utero. It could have been fertilized later, so it could explain why the embryo is measuring earlier than what you would expect.

2) It could also be a non-viable pregnancy (blighted ovum or chemical pregnancy). Has he seen a fetal pole or a yolk sac? Those would be good signs at this stage. My doctor does not give u/s until 7 weeks b/c it can be hard to find the heartbeat before then.

When do you get your next u/s? It should really be the final clue that will let you know what exactly is going on. He should see a heartbeat by then (if it is more than three days from now) or be able to tell if it is not developing properly.

I'm so sorry you are going through this hell, and I hope it all works out. If it doesn't, I know it will hurt, but remember it is a GREAT sign that you got pregnant on clomid alone. It indicates that you will be able to get PG again and won't have to face the big scary idea of IVF. I just hope this one works out though, and you can enjoy being PG.

Answer 2

Please see a doctor again! It could be a blighted ovum - the sac develops but something happens and the embryo stops developing. This happened in my first pregnancy. Because I had no previous problems I wasn't scanned until 12 weeks. On the ultrasound, the sac had continued to grow but there was no heartbeat. I learned that this happens more freqently (as does miscarriage) than we realize. I had many many problems after that but DON'T LOSE HOPE- I had my miracle finally!

Answer 3

Through a sonogram you should see the baby's heartbeat at around 5 weeks, and definitlely by 6 weeks. If the baby grew between scans, then there must be a heartbeat. Hopefully they check you again soon.

Answer 4

I agree it could be a blighted ovum or even a partial molar pg...that would explain the high numbers but lack of fetal hb (which you most certainly should see at 6w5d).
I'm surprised he's making you wait so long for a repeat scan.

Answer 5

Please have an Ultra sound done again
I have the same problem and it was not good news
but don't get stress over my answer pray and hope that the doc is correct that it is 5 wks and not 6wks
Good Luck

Answer 6

I would get checked again, how can there be no heartbeat but it growing. Doesn't sound like a baby, but maybe a tumor or something. I would go see another doctor.

Answer 7

Sounds similar to what happened with my first born. She's one year old now and completely normal. Good luck honey.

Answer 8

That doesn't sound right to me. I think u need to get looked at again. Something is wrong.