i'm worried. went for a scan today and they found a slow heartbeat...?

Question

the size of the baby is more like 5/6 wks but my dates say 7 wks. The ob/gyn said that sometimes the heartbeat becomes regular just by itself and othertimes it can be a sign of miscarriage to come. Also it might be just because it was so early to do a scan but the heart should always beat at the same pace right? I am having another scan next week. The ob/gyn said she's not too concerned as it was a little slow not very slow. Do you think she's being kind or just hoping for the best? Did anyone else have anything like this?

Answer 1

Did you know that 20 percent of people have a heart rate above the normal range and 20 percent below? That means that 40 percent, almost half, are not normal.

I think you have other things to worry about, like what color to paint the baby's room.

Answer 2

First of all, I don't think your OB was simply being kind -- it's not her job to mis-present the situation in the name of being kind and, frankly, I've never known an OB to do that. They don't downplay the seriousness of something; in fact, if she's really concerned about an impending miscarriage she would want to prepare you for that eventuality.

It's true that a slow heartbeat is often a sign the the embryo isn't viable, but sometimes it all works itself out. My question is: what was the heart rate? Studies are pretty consistent about to what extent an embryonic heart rate in early pregnancy is a predictor of impending loss, and there's a big difference between, say, a heartrate of 100 and a heartrate of 80.

Remember, too, that your dates could be off -- even if you're charting, taking ovulation tests, etc. the information we can glean from all that is basically just a "really really really good guess." Fertilization might not have occured exactly when you think it did. What's more, implantation might have occured on the later side of things. What's more, ultrasound dating can be off by about a week -- the difference between the measurements and your dates is not necessarily an indication that something is wrong. (Although, taken with the heartrate question, it is unfortunately not a good sign.)

Embryonic and fetal heart rates do change and are absolutely not a constant. In very early stages, if memory serves, the doctor wants to see a heartrate above 90 at around 5 weeks gestation, and at least 120 at around 6 weeks. Later in pregnancy the heartrate is usually in the range of about 140-170 (thereabouts, I'm going on memory -- my point isn't to say "it should be x" but to show you that what's considered a good or normal heartrate varies during pregnancy and, further, there is a range).

I've been through several losses (and one successful pregnancy during which I was still on edge all the time). A few of those losses took place in early pregnancy after a heartbeat was seen and measured; with the first of those, at about 7 weeks, a scan showed a slow heartbeat and I was told I would miscarry (which I did just a few days later); another time it really wasn't clear to the doctor what would happen, she felt it really could go either way, 50/50, but the night before my follow up scan I lost the pregnancy. (I wish I had positive outcomes to tell you about, but I didn't have any in those circumstances.)

I really do understand the stress of what you're going through, and how hard it is to just....wait...until the next scan. Unfortunately there's really nothing you can do in the meantime. You *could* speak with your OB and find out specifics about the scan -- what the heartrate was and what the measurements were -- but to be honest, I think you're more prone to make yourself absolutely crazy if you have that information.

Some pregnancies/embryos/babies are just slow starters -- and hopefully that's exactly what you're dealing with.

Sorry for rambling. I wish you all the best.

Answer 3

I had this happen to me. i had my date which is November 8th, but i had an ultrasound done and pushed it back to the 13th. I also had the slow heart beat. It was at 69. I just had an ultrasound done when i was in the ER and the midwife said the heartbeat is perfect. By about i think 6 or 7 weeks the doctor said the baby's heart beat should be double the mother's resting heartbeat, but since you were 5 weeks with he ultrasound that's why it was slow!
Don't worry to much, just have an ultrasound done at your next appt. it will make you feel better!!
Good Luck!

Answer 4

I had the same thing happen to me (now 7 months pregnant). I went for an ultrasound really early and the ultrasound tech said that the heart had probably just started beating and that can be the reason it is slow. Try not to worry (I know its not that easy!) but when you have your next test I am sure it will be fine.

Good Luck!!!!

Answer 5

My baby's heart rate changed at every visit. Sometimes it was slow like in the 120 or 130 range, and sometimes higher. It's hard to get a good reading early on, like at 7 or 8 weeks.

I would not panic since there is nothing for sure to worry about.

Answer 6

I can't say that the OB telling you that you could have a miscarriage is very reassuring. Don't worry about the slow heart rate, it usually sorts itself out.

Answer 7

the best thing for you to do is take it that everything is absolutely fine until you know other wise try take your mind of it as worrying is no good for you or your baby.
there is no point in stressing yourself out when I'm sure your baby is fine you have to just wait for your next scan.
good luck

Answer 8

That happened with my daughter. It will speed up so try not to worry. It is still early yet. :-)

Answer 9

i think it may be a little both! however in any case...REMEMBER you have ABSOLUTELY NO CONNTROL over the situation! its totally up 2 god and wouldnt allow you in any anything he knew you werent able 2 deal with!

so stop thinkking of it! (it may be hard)....and just take it easy and pray!