6 weeks 4 days pregnant--fetal pole but no heartbeat?

Question

When I went in at 4.5 weeks, there was no gestational sak. At 5.5 weeks, there was a sak but no fetal pole. At 6.5 weeks, there was a fetal pole but no heartbeat. I'm making progress and SICK as a dog, so it is hard for me to imagine that something is wrong--most things I read say you should hear a heartbeat by t.v. ultrasound by 6.5 weeks. Has anyone else had this happen? My doctor is completely non-commital.

Answer 1

i heard and seen my baby's heart beat at 6.5 weeks and only saw the gestational sac at 4.5 weeks. i think you are perfectly fine you dates might be a few days off. my doctor said a couple of days in the beginning can make a big difference. i bet when you go back everything will be where it should and your baby's heart will be beating.
don't worry and good luck.

Answer 2

You are really well informed. Are you a doctor? I have been told that the OBGYN practice at my local hospital does not even see patients until they are 8 weeks along. I thought that seemed like a long time to go without any medical supervision, as I have known of my pregnancy since day 32, but maybe it is just because it takes that long for the majority of people to show fetals poles, sacs and other gestational details such as the ones you are mentioning. What I'm trying to say is, just trust your body to do the work for you, try to relax and maybe don't over-do it with the research. It could make you doubt yourself when the best thing for you is to feel confident and healthy.

Answer 3

this just recently happend to me, i had an ultrasound at what i thought was 6 weeks and there was a fetal pole but no heartbeat. i had a scan booked for 2 weeks later to see what was happening and the baby had grown and its little heart was beating. Turned out my dates were wrong, even though i knew when my last period started, my cycle is long and so baby was concieved later than thought. Therefore at my first scan i was only five weeks and so early to seea heartbeat. my point is, its difficult to know exactly how many weeks you are and it so easy to make mistakes when counting. 6 weeks is very early anyway, and if you go for another scan in a week or so im sure you'll see a heartbeat. everything is progressing and your having symtoms so relax. gud luk xxxx

p.s its best not to search the internet for information, it can make you more worried. get a better doctor and talk to them about it all x

Answer 4

This happened to me. I was hospitalized for hyperemesis at the time. The doctor said "We don't even know if this is a viable pregnancy." I was devastated. I had a healthy delivery 32 weeks later (39 weeks gestation). He's now a healthy 8 year old. It sounds like your gut is telling you this is a healthy pregnancy. Follow that with a good diet, light exercise, and stress reductions techniques.

Answer 5

My wife was able to see a heartbeat of our baby girl when she was 7 weeks pregnant. Maybe the doctor is off a couple weeks! If you are still feeling sick that is usually a good sign. My wife had morning sickness everyday until she was 20 weeks pregnant and now it is getting better.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

I didn't get to hear my baby's heart beat until I was 10 weeks and in the ER; however, my doctor detected it at our first ultrasound at 8 weeks, and I got to hear it again at 12 weeks in the ER and at my following doctor's visit that week.

If your doctor seems shady about providing you with information or seems "unconcerned," then by all means find a new doctor! Your doctor is meant to provide you with answers to your concerns and to be there for you. You should express your concerns with him and if he still seems to "blow it off" or to not seem bothered by, give him a piece of your mind. Sometimes it helps being forceful--but in a professional, adult way--before they'll listen to you.

I too was diagnosed with hyperemeis gravidarum, and I often wondered--and still do!--if my baby is fairing okay, or if it is small because I'm sick still (nearing the end of 15 weeks).

I have heard that morning sickness is a good sign, so follow your instincts, and get a new doctor. Your baby's health is more important than a doctor who doesn't like his job.

Answer 7

Try not to stress too much... With both of my pregnancies we didn't check for the heartbeat til 10 weeks. She did pick up cardio activity on the ultrasound monitor @ 7 weeks, but no attempts for sound. One good thing (kinda good, kinda unfortunate) is your body will most likely dispose of abnormal pregnancies. I just miscarried Feb '07 @ 13 weeks. If you do miscarry you'll still have symptoms for anywhere up to 2 weeks, so don't depend on those. Maintain your diet and vitamins and keep your doc visits. Everything will probably be just fine.

God Bless you and your pregnancy.

Answer 8

I can't tell you whether it's normal. But I think it may be time for you to switch doctors. This is an important issues and you should be able to secure a committed answer from your doctor.

Obviously you don't like the way this is being handled, so take it into your own hands. Best of luck :]

Answer 9

Usually, if you are really sick, that's a good sign. It means your pregnancy hormones are still elevated.
Date of conception can vary as much as two weeks. So, you could be a little less pregnant than you thought. [ Between the ovum life span, and the sperm life span, there's a good 7 days to have gotten pregnant. ]

Answer 10

doctors didn't check for a heart beat on me until 8 weeks. I wouldn't be concerned unless you start cramping or bleeding