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Pregnancy

5-6 (?) weeks pregnant, no fetal pole, loss of symptoms

22 replies

emsler · 09/09/2016 14:19

Hi all,

I know you see threads like this ALL the time but I feel like I'm going a bit mad and I can't possibly talk to my poor husband about this any more than I already am so I was hoping you lovely people might be able to help me a little.

I have PCOS and a high BMI so when I found out I was pregnant last Tuesday we were shocked and over the moon. I'd had lower back pain for a two weeks and then almost immediately started getting very mild symptoms (tender nipples, swollen breasts, bloating, headache, slight pulling sensations / cramping, discharge, mild fatigue, on and off thirst / weeing more often).

I had very slight brown spotting at the weekend. I assumed it was from my cervix, but I did one of those ClearBlue conception indicator tests (which I massively regret doing) and it said 2+3 weeks pregnant. At that point, according to my LMP I was 5+5 so it should have said 3+. I panicked a bit and went to the GP who took my hCG level which was 3455.

To add to that, my symptoms were never particularly strong, but yesterday I woke up feeling completely better. Like I'd never even been pregnant. The only thing remaining was slightly tender nipples. I can't really explain how weird it was - I honestly felt - and still feel - completely normal - which is terrifying. I've got way more energy, no stretching pains, no bloating, no headache, no excess thirst and last night was the first night I made it through the night without getting up for a wee. Plus I can feel that if I wasn't so anxious my libido and appetite would be back!

Went back to get the second test today and I explained that I'd lost my symptoms so GP sent me to the EPU for a scan today. Again, according to the date of my LMP I'm exactly six weeks today, so before the scan the sonographer said that we probably wouldn't be able to see a heartbeat but should see the sac, yolk and fetal pole.

She did the scan and was able to find the sac and yolk but no fetal pole. Also the size of the sac and yolk was consistent with 5 weeks of pregnancy not 6. Essentially she said this means that either I'm actually only 5 weeks pregnant OR that the baby stopped developing at 5 weeks and I've had a MMC (or, of course, blighted ovum).

I'm getting the results of the second hCG test tomorrow which will at least give me peace of mind that either SOMETHING is progressing as it should be - or that it's not and it's a MMC that I've been lucky to catch early.

I guess I was just hoping to hear from some ladies who'd been through something similar. Is it normal to lose all your symptoms at 5 weeks (or not to really have many in the first place)? Could I have conceived a week later than my LMP would suggest? Has anyone else had a scan at 5-6 weeks and not seen a fetal pole? I'd appreciate all stories, reassuring and not - I'm a real worrier and I like to be prepared for the worst so please don't shelter me if your situation didn't turn out well.

Thank you all so much and sorry for the essay. This baby is so very longed for and besides my husband I don't have anyone to talk to about all of this and I'm a bit beside myself!

Thanks,

Emma

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Cel982 · 09/09/2016 14:26

Sorry to hear this, Emma, it's a worrying time. If you have PCOS, are your cycles usually irregular or long? If so then using your LMP for dates won't be accurate.
As for symptoms, many (even most?) people don't have any symptoms at all at 5-6 weeks pregnant; I know I didn't until the nausea kicked in at about 8 weeks. So that in itself wouldn't really be a concern.

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emsler · 09/09/2016 14:30

Thanks Cel982. My cycles aren't regular as clockwork (i.e. not always 28 days) but they're usually between 25-32 so I didn't think it would make such a big difference.

I guess in a way if I'd had NO symptoms I wouldn't be so worried, but having had them and then most of them disappear feels a bit more concerning.

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OverandUnderandThrough · 09/09/2016 14:34

I have twins, which were conceived by fertility treatment, so we were given a scan at around 5 weeks. Now, I know my twins were conceived at the same time, but at that time one showed a clear sac, pole and yolk, but the second one looked like an empty sac at that point, there was nothing to see at all. Both sacs were also slightly differently sized.

They are now (non stop talking) 4 year olds! I know they should have been exactly the same size, however they weren't. I think there can be quite a variability in sizes, partly because the machines are measuring tiny tiny things and it depends on a lot of factors in how accurately they can measure etc.

So, try not to worry, hopefully it will all be ok, keeping fingers crossed for you

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emsler · 09/09/2016 14:42

Thanks OVerandUnderandThrough, what an odd thing to happen! Bodies really are the strangest things and pregnancy makes them even stranger! So pleased it all worked out for you. Hopefully it will for me too.

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Nikki2ol6 · 09/09/2016 16:02

6 years ago I had an early scan at 6 weeks. I had an empty sac measuring 6 weeks! She told me she really expected to see something in ther by now. I had to go back 1 week later. My symptoms did get stronger in that week and I began to Vomit!! At my next scan was a 7 week fetus with a heart beat. He's almost 6 now!

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emsler · 09/09/2016 16:05

That's so great to hear Nikki - thank you! I've just done lots of date calculations and I think it's theoretically possible that I could be 5+2 (with really good hCG levels) so that's not too bad. Hopefully tomorrow's hCG result will give me a bit more information. Then I guess it's just the waiting game for my next scan to see if baby decides to make an appearance. Just wish I could stop worrying about my disappearing pregnancy symptoms, especially given my hCG levels are very high for 5 to 5+2...

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maisybobbins · 09/09/2016 16:20

I worried for my first 12 weeks because I had zero symptoms apart from bloating. Not a whiff of nausea, so I was so worried I didn't have the right hormones zooming around. Some of us are just extra good at worrying!

Hope hope you get the right results tomorrow OP.

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emsler · 09/09/2016 16:33

Thanks Maisybobbins, that's really good to hear. Yes I am a proper worrier, I always knew this would be a very anxious time for me especially because I have a very bad habit of trusting my "gut instincts" despite them often being very wrong (the day before we got our positive result I was ranting to my husband that I just KNEW we would never get pregnant and we should rethink our lives etc etc!). I'm actually wondering if some of the symptoms I had earlier this week / last week were caused by anxiety and stress! Who knows. Fingers crossed for tomorrow.

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emsler · 09/09/2016 18:36

Hi all, just to let you know that my lovely GP called me early with the results (she's so nice!) and my levels are at 5991. Because I'm past 1200 they should only be doubling every 72-96 hours / going up by 60% every 48 hours and mine have gone up by 75% so good news. Hopefully I'll be able to get a scan to double check that the fetal pole and heartbeat appear as they should. Until then I'm just going to try not to worry and check for symptoms every two seconds - I guess I should be enjoying feeling so well!

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maisybobbins · 09/09/2016 22:31

Fantastic!! So happy for you, and how lovely of your GP to call you about the results as soon as she could. I bet she's a fellow worrier!

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Shiva83 · 01/05/2017 22:19

Sorry I know this is an old thread but do you mind me asking what happened with this? I'm going through exactly the same thing now and have a scan booked this Wednesday - I will be 6 weeks and 2 days. I've had 2 miscarriages and one recently so am petrified

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meadowlark3 · 01/05/2017 22:57

Shiva I am going through the same thing. I was due to start fertility treatment but took a preg test because my boobs were sore and I had a feeling. I'm only 3.5 weeks and today my breast soreness and nipple pain has gone. I am trying not to worry too much but this is what happened when I MC last year. I am also having lots of pulling and fullness feelings around my uterus (but not AF cramps), which I didn't have with the MC. I am going for another HCG tomorrow and so nervous that it will show my numbers have fallen.

What are you experiencing?
Flowers

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Shiva83 · 02/05/2017 06:16

I'm sorry to hear you are going through this too. I got a positive pregnancy test last Saturday at approx 5 weeks (clearblue said 2-3) and had been having lots of symptoms - sore breast, heartburn and mild nausea but they have been gradually all week. On Friday I panicked and did another clear blue and got the same 2-3 weeks which caused me to panic more and I've also been having very mild spitting yesterday and stomach cramps through the night last night. I had a miscarriage this year in Jan and a few years back so am scared to death.

I hope your blood work comes back okay - 3.5 weeks is really early for symptoms anyway so I am sure you will be fine but I know it's very hard not too worry. I have a private scan booked for Wednesday which I am also nervous of as I miscarried after the last but will hopefully give some piece of mind, for some reason they wouldn't do bloods.

Thinking of you x

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meadowlark3 · 02/05/2017 21:50

Hi Shiva,
Sorry you're going through this too...it is quite hard to feel so nervous and worried! Today my pulling feelings have been a bit better but I am feeling quite tired and a bit disoriented...almost as if everything is a dream! Have you had that? My doctor said my bloods are "looking like good news" today so that is hopeful. I am booked for a scan next week to give a bit more time for something to show in my womb. But I am still terrified, too, as we only made it to 5+ weeks last year.

Have you found anything to help you cope with all of this? I found some meditation videos on youtube and being back at work today was helpful as well.

Please post an update on your scan if you have a chance. I will be thinking of you tomorrow and sending good thoughts.

xx

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Shiva83 · 03/05/2017 19:27

Thank you Meadowlark3. I'm so glad to hear your blood work came back okay - for some reason they don't do this in the area I live unless they're looking for an periodic pregnancy.

I had my scan today and it was a bit inconclusive. According to my dates I'm 6 weeks and 2 days but they said more like 5 as they could only see the yolk sac. Other than the dates being out a bit they said it looked like a normal pregnancy but am just praying the spotting stops. Cramping seems to have calmed - I'm wondering if it was the anxiety of waiting for the scan. I'm going to speak to the doctor tomorrow and I will know more, I think he'll bring me back in in a couple of weeks.

I also had a miscarriage in Jan, sorry to hear about yours. Life is unfair sometimes! Got my fingers crossed for you, please let me know how the scan goes xx

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Shiva83 · 03/05/2017 19:28

Sorry meant to say eptopic not periodic 🙈

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meadowlark3 · 07/05/2017 10:56

Hi Shiva, how are your cramping and spotting now? I thought that seeing a yolk sac is a positive sign. Do you have your next scan booked? Have any of your other symptoms come back?

My period would have been due on Friday and I've had no spotting, just some crampy feelings (more around the uterus and on the sides than AF cramps, if that makes any sense?) and I've been extremely fatigued. Lots of women say cramps are quite normal around the time the period is due so I'm trying to stay calm. It's rubbish to experience all of this after a miscarriage, but I know that nothing I do today will affect the outcome tomorrow so just staying positive.

Sending more good thoughts your way. xx

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Shiva83 · 08/05/2017 22:29

I'm sorry @meadowlark3 it was bad news for me, I ended up miscarrying the day after 😔

How was your scan? Got everything crossed for you. Yes cramps are definitely a normal symptom of pregnancy, just worrying if accompanied by blood. I know it takes the fun out of the experience doesn't it! I hope this is a successful orengnnacy for you

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Pea07 · 18/10/2017 20:54

Hi guys so i had abit if brown discharge on sunday so i phoned 111 and they sent me to the epu for a scan t/s not normal u/s
Well they found the sac but no baby
The sac was measuring at 6 weeks but i was sure i was 9 weeks this upset me very much but they told me to wait for my hcg blood test to come back and they would phone me anyway no phone call so i phoned them and one nurse said at 7545 that it was a good result i then forgot what result it was so i phoned back the next day and another nurse said it was too high so i was abit mythed so i then phoned back again just for someone to explain abit more
And the nurse said everything looked healthy and in the right stage and even though they was meant to see a baby it could just be to early but im booked back for another scan on tuesday but this time just a normally u/s
I started to bleed last night like a start of a period but it didnt last over 2 seconds just a wipe and it stopped
But thia afternoon i have lost some brown discharge just dont know what to think..

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Etonam · 19/01/2020 12:33

am new here but I need help I had my first scan At th6weeks 2days but.there was gestational sac of size (1.13x0.99x1.17) but no yolk sac or fetal pole visualized.i have been so worried and am to do another scan tomorrow and am full with mixed feelings and hopping for a good news.anyone with such story that came out good.

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Etonam · 28/01/2020 13:15

Sorry to announce to you that I had a missed miscarriage on Sunday and bleed through out the night.in the morning I went to the hospital for a d and c my problem now is I feel funny in my stomach,dizzy and slight headache and wondering if it's normal

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hopefulmum25 · 06/01/2021 18:43

Hi @emsler I am going through the SAME exact thing you went through. Your thread is the only one that came up in my google search that matched what I was looking for. I was wondering if you can tell me what ended up happening? Im waiting for my hcG levels tomorrow and my next ultrasound on Monday. No yolk, just a very smaaaall sac and my LMP was 11/11 and only had sex 11/29. Irregular periods, PCOS but BFP on 12/10.

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