7 weeks and baby with slow heartbeat (87bpm) - can this only end one way?

[Piglet33]

Hello,

Very sad day today. Went into A and E as had some bleeding and cramps and lower back ache. Ended up having various tests and a scan. Was utterly amazing to hear the heartbeat but then devastating to hear that instead of 100 bpm it was 87 bpm. Nurse was very lovely and said it was possible that the baby might get through this, but she thought probably not. Am told I just have to sit it out to see if the bleeding develops into full miscarriage and if nothing more, then next scan in ten days.

I have no idea whether I should cling on to hope or accept this is just a matter of time before i miscarry.

Has anyone else had this happen and it not end horribly?

[Flojo1979]

Try to stay positive, they arent always accurate, easier said than done, if u got to wait ten days then try pregnancy test least then you'll know for sure.

[MartineMclutchbag]

Easier said than done, but try to relax and stay positive. There are many people on here who've posted something similar with a happy outcome.

Everything crossed for you

[lucybrad]

pregnancy test will show positive for a while after a loss due to the hormones circulating in the body. Not sure about the heartrate, although I admit, it does sound really slow. Hope they have it wrong, and everything turns out ok for you.

[Piglet33]

Thanks all for the kind words - it's extremely comforting knowing there are people who care out there.

Pain seems to have subsided, but still have light bleeding. It's the waiting that is going to do me in - if I'm miscarrying, I just want it to happen and be done with. I don't know if I should set up camp on the sofa and try and stay as motionless as possible until next scan or try to carry on normal life. Am such a mix of emotions....

[japhrimel]

Do whatever feels best for you.

If you are miscarrying, then nothing you can do will stop it. Some women worry in similar situations because bleeding gets worse when they stand up & move around, but this is only because gravity helps the blood come out, not that it makes the situation worse.

But if you want to go to bed and hide under the duvet and eat chocolate, do.

Pregnancy tests can stay positive for a while. Although if you use the same kind of test under the same circs each day it may show you that hormone levels are dropping, I wouldn't recommend doing this as hormone levels can stay high and you still miscarry. It's stressful enough having to do a test after an early miscarriage to check its complete.

The Miscarriage Association has very helpful leaflets on their website btw.

[RunawayPumpkin]

No advice just thinking of you

[banana87]

I am a little suprised they mentioned the hb to be honest. In all my scans they have said the heart rate is not important this early because it can be so off. Try to keep positive.

[sh77]

I asked about my baby's hr at 7 week scan and also told it wasn't important at that stage. My friend experienced bleeding, cramps, and slow hb at 8 weeks and gave birth to a v healthy baby 2 weeks ago.

[Piglet33]

Thank you so much - am feeling a little more hopeful reading these responses. Looking at the photo of the scan, I'm not sure the nurse was right in any case as she wrote down that the CRL was 5.7mm when on the print out it says 6.3mm, which seems a big difference! I hope I'm not trying to cling to vain hope, but I now only have light spotting again and no pain, so have everything crossed!!

[RunawayPumpkin]

Keeping everything crossed for you.