Early scan showed tiny empty sac. Any experience/advice?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

My LMP was 30th august but I think I ov'ed roughly around 18th sept, making me approx 5+3. I've had some light bleeding for about a week. Early scan today showed a tiny (2mm) empty sac in the womb, no visible yolk sac or fetal pole as it's so tiny. The lady wasn't sure what to tell me, other than it was inconclusive. They've done bloods etc and I may need another scan next week. There were mentions of a possible ectopic.

Has anyone had a very early scan and seen an empty sac when there probably should have at least been a yolk sac?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Lack of bump.

[Iwillorderthefood]

I had this, she's waiting for the tooth fairy to cme for the second time in two nights. It is a really difficult thing to hear, but I was told that they would have to rescan to verify later, I think it was a week. It felt s very long time. I am surprised that you had a scan this early, with my second they would not scan that early for this very reason. It is I believe fairly normal to just have an empty sac at this point. I do hope that this turns out well for you.

[chezziejo]

I had this with first pregnancy. Went back for 7 week and there was a little heartbeat. That little heartbeat is now two years old

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Thank you for writing! I'm getting a nice strong line on tests, I feel emotional, tired... I think this is why they were worried about an ectopic because they must have done a test with the urine sample I gave them. Reading on google though, it's so 50/50, half the time they rescanned and found a baby, half the time just an empty sac. I should stop googling really but I suppose I'm looking for an answer no-one can give.

[chezziejo]

Yes keep off google it will drive you mad. I also had bleeding around 5 weeks hence the early scan. I never had nausea with either pregnancy.

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Do you mind me asking, was it just pink dischargy type bleeding or red blood with clots? I have had both, not a lot of red blood but light like the first day of a period. You don't have to answer if it's tmi

[chezziejo]

No it's fine. It was sort of browny at first then I had fresh blood and a few clots but there wasbt much of it really. A little bit goes a long way. Midwife did say tho that she has had patients who have bled buckets and gone to have healthy babies. It's a worrying waiting game but always here to chat. I've also suffered a mmc in the past so I do understand what your going through. Also had the same bleeding in this pregnancy and I'm 34 weeks now.

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Really appreciate you responding, thanks a lot. I just found this on babycentre.com: The later the scan, the more that can be seen:

• At about five weeks (three weeks after conception), it may be possible to see a small, empty pregnancy sac.
  

• At six weeks, a yolk sac can be seen, and sometimes a heartbeat may be visible.
  

etc etc

So if I think I'm 5 weeks, then that's about right. Maybe they're dating me by my LMP which isn't much use as I have long cycles. Pretty sure I ov'ed 18th sept as I was using opk's. Anyway it's all conjecture for now, but reading positive stories has cheered me up a bit.

[rosieposey]

With my DS 4 years ago there was a tiny flicker of a hb at 5.4 days then, in this pg I went for a scan at 5.4 - she said I was probably more like 5.2 and there was nothing, just a tiny tiny sac. Went back 6 days later and there was a yolk sac and hb which was soooo small and new but definately there. I paid for the second scan as I couldn't wait two weeks and it's amazing the difference a few days make.

When they said at the first scan that it was too early I said you could see my DS's at 5 weeks and 4 days but that is apparently the exception rather than the rule. I was convinced it was another blighted ovum this time ( had one before DS) but I was also told babies really do grow at differing rates obviously because of conception and time to implantation ect - I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't had two such differing experiences - I'm 30 weeks on Sunday and DS 2 seems to be growing just fine. I think it will be fine for you - you are still getting symptoms which is a great sign, its just super early as it was for me - good luck :)

[chezziejo]

Glad its made you feel a bit better. I thought I was five weeks and turned out to be seven based on last period. I think cycles have a mind of their own sometimes. Mind I wasn't paying much attention either and was a tad surprised but that's a whole other story.

[orangeone]

Hi - I've literally just had the nightmare 7 day wait!
Went in last week on 5+6 by my LMP and saw a sac an still sac but no heartbeat. Realised my dates were wrong as I probably didn't OV till day 18 of my cycle (given that's when I did the deed and not before!). Was sent away and then got rescanned yesterday (7 days later) and there was a fetal pole and heartbeat at 6+6 (although probably more like 6+2 apparently). Scan lady told me its not an exact science at the early days and there can be variation and you just have to wait and get rescanned. I know that doesn't help the nerves but if you are still feeling pregnant thats good. Having also had 2 EP if there is a sac in the womb then that rules out EP, although having also had a Blighted Ovum (yes I've been that lucky!!), until you see a yolk sac then that can't be ruled out.
Just hang in there, 7 days is a long time in early pregnancy.
Good luck. Ox

[Moominsummermadness]

I had a scan when I should have been 5+4, and nothing at all was seen, not even a sac. I had to provide a urine sample to prove that I was even pregnant. The sonographers report stated that the uterus lining was slightly thickened and there were possible 'retained products of conception'. They thought at this stage it was either ectopic, or early miscarriage. I had to have blood tests done every 2 days to check if hcg was doubling. 8 days later, I had a repeat scan, and there was a gestational sac, yolk and 4.8mm embryo with heartbeat. I had also had bleeding like a light period for over a week. I am now holding my 17 day old DD.

Hope it works out for you. xx

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Wow, isn't the body amazing? Thanks both for your stories! Moomin so the bleeding did stop after a week or so did it? mine's still going but currently lighter (seems to get worse when I'm active)

I'm feeling a lot more positive, daring to be hopeful even, I don't suppose there's any point in moping around when they might just have scanned too early. Bet the little sod's in there hiding and giggling

[LifesAHappySong]

I had early scans with both my pregnancies, both times only the sac could be seen at 5-6 weeks - past 6 weeks there was a heartbeat and yolk sac. Try not to worry - ectopic is unlikely now that they've seen things developing in the right place. I also had bleeding heavy enough to mistake for a period and I'm now 24 weeks. Its an incredibly worrying time but more than likely you'll go back next week and everything will be developing as it should be. Remember that most of the time we don't get to see what's going on this early and although it is a blessing in some ways in others it just hugely adds to the worry! Hope you're doing ok x

[Moominsummermadness]

In my case, the bleeding stopped and started until about seven weeks, then I had a one-off bleed at 10 weeks. I went back to the epau at this stage, and they discovered that the cause of the bleeding was a haematoma. It was still present at my 20 week scan, but caused no further bleeding. Keep us posted, I'll be checking to see how you're getting on. X

[lurcherlover]

Same here - only a gestational sac visible at 5 weeks, nothing else. At 6 weeks there was a flickering hb, and now at 14 weeks we have just seen a very bouncy foetus So it's very inconclusive at this stage - see what happens at the next one. Have they done your hcg levels?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

They took one lot of bloods, have to go back to have more taken tomorrow morning, then they'll compare the two and let me know sometime on Monday. If they want to rescan I don't know when that'll be, they mentioned Tuesday but 4 days can't make that much difference can it?

[chezziejo]

I think 4 days can make a big difference. Amazing how quick they grow at this stage. Hope it all goes well tomorrow, let us know.

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Well, all it'll be tomorrow is a blood sample, they won't give me the results til Monday unfortunately, but yes, I'll keep you posted.

[milk]

I've said this many times, and I'll say it again :)

scan at Week 5: Only showed empty sac
scan at Week 7: Showed sac, yolk, and fetal pole
Now: I have a 1 week old baby :)

Don't give up hope!!!

[chezziejo]

Hi

Did your bloods come back ok? Been thinking about you today

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

It's good news, thanks for asking! beta hcg levels increased over 60% in 48 hours so it's looking good! I have a scan scheduled for next monday, just to check everything is present and correct, but I think it'll be ok as they did see a sac there even if it was a tiny one.

Thanks for the information and support all, you did help me feel better! x

[chezziejo]

Aww that's good news. Hope your mind is at rest a bit now. Had midwife today and little sod has turned and now breech. Still plenty of time to move tho (I hope) also moving house in 8 days for good measure

[suzyrut]

hi james was going to post this on the june board but thought it would be better here. Just to say I had almost exactly the same experience as you, had an early scan (thought I should've been 6 weeks based on length of symptoms) and only saw an empty sac 5mm which she said made me very early (not helpful!) and to come back in two weeks. Anyway went back yesterday after having convinced myself that something was wrong but it was all ok and measured 6+6 EDD 6/6/13.

I know that the waiting can be excruciating and how you can convince yourself that it's all over and early scans can be the opposite of the reassurance you hope to get from them. Anyway will keep everything crossed for you.

Has the bleeding stopped?

[JamesAndTheGiantBanana]

Thanks for asking after me, I'm afraid the bleeding hasn't stopped, it has got worse, with lots of clotting and mild period pains. I think it's a miscarriage unfortunately, but I'm trying to remain philosophical about it. I have two beautiful healthy dc who I had with no problems, this one just didn't work out. We can try again. I'm just really lucky that this is happening now while it was "just a bundle of cells" (you know what I mean) and not later like some poor women go through. I still have a scan booked for Monday but it'll just confirm what we already know, I think.

Glad to hear your scan went well, wishing you all happy healthy pregnancies, thanks for advising me.