We might be over 40 but we are young at heart, taking our supplements, shagging on time and waiting for the precious BFP!Over 40's TTC, join us here...

[Gumblossom]

Starting the new thread, Cloudjumper.

Anyone over 40, trying to conceive, whether it is your first or 6th (or more), we're facing the obstacles together.

I've been at it for 6 years now, but there are plenty of good news stories from these threads over the years.

Come and join us with your worries, woes,successes and milestones, we are here to support one another in our quest.

oh ((((gum)))) I'm so pleased you have a heartbeat and the measurements are in line with dates but so sorry that the results have worried you and give you no comfort. It's so hard to know whether to be optimistic and take positivity from what you have seen or to protect yourself by listening to the warning. It's a horrible place to be and I'm right here with you. Hang in there and fill your life with happy busy things xxx

I agree with the others. At this stage there is variation. As for saying that you can't expect much at your age, what do we really know about older pregnancy? There are so few women who actually want to get pregnant in their forties, I'm sure what evidence there is must be based on tiny quantities of data.
Remember that feeling positive and supported is something that is supposed to reduce mc risk.

Yes that "don't expect to much at your age" person should go to the same Think Before You Open Your Mouth School as my "have you considered fostering?" midwife.

I would book a scan in 10 days or so for reassurance.

It's awful when the professionals are so pessimistic Gum. A strong heartbeat is a good thing & as we are always told, no two pregnancies are the same so who are they to say what's normal? Try to focus on the living bean inside you & send it lots of positive vibes.
I'm in the waiting room along with a gazillion other people. I've been told the consultant is running an hour behind which is frustrating but can't be helped. A couple of ladies coming out crying which is awful to see. I'm selfishly hoping the next one isn't me.

I suppose it was the lady's attitude which was upsetting

Has anyone else had a similar experience with a scan? I have never heard the yolk sac thing before so it came as a bit of a surprise when it was the first thing the utrasonographer said to me,"The yolk sac looks a bit on the large side", I asked if that was an issue and she said,"yes, a large sac usually means a bad outcome' - that's how the scan started. So I felt awful from the outset. Then when she said it measured 6+3 I just held it together until I got out of there. I wish she had told me the heart rate. She just said it was in the "healthy range".

Then I had to go out to the waiting room and pay for the scan. I had to try and do my PIN on the credit card whilst trying to suppress sobs and hold back tears. It was not a good experience.

I suppose it is the combination of "largish yolk sack" + 6 days difference in size that have me so concerned. She did add that the shape of the yolk sac was good and that it might just be "because of your age".

When I left her wise words were,"it's in the lap of the gods". That was helpful

I have phoned my Dr and she is going away tomorrow, the receptionist said the Dr would ring me if she needed to talk to me.

I guess I will use the other referral for another scan in about 10 days, I will have to hope it's not the same sonographer.

Sorry, Grizzer, meant to say I hope you have a wonderful scan, can't wait to hear.

Done a bit of googling Gum and while the yolk sack thing can be a concern it seems to be if it is MORE THAN 6mm that this is the case. Not massively reassuring but objectively you wouldn't have raised a murmur on either yolk or dates front in my neck of the woods x

Really, diege, does that mean I shouldn't worry?The sonographer seemed so negative. There was no positive tone,as I have had in the past when they've found baby's heartbeat. It was pretty negative from the start.

It's just that I don't want to be optimistic only to be disappointed. But we all know, no matter what, the disappointment cannot be avoided.

I shall just have to wait and see.

I think you will be worried regardless of stats etc Gum but if you go on that,misdiagnosed mc website there is a section on yolk sacks and it seems the outcomes are more positive than not x
Grizzer, sending positive vibes and prayers your way - such a nerve wracking experience these scans xx

gum I can only echo what the others have said - to me, it sounds as if the positives of your scan outweigh the supposed negatives by far. I have never heard of the yolk sac size making a difference, and at this early stage, being a few days out should be OK! Remember that it's still really early days, and I would also say that results between different sonographers can really vary, depending on how they measure. Yes, it should all be uniform, but let's face it, they are human after all.
I think your sonographer's comments were highly unprofessional She should know that such flippant, on-the-side remarks can be hugely upsetting. Chin up lovely! Try and get another scan in 10-14 days, if you can. And until then, remember that you saw a good heartbeat!

grizzer Everything crossed for your scan today, good luck! How far are you?!

Well, I've had some very unexpected good news yesterday. My EPU rang me and offered - yes, offered - me a reassurance scan, due to my history of recurring mc. I nearly fell off my chair! And it's on Saturday, so I don't have to take off any time from work! I had been fretting about calling them and beg for another scan, but then it all fell into my lap. Miracles can happen

Hope the scan went OK grizzler. X

cloud that's great about them asking you for a scan and Saturday is not far off!

My scan was good thank you all. I can't quite believe it! It was an internal one & as I lay there the consultant was silent for at least 2 minutes (felt like hours!). I was sure she was going to say there was nothing there but then she smiled, turned the screen to face me & I saw a baby & heartbeat!!! I just cried with relief. It is measuring 6 wks 6 days which is spot on.
She went through my history & reminded me we must take one day at a time but it all looks good for now. There was a lot of talk of screening & tests because I have had (& lost) a downs child before. I don't want to think about that for now. What will be will be but today all is well

Ahh, that's wonderful news Grizzer, so happy for you. And Cloud too with your scan appt.
Gum, really what you got from the sonographer was her opinion Had you seen someone else the facts could have been presented quite differently. ^^

great news grizzer

and gum i have read that sometimes sonographers measurements are subjective and can vary between different ones (even tho they use the machine to measure) and also the measurements can be skewed slightly if you have a tilted uterus or the embryo is lying a certain way in relation to the direction of the sound waves, so dont completely lose heart hunny.

(((hugs))) and soothing virtual strokes of the hair for you xxx

Fab news grizzer! Totally agree with taking one day at a time and crossing bridges when you get to them.

Fab news grizzler, what a relief .

Just to add Gum, my lady couldn't find my right ovary on the scan for ages. Said there were things in the way (I won't mention my bowel movements ). Of course she found it, but these scans are really unclear. Give it a week or so & things will be different.
Also (another drama story) a friend of mine was told during a scan her baby had dwarfism because it was measuring in all sorts of odd ways. She's now 4 & completely fine.
Glad you've got your follow up scan Cloud. Has the spotting stopped?

Grizzer - that is great news. So pleased for you.

Gum - sorry that you are not feeling so joyous, but I really think that it's not as bad as you think. You saw a strong heartbeat and that's a major hurdle. Size at this stage is so miniscule that the opportunity for variance must be huge. As the others say, get yourself another scan booked in a couple of weeks, and hopefully the good progress will continue.

Cloud - great to hear that you have a scan booked for the weekend. Hope it's another good one.

Annie - when is your next scan?

Is that all the preggers accounted for?? How are the still-ttc-ers getting on? Anyone coming up for testing? I've got my last shot at it tonight before dh goes away for 12 days. Then into the lovely 2ww!!

Grizzer, what a treat. Congratulations

My beta HcG from this morning was 566 and on Tuesday it was 272 so it has doubled nicely. I am stupidly thrilled after having suffered a mmc caused by a blighted ovum. I've also been offered a free scan at eight weeks so I'm happy and grateful.

Thinking of you Annie. Somehow your posts always make me chuckle, even when you have been talking about the sad things going on there is an effervescence in them that shines through. Hold on tight, love.

Fatty, hurrah for drying up! New beginnings and fresh eggs and sparkling opportunities

*Cloud, yippee for magnanimous epu's!

Joey, go get 'em girl!

Sorry flotillas I forgot to name check you in the pg group. So many now it's hard to keep up!! Great news about the doubling hcg and also having a scan lined up.

Who's next for testing/af due?

Great news Grizzer and Flotillas.

Thanks so much for the positive outlook. I do think the scan got off on a bad foot and kept going. When I got there she asked how many pregnancies I'd had, and when I told her this was my 10th as I'd miscarried four times, she asked when, I told her the last time had been a year before, and from then on she had a really negative attitude. She said something like,"well, you the stats for your age?". I said yes. I didn't say much at all, as I was afraid from the minute she opened her mouth.

When she started the scan it was almost as if she expected there to be no heartbeat. But rather than say it in a happy way, she measured the baby, then said,"oh, yes, there is a heartbeat, a healthy heartbeat" as if she didn't expect it. But that was the last thing rather than the first. So by the time I got to hear there was a healthy heartbeat,I'd already heard,"large sack, not a good sign" and" 6 weeks, 3 days, not as big as you'd expected." Nothing about the possibility there might be some variation at this point.

I was disappointed my Dr didn't call back to reassure me, but then again, the fact that she didn't call indicates that she doesn't think anything is wrong.

One day at a time, eh? Easier said than done.

I am not sure what to do about dates. Am I actually 6+4 today, or am I 7+3 (according to my dates)? I did have a little spotting at 13 dpo, so I wondered if that meant I had a late implanter? If it was just the size variation I wouldn't be so worried, it's the large yolk sac, which is indicative of chromosomal problems, that really has me frightened.

It might have been better to not have a scan at all...it just brought up so many questions.

gum I can't believe the treatment you and annie have had recently. Some people really need to learn how to be nice. I've just got back from my holidays and happy to see the thread move on so quickly. I know what chewy means but I do feel really positive with all the bfps as I move rapidly to my 43rd birthday.

I'm not sure if I mentioned that Af finally arrived around day 70. What a bloody waste of time. GP says I might be menapausal so have got to go back and see her next week. I'm back on the soy this month and I swear that it makes such a difference. My opks are getting darker and fingers crossed I will actually ovulate this month

Thanks Gerald. Sorry to hear you had such a long cycle, that would do my head in!

Well, after a very long search on the internet, reading many tales about large yolk sacs, thinking I have a 50/50 chance, I came across this article which made me feel much better. Even in advanced maternal age, after seeing a healthy heartbeat and having a measurement of 2-6mm for the yolk sac, my chance of success is 82%, which is much better than I expected.

I guess it all depends on the next scan.