IVF pregnancy measuring behind

[Shannon77652]

Hi everyone.

looking for some advice/guidance as I’ve nowhere else to turn and I’ve googled to the ends of the earth to find information.

I started my IVF ICSI cycle on the 4th May 2023. I had a six day embryo transfer and got a positive. I had a lot of bleeding at the beginning and it settled. And more bleeding again which led me to go to my nearest A&E as I feared I was miscarrying or having an ectopic pregnancy. Pregnancy was ok but they wanted me back in 10 days to rescan as it was not measuring where it should have been. Prepared myself for the worst. Onto my 7 week scan at my fertility clinic, they agreed and said baby was measuring 6 days behind and to prepare myself for the worst. Also noted slow fetal heart rate although it wasn’t measured, prepared for the worst again. 3 days later I had my scan at my local hospital following the 10 day wait. Baby was measuring more than double the size it did 3 days prior, and they said it had a strong fetal heartbeat and couldn’t see why the fertility clinic thought I was going to miscarry. Although still measuring 5 days behind. She explained to me that measuring behind at this stage wasn’t anything to worry about. I don’t have another scan now for two weeks, I’ll be 10 weeks by then. But my anxiety is through the roof.

just wondering if anyone has went through something similar and had either good outcomes or bad outcomes?

im still feeling Ill although not much and still have breast tenderness. Just hoping for the best outcome.

TIA

Hi there. I’m sorry you’re going through this. I wanted to reply because I had my seven week scan this week. My embryo is measuring a couple of days behind and the consultant (who specialises in early pregnancy) was unconcerned. I’m a worrier so looked for extra reassurance. She said that, at this stage, as long as it was measuring within a week of your dates, it was nothing to worry about.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed for you. x

Hi, I’m frantically searching posts for reassurance.

We’re pregnant via IVF - 5 day transfer on the 29/07 so yesterday was 5w5d

I have spent all week in and out of hospital! After an emergency appointment last week due to what I was worried could be a UTI, little ache in my back. Definitely overreacted as the ache subsided 4 hours later. No bleeding, no pain, no shoulder tip pain etc.

Fast forward to follow ups this week:
Tuesday - early scan 5w1d nothing visible but they argued my levels were strong so should see something. A random doctor said “definitely tubal miscarriage and you need emergency surgery tonight” which I raised with a different doctor and she said “no both tubes are clear” - I repeated I am pain and bleeding free! So I self discharged as I wasn’t confident with their diagnosis when there isn’t any proof!
Thursday - repeat bloods (doubled), follow up scans both TVS & AB with a doctor from our fertility clinic present and they said I was right to decline surgery as they believe they can see the start of the pregnancy.
Yesterday - repeat bloods (doubled) and 3 scans 1 TVS and 2 AB the sonographer was thorough, kind and said she can see what they’ve seen it’s just hard to get a clear image as it’s high up, I’m swollen, free fluid from the retrieval and a wonky womb. She mentioned from the measurements it’s around 5w though.

They agreed to let me have my follow up scan with my IVF clinic (supposed to be tomorrow as an earlier one due to the palava this week) but my original is Thursday 24/8 and I feel I should let my body rest and just have the one on Thursday and what’s meant to be will be. The scans just distress me and 4/5 days is longer for this to develop and show.

Any advice, suggestions, success stories are strongly welcomed because I’m driving myself mad on Dr Google!

Same thing with me. I was 6+6 at my early scan, and the doctor said it was measuring at 6+4, and sometimes 6+5, depending on the angle!
She was completely unconcerned, and said everything looked fine, in her professional opinion of someone who does early pregnancy scans for a living (this was at the fertility clinic)

She also said that the measurements are so milimetric, that even half a milimiter can make a difference, but it doesnt mean much.

@LunaPuggies22 - I'm sorry it's been so stressful for you! I haven't experienced quite the same but all I know is that scans before 7 weeks are very variable and so many doctors will come to different conclusions. Hopefully your scan in a few days time will be more reliable. Early pregnancy is the most difficult time - I found the waiting (after so much waiting already in the ivf process) almost unbearable. Sending you all the best wishes.

@amyg1985 thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it.

It really has been so distressing. I think the early scans do cause more anxiety because they expect every pregnancy to be textbook perfect!

What baffles me the most is how the first doctor diagnosed a tubal miscarriage with no evidence whatsoever. Then when I said “so have both embryo’s gone for wander” he said “oh is this IVF double transfer?”
He then said “it must be ectopic PUL” but his lack of proper investigation just made me lose confidence. Every doctor after was scratching their head as to why he said that. He had no idea about it being IVF, said all these symptoms (which I had none of)!!

If we hadn’t of been so cautious due to it being our first IVF, the only embryo’s we had transferred (none in the freezer) and would have just ignored the little ache until it subsided. We’d still be sitting here just waiting for our first scan without all this awful anxiety. I’m just going to trust my body and hope the next 4/5 days it makes the magic happen ✨ I’m not doing any more tests as my HCG levels are high and doubling every 48hours!

@LunaPuggies22 - I hope everything goes well. I do think IVF clinics have a lot of experience with early pregnancy scans and will give you a better view.

@ASGIRC - pleased it wasn't just me! At my 12 week scan baby had caught up and was actually two days ahead. They are so small at 7 weeks, even if it did surprise me how much they look like babies already!

@amyg1985 LOL mine didn't look like a baby at all!!! More like a chrysalis! But I have another scan at 9 weeks (also at the clinic) and at that one I expect ir to look like a tiny baby!! 😂😂😂