slow heartbeat at 9 weeks/ what to expect from a MC

[TristanFarnon]

I have had spotting and cramping through this pregnancy, and a scan last week showed me to be 8 weeks pregnant with a good strong heartbeat. The bleeding continued, and a second scan today has shown that the foetus has grown by about the expected amount, but the heartbeat is very weak, about half the rate they would expect. The hospital seem totally certain that this is the end and the pregnancy is very, very unlikely to continue. I'll be back in next week for another scan.

I am not looking for false hope, I feel resigned, but I would love to hear from anyone who has experience of a slow fetal heartbeat, whatever to outcome. Also from anyone would could tell me what to expect from a MC at 9 weeks? Thank you in advance, I feel like I am going to be in for a very long week.

Hello, I'm so sorry you're going through this. The waiting is unbearable. I really do hope you get good news.

I don't want to be negative but as you asked for experiences of loss at nine weeks, I'll share mine and at the same time we can hope you don't have to go through the same. My MC started with some brown discharge on Friday afternoon. I wasn't overly worried as I'd had this at exactly the same time with DS who was born happy and healthy. I also reassured myself with the old adage that 'brown blood = old blood' and is therefore nothing to be concerned about. Wrong. The brown blood turned red within 24 hours. I still had no cramps so was worried but still had a glimmer of hope.

It wasn't until I'd had my EPU scan on the Monday that the lack of heartbeat was confirmed. I miscarried naturally at home; the worst of it was on the Wednesday. It was like a very heavy, painful period but manageable with painkillers, lots of pads, crap TV, good snacks, wine, gin and a very supportive DH. It took two weeks for me to get a negative pregnancy test. The bleeding lasted about eight days.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. Please keep us updated and use this board for support; it is wonderful.