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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Small foetus at 7 week scan - any advice?

12 replies

JudeB · 03/03/2004 11:34

Had an early scan yesterday at 7.5 weeks due to a day of bleeding (very dark, small amount). The midwife thought she could detect a heartbeat but said it was difficult to tell as the foetus was very small for my dates at only 5.5mm. I was told that either I have my dates wrong (pretty positive I haven't) or the pregnancy isn't progressing so m/c seems probable.
Has this happened to anyone else? I am going back again next week for another scan but am now going through hell as she didn't seem very positive.

Any advice?

p.s. Had a previous m/c before my DD (3yrs) at about the same time - just a coincidence?

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sykes · 03/03/2004 11:37

I had the same thing - went to the Birthright Centre in London for an internal scan - did you have an internal scan? Also took blood tests - soemthing to do with hormones or something and whether pregnancy viable - I think. Anyway, she's now two-years old. Also have had two miscarriages before. Hope it all works out for you, lots of luck - can you get an appointment earlier or something.

twiglett · 03/03/2004 11:39

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twiglett · 03/03/2004 11:39

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Original poster

JudeB · 03/03/2004 11:44

Yes, Sykes, it was internal scan - had to put my hands under my bum before she could get a good picture!

Twiglett, blood started as dark red then went to brown. I thought it could be implantation bleeding too (had that before!) but m/w seemed more concerned about size of foetus than the bleeding. Basing my date from last period - pretty sure I ovulate around day 13/14 - though not definite although didn't have sex after then!

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Original poster

JudeB · 03/03/2004 11:47

They detected a heartbeat at 6.5 weeks with my first (failed) pregnancy - had bleeding that time too. So unfortunately that isn't a definite that it will continue.

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Quackers · 03/03/2004 11:54

It's a tough one as you're now waiting to know for sure now and my thoughts are with you. I am just wondering how she 'thought' she could see a heartbeat, but given that she had trouble getting a good picture, then I presume it must have been a grey area and she couldn't confirm this. I'm surprised she didn't get a second opinion from a sonographer though. I would ask for blood tests too 3 days apart to see if the hormones are rising but given that they have booked you in again I presume in a week?? then they probably won't do a blood test. It's cruel cos that that would be quicker than waiting a week for a scan - if that's how long you have to wait. Take care and i really hope it's good news for you. xx

Quackers · 03/03/2004 11:57

Re heartbeats, I have a great website saved on my PC at home with some very informative stuff about sizes, heartbeats etc... specifically for sonographers. I'm at work and can't find it, so will try to post it for you later. It depends on the number of beats that are beating per minute. As you say you had a heartbeat before and the poor lamb didn't survive.

Original poster

JudeB · 03/03/2004 12:13

Sounds like a good site to look at - will await your posting, thanks.

She definitely saw a grey 'fleck' but given the size was unsure about the heart (although my DH thought he saw a regular pulsing). Next scan is in a week - a long one at that. And something is happening with my hormones as I feel sick as a pig - either a good sign or a cruel joke.

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Quackers · 03/03/2004 13:17

Oh Jude it really does sound promising you know. I will try and post tonight, might be late and I don't know if it will help you. You just can't be sure about ovulation and when you conceived etc.. also I was told by my consultant they allow 7 days either side, don't know if that's further on but my baby was coming out smaller at 16 and a half weeks ,was showing as 15.5 so you never know!

Quackers · 03/03/2004 21:12

Hi JudeB, as promised. It's quite encouraging actually. It concludes that a heartbeat can be seen when the embryo is 5mm and that if the embryo has reached 6mm and there's no heatbeat then it is a m/c. Some useful bits on heartbeats too, but I know you didn't see how fast it was. I don't know if it helps you, but I referred to it a few times in early pgcy. Let us know how you get on. xxxx
early pgcyinfo

Sunshine123 · 03/03/2004 21:40

JudeB - can appreciate your anguish. With my dd i bled dark brown blood almost every other day until i got to 3 months, each time you bleed you're left thinking 'is this it this time' so i know how horrible all the waiting is. I had an early scan at 7 weeks and the foetus was so small that they couldn't detect a heartbeat nor could they really see anything other than the gestation sac which in itself was quite inconclusive. They said that because the gestation sac was still there then that was a good sign and when i had another scan a week later all was well even though i bled again and again and ended up with more scans. Dark brown blood is better than fresh blood, so i was told, i'll have my fingers crossed for you anyway just try to take it easy.

Original poster

JudeB · 04/03/2004 07:49

Quackers - thanks for the info - looks like I need to get to 8 weeks so fingers crossed for scan next week.

Sunshine, thank you! You've made me feel more positive as your scan experience is very similar to mine. Had a bit more bleeding this morning but again brown & very small & can't believe something isn't happening as I feel SO sick.

Thanks for all your positive thoughts - I will let you know.

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