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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

No fetal heartbeat at 6 weeks

40 replies

Frederique · 27/09/2006 14:02

Hi - I need support from anybody who has been in this situation and for whom it has turned out OK. I believe to be 6+ weeeks pregnant. I am pretty sure of my dates and also I had a positive pregnancy test exactly 2 weeks ago so I must be at least 6 weeks or else the test would have been too early to be positive? I had an early scan last night because of my history (2 miscarriages - but also 3 children 7,5 and 2)and they found a sack and something inside but no visible heartbeat. The doctor was vague and wants to rescan next week. Is there a chance it was indeed too early to pick up the heartbeat? Thank You for any help!!!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

pepperpots · 27/09/2006 14:04

When was your last af and how long roughly are your cycles?

anniediv · 27/09/2006 14:06

I had an early scan at 7 weeks last year, and was warned before hand I would be very lucky to see a heartbeat, so maybe it is too early for you? Sorry, I don't want to give you false hope, that is just my experience. Hope it turns out the way you want

Original poster

Frederique · 27/09/2006 14:06

My cycles are usually 28-30 days - sorry, what's an af?

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nikie1 · 27/09/2006 14:06

well normally before eight weeks they have to do an internal one because the baby is to small so im sure in your case the babys to small to detect a heart beat yet good luck keep me posted

harpsichordcarrier · 27/09/2006 14:07

yes, it might have been too early for a heartbeat. Did you have an internal scan? they can pick up more.
at this stage it is really wait and see.
I wouldn't use the +ve test as a guide though, because the level of hormones can vary.
have you had any other symptoms - cramping, bleeding?
sorry you are in such a worrying position, it's grim isn't it, having to wait

pepperpots · 27/09/2006 14:07

Af - Aunty flo (period)

Bellie · 27/09/2006 14:07

I was told that it was too early to pick up a heartbeat at 6 weeks, and I had to wait until 7.
Fingers crossed xx

harpsichordcarrier · 27/09/2006 14:08

af = your period
(if you look at the top of the page under Useful Stuff there is an acronym list which might help to make sense of the nonsense we all talk )

carrotcake · 27/09/2006 14:10

Scan couldn't see my 1st pg at 6 weeks, and went on to have unnecessary operation for ectopic, later scan showed I was earlier, despite having 28 day cycle? I've read lots of threads on mumsnet though that could see a sac but no heartbeat for ages, it is very early, good luck!

Original poster

Frederique · 27/09/2006 14:13

Thank you all - pepperpot my last af was 16 August.
I did have an internal scan which is why I thought it could pick up a heartbeat at 6 weeks - it did for my baby n0 3. So I guess the question is:

could I be less than 6 weeks and the test picked up my pg very early? or
could I be 6 weeks and the heartbeat is there just not yet visible?

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Twohoots · 27/09/2006 14:17

You could be earlier than six wks pregnant yes - I did a pregnancy test when I was 10 post ovulation and it came up positive so I wasn't near 6 wks at that time but then I had a scan at exactly 6 wks and they picked up a h/b (they did tell me I was v lucky to see it so early though). And yes, you could be 6 wks and h/b not visible yet - good sign that the sac and yolk are there though. Fingers x that it works out OK next week. I think that they give up until 7.5 wks to see a h/b.

good luck x

ShowOfHands · 27/09/2006 14:21

If your last af started on August 16th you are only just 6wks so it may indeed be early for a h/b on a scan. I'm 6+6 and will be having an early scan but not until next week as they think it's a bit too early at the moment.

Hoping it works out for you.

pepperpots · 27/09/2006 14:23

I work it out that you are just over five weeks 5+4 so i'm wouldn't be surprised if the h/beat just couldn't be seen yet. Are you having any symptoms? Although i might be wrong and i don't want to give you false hope i think you could just be a little less pg then you thought

lulumama · 27/09/2006 14:25

happened to me in both pregnancies - at 6 & 5 weeks respectively , agonizing wait for 7 days until next scan, but both times, all ok and could see heart beat, all ended up fine! fingers crossed for you too.xx and my cycles 28 days exactly so don't stress too much...hope you get the news you want next time (hug)

Original poster

Frederique · 27/09/2006 14:29

Thanks so much everybody - it is reassuring. no false hopes but it helps me not being 100%negative about it all.
i have no cramps or bleeding, but I did not either when I had my 2nd miscarriage.
Does anybody know how early a home pg test can pick up the pg hormone. I always thought it was 14 days after conception?

OP posts:

pepperpots · 27/09/2006 14:30

What test did you use?

Original poster

Frederique · 27/09/2006 14:31

First Response

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Twohoots · 27/09/2006 14:35

As i said in my earlier post. I was 10 days past ovulation and it picked up my pregnancy - was first response too.

Original poster

Frederique · 27/09/2006 14:39

lulumama and anyone who has had to wait in that limbo state where you don' know if you are still pg or not...any tips for not going insane until next week? My eldest are school but I have my little one to look after and I have been crying most of today...

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fluffyslippers · 27/09/2006 14:45

Been in a similar position recently, went for internal scan at (what I thought was) 6 weeks and all they could see was a sac and they said it was not right for 6 weeks. Went back a week later for another scan (the worst week's waiting ever) and the sac had grown and inside they could see fetal pole and heartbeat and the sonographer said I was only between 5-6 weeks. So I was less pg than I thought, my cycle was irregular so this is probably why.

fairyjay · 27/09/2006 14:49

Couldn't pick up heartbeat at 6 wks. at my first pregnancy, but it was there at 7 wks.

Good luck!

Original poster

Frederique · 27/09/2006 15:02

Can't thank you all enough - it is really good to know that all may not be lost.

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dejags · 27/09/2006 15:07

Hi Frederique,

I am in a similar situation - except I have been cramping and had some very light spotting. I am 5+3.

My gynae (who I know and trust) says that she never performs an early scan until 6+4 and that sometimes this is too early.

Take heart that the sac was there with contents. Good luck.

dejags · 27/09/2006 15:08

Btw - I had an internal scan (performed by another gynae as I am abroad) today. He saw the gestational sac, so I was happy that it's not an ectopic pregnancy. He gave me some very outdated advice so I called my usual doctor in South Africa and she told me about her rule of 6+4

Original poster

Frederique · 27/09/2006 15:18

Thank You dejags and good luck to you - If that helps, I had spotting and bad cramping in the first few weeks (around 5 or 6) of my first pregnancy, which went on to full term and my son is now nearly 7. I am keeping everything crossed for you!

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