Slow growing foetus - any hope?

[isitwinetimeyet16]

Hello all,

Posting on here for any hand holding and similar stories - good or bad.

I had a mmc in May this year - saw a HB at a scan around 6.5 weeks, no bleeding or pain but went for another scan two weeks later to be told the baby had died. Just thought it was horrible bad luck - I already have a 2year old DD so was hoping there were no underlying issues.

I got pregnant again in June - know I OV a week later than I would have expected, around the 21st. Got a positive pregnancy test on 2nd July, very faint.

I had an early scan on the 18th July and was measured around 5+4, definite heartbeat and possibly a twin in the same sac so she wanted to see me again a week later to check.

I went back on Tuesday (so 7 days later) and definitely no twin. She said the baby had grown but not by as much as expected - she put the sac at 6+6 but the foetus at 6+3. Still a strong HB of 121.

She said this wasn't a good sign and I am now so worried that I'm going to miscarry again. There were the usual caveats - it's so small, hard to get an accurate measurement etc - but she said she would put my odds around 70/30 in favour of the pregnancy continuing.

Am absolutely terrified that I will lose this one again - has anyone experienced anything similar?

I'm really confused. You went back 7 days later and saw 6 days growth? That doesn't seem concerning to me... these measurements are so tiny, it's hard to be 100% accurate. My second scan was a day behind too (compared to the previous one) and the midwife wasn't worried at all - I'm now 14+4 and have jumped forward an entire week!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not downplaying it - I had a MMC last year and we had slow growth leading up to it, but baby was measuring 2 weeks behind by the time of our first scan and only grew 3 days in a week (even though we had a heartbeat). I'm surprised your midwife is so worried.

Thank you so much for replying @peachgreen. I did think it didn't seem like a huge amount but the doctor did say she was concerned (was a gynaecologist, the same one who managed my mmc in May rather than a midwife). I don't know whether it was more of a concern that the sac was measuring 6+6 and the foetus only 6+3? I wish I'd asked more questions now but I was so upset at the time I couldn't focus on anything.

So sorry about your mmc last year - great news you're now in the second trimester with another one. :)

I agree with peachgreen. I think that's an unduly pessimistic view from the sonogragher if it is based solely on growth. A millimetre or two can make a big difference in the early weeks and there is certainly margin for error. I was told that 3-4 days either side is fine.

Apparently eating or drinking something sugary before the scan can uncurl the embryo for a better measurement. Maybe try that before the next scan.

Wishing you lots of luck. I know how frightening these early weeks can be.

Thank you so much for your kind words @tigerdog - that made me a bit tearful. I will definitely try that!

Hi There,

I feel your pain, am going through a very similar situation myself.I am 11 weeks pregnant with my ray of sunshine, I have had scans at 7,8&10 weeks to be told at each scan that my babies sac is measuring 2 weeks behind that it should be. I have been overwhelmed with worry that everything is going to be ok. I was told at 7 weeks that I could end up miscarrying x I have another scan at 12 weeks & am clinging 2 every bit of hope x