Small gestational sac at 7 weeks

[calmcat]

Hi, i just wondered if anyone has any advice. I started faint pale brown spotting last week, that was on and off and got a bit darker but still brown. I went to EPU this morning and they said i have to go back in 2 weeks for a repeat scan because i cant be as far along as i think because the gestational sac is only 4.7mm. They dismissed me when i said my OH is away a lot so i know when we had sex and sperm only live for up to 5 days so i know i should be between ~6+5 and 7+2 pregnant. So i am actually very concerned that i have/am about to miscarry because the maths doesn't stack for this small sac to be anything other than a problem. From what i understand this next scan in 2 weeks is really to make sure that they are correct when they tell you you have miscarried because policy was updated in the last few years to make sure that viable pregnancies were not written off in the very small number of cases where this kind of issue is not a failed pregnancy. Does anyone have any experience of this. To add to this i am supposed to have my booking appointment tomorrow but i feel like its pointless now.

Hey @calmcat!

Just wanted to respond to your post as saw noone else had yet, but I'm sure someone else will be along shortly to add their experiences and advice!

I've been in the same boat once and it was a MC after brown spotting started at 8 weeks. Measured behind as well but they could see a HB which was super slow so they already told me then and there it was a miscarriage. Had to go back a week or 2 later to have it confirmed. I had hoped for a better outcome as there can always be miracles but it wasn't that time for me.

What they want to see is growth and I think if they'd have thought for certain it's a miscarriage they would've said that to you? I don't know but that's my personal opinion.

I know waiting is very hard! But we are on here for support! I'd definitely go to your appointment tomorrow as that's what these are there for and the midwife should be able to help you!

Keep us posted x

@LASandOtto and @Loti92 thank you for your responses.

They couldn't see a baby or a heartbeat, just the smaller than expected sac. If i could physically be less pregnant than i think, then it would make sense but i know i am not less than 5 weeks, we haven't has sex since 29th August, the hospital ignored this fact, also the sonographer was whispering to the nurse when i was getting dressed, i wish they wouldn't do that, they might just have been saying "lets get a cuppa" but your mind goes crazy.
You are right they said we have nothing to compare it to so the next scan will show growth or not. So the sac being so small can't be because of me getting dates wrong and i feel like its not right too.
The spotting got darker but not heavier and i had some this morning when until then it was only in the evening so it is more frequent too, but they said not to worry as long as its not red or heavy. I haven't really checked it much today but i am getting mild cramps but this could be due to the internal ultrasound but i think i got them in the night but cant be sure i wasn't dreaming it.
This 2 weeks of waiting is going to be long, unless nature takes it course in a more obvious fashion, or this is a miracle story and there is a healthy baby despite the odds.

I'm sorry you're going through this @calmcat ❤️

I've been through this twice this year and had bad news both times. But, I have seen other people who had positive outcomes, a lot can change in 2 weeks. I hoped for the best but prepared for the worst. For both pregnancies I had to go back and had 3 scans for each one.

I found Tommy's were really helpful and called their helpline this time (I'm 4 weeks post mc).

Be kind to yourself, sending love x

Hi All
Update- i saw the midwife and had a proper chat, she agreed with me that if i am certain if my dates then this is highly likely not going to end well. I have heavier spotting.
She advised me on going to A&E if i start bleeding and what the outcomes will be. I feel better armed with knowledge.
I have my 2nd scan on 17th now not the 21st so its less time to wait. I feel like i am in limbo waiting for the miscarriage to start and want it to just be over so we can try again. I am terrified of general anaesthetic if i need a procedure to remove it all.
@VenusStarr did you have a procedure or did it happen naturally?
I also feel desperately sad.
I'm at work, they are all concerned as i told them i had a gastric bug and i still look awful and i'm NEVER sick. We are a tiny company though so i don't really want to share it and will avoid unless i have to. My boss has told me to go home and i will at 2pm because right now i need the distraction and also if i do end up in A&E having a heavy bleed i want to use time for that- if you see what i mean and i feel like a fraud with my pretend "gastric bug". I know i am entitled to time but i feel like i am in control this way. My OH is being so lovely, it is bringing us closer and i am 40 and we conceived without even any effort so all of these are positives.

Hi @calmcat I miscarried naturally both times, I didn't need to go to A+E either time. One they started, I dosed myself up on painkillers and used a heat bag for the cramps. I found I wanted to be near the bathroom when I was contracting.

I'm so sorry you're going through this 💜 do what you need to get through this, but don't put pressure on yourself to be OK or rush back to 'normal'. I'm struggling this time round and I had longer off work this time. Take care xx

@VenusStarr, thank you for sharing this with me as i understand fully now what it means emotionally to go through this, which i didn't before, just like everyone else.
The midwife told me i must go to A&E which scared me a bit. I think i would prefer to just stay home unless its obvious that the bleeding is too much. I have the can on the 17th, in an ideal world it will happen naturally and the scan will confirm i'm fine.
I have M&S chocolate swiss roll in the fridge at home. Thinking about eating that later is really comforting me, the small pleasures are the nicest.
I'll buy some paracetamol and get the water bottle and heat-able bean bag ready.

I was petried with my first as nhs 111 had told me the same about A+E. I believe if you are bleeding and filling more than a pad an hour then you do need medical attention.

I ended up miscarrying around 9 weeks for both and my follow up scans confirmed everything was complete which definitely helped. Stock up on sanitary towels too.

Anything that provides comfort definitely helps, I lived in my joggers for quite a while. I think once the physical side of things happened I then was able to start processing and grieving, it's almost too much when you're still in limbo x

Hi

I have a similar situation. I had an early scan which I thought I was 7 weeks and all they could see was a sac and a yolk sac. They rescanned two weeks and two days later (today) which I know im around 8w3d and I used ovulation kits and stopped dtd after. I measured 6w3d there's a heartbeat but something must be wrong or why would the baby be two weeks behind. The midwife just sent me home they weren't very helpful at all.

Its so horrible being unsure.

@calmcat I'm sorry you are going through this!! X

@Tashadream
I think as you have a heartbeat and they have seen a change compared to your last scan that is a good sign. Also remember that it can take a little time for the egg to make it down the fallopian tube. I discussed all this with my midwife but even so the time gap is too long for me. Take some heart these scans can be a bit out but i also agree with you that i knew my dates exactly and they ignore you as if you are a silly girl who couldn't possibly know and leave you in limbo to be hopeful and come back later.
Have they offered you another scan? If not i would push for one.

@calmcat I know they really do act like you don't know anything! No but I'm going to push for one next week. It's hard to allow yourself to stay positive. I spoke to Tommy's who were so lovely and said 2 weeks isnt great but you just never know.

I had a misscarriage two years and went to A+E and it wasn't too bad so if you do have to go try not to worry, but I agree it would be better to stay at home.
Take care of yourself x

I havnt got any advise as such for you but I definitely know where your coming from with the lack of support. I had a MMC before my youngest I literally found out I was pregnant worked out around 6 weeks started bleeding went to EPU had an internal scan and she basically called me a liar and said I wasnt even pregnant.. I had done several tests including a Clear Blue Digital which wouldn't bring up pregnant and weeks If hcg wasnt present. I got made to feel like shit. Anyway the doctors sent me for blood tests to check and I was indeed pregnant but had a mmc before the scan hence nothing was seen. I wish I had gone back into there and shoved the blood results in her face! I hate the fact of sympathy or anything that some of them have for ladys who are having a difficult time early on In pregnancy. I hope you get good news on your next scan xx