Collapsed corpus luteum

[SkyBlue20]

Hi all,
I’m 7+1 at the moment and had an early private scan yesterday evening just to check everything was ok and viable, they dated baby at 6weeks, which is fine as I thought I ovulated quite late, and there was a nice strong heartbeat, which was fab. However, the Sonographer said that it appears I have a collapsed corpus luteum. She specifically said it isn’t anything to worry about but obviously I went off and Googled, which I must stop doing, and you find all these horror stories! I rang the midwife this morning just to explain and see what’s what and if there’s anything I should be aware of, however they weren’t much use - just said I should wait until my dating scan (which I don’t have a date for yet) and when I asked if there’s any risk to the baby the girl (who I think was a receptionist but she had been consulting with somebody whilst I was on hold) said ‘Urm, I don’t think so, no’ 🤦🏻‍♀️
So I know I probably shouldn’t worry as nobody seems particularly panicked, but I’m finding myself so anxious about every little thing at the moment (first baby), I just wondered if anyone has any experience with it at all?
Thank you!

I had a corpus luteum cyst, some women don't. They generally disappear around 12 weeks, I guess yours is disappearing earlier? Sorry I don't know the ins and outs, but if some women don't have one the fact that yours has already collapsed shouldn't be an issue? I'm not a medical professional, but that just seems logical.

Thanks @Rubyroost. From what I read, the corpus luteum provides specific things to the baby until the placenta takes over, which is when the corpus luteum dissolves, so the problem can be if it goes too early, before the placenta is able to takeover. But tbh I have no idea, the internet is so full of conflicting advice 🤷🏻‍♀️

But then if some people don’t have them then it can’t be as important as people have made out?! I have no idea, hopefully will learn more when I eventually see my midwife/have my 12 week scan!

Ahh ok so apparently we all have corpus luteum when pregnant but for some people a cyst forms on that. I don't think my Sonographer mentioned a cyst but I guess I’ll know more at my next scan. Thank you for navigating this with me!

Ahhh okay, well I assumed that's what she meant as they have to tell you you have a corpus luteum cyst, I'd assumed she meant that the cyst had ruptured or broken down. 🤷‍♀️

I personally would ring the private company up and ask them to explain a bit more. I did that with one of my private scans and they were really good at getting back to me. Stops you worrying all the way until dating scan x

@SkyBlue20 I am pretty sure it means you had a cyst and it has collapsed - your corpus luteum is fine. I also have a cyst, and I've been told that it will either stay until 12-14 weeks and then collapse, or will collapse earlier - neither poses any problem to the baby as the corpus luteum itself is still in place.

Thanks both 😘

Hi, new to mumsnet and expecting my first baby 👶 I’m current 6+1. I had an early scan yesterday due to light spotting and abdominal cramps.
Just like @SkyBlue20 the sonographer told me I have a collapsed corpus luteum. I went away and googled everything, and it done nothing other than panic me.
I don’t have a MW yet but managed to speak to a local on duty MW. She said that due to my age (38 year old fitness instructor) my ovary is probably ‘on the way out’ and agreed that yes, progesterone levels are probably less than they should be. The only advice given was don’t overdo it and refrain from inter course!! Sorry TMI!!
Just so interested to know how things are going @SkyBlue20 did you get any answers? Hope all is well x

Hi @bexabail, congratulations on your pregnancy. I’m afraid it wasn’t good news from me - I never did get any answers about the collapsed corpus luteum but did have a missed miscarriage diagnosed at my 12 week scan (baby had stopped growing at 9 weeks). I have no idea if it had anything to do with my MMC and sadly don’t think I ever will know. The good news is that I’m now around 10 weeks pregnant again, have had two scans, no signs of a collapsed corpus luteum and baby looks healthy.
I’m really sorry I couldn’t be any more reassuring, I know how absolutely awful it was being told that and not being able to find any information and my midwife was useless when I asked (though the sonographer stressed it was nothing to worry about). I really hope you can speak to someone and get some real answers and that everything goes well for you in your pregnancy xx

@SkyBlue20 so sorry to hear about your missed miscarriage. That must have been such an awful time for you. However, sounds as though your current pregnancy is going just perfect, congratulations!!
I’m going to take it easy and try to keep positive. I have the direct dial for my local early pregnancy unit and won’t be afraid to call them if I notice any changes.
Fingers crossed for us both xx

Thank you, @bexabail 💕 Definitely take it easy, stay positive and absolutely ring if you have any queries or anything - I think it’s far too easy to be fobbed off at the moment with covid so you just have to push for it. Also, if your progesterone is low, I know a lot of people get given pessaries to help with that, so definitely worth asking! Hope everything goes really well for you, do let me know how you get on xx

I certainly will @SkyBlue20 thank you so much 💕

Hi @bexabail, just wondered how you’re getting on? Must be coming up to 12 weeks now? 🤞🏼

Hi @SkyBlue20, well, I’m 12 weeks and I have my scan on Monday... I’m still feeling all the symptoms of pregnancy so hopefully will be a good outcome. I will let you know.
How are you getting on? X

@bexabail That’s fab! Hope all goes well on Monday, sure it will ☺️ All good here, thank you - 16 weeks today. Strange time as don’t feel pregnant with most symptoms gone and no movement felt so can’t help but worry after my previous experience but assuming all is fine and have a private scan booked in a couple of weeks so have that to look forward to. Good luck with the scan xx

I promised to let you know how I got on @SkyBlue20... well, had our 12 week scan today. All measurements and movements etc were perfect. Baby was moving and behaving really well 😁 I was re-dated at 13 weeks.
The sonographer also re-scanned my left ovary where said ‘collapsed corpus luteum’ was supposed to be. The scan was completely normal. So apparently ‘collapsed corpus luteum’ is an old term that refers to the empty shell where the egg is released. It’s visible in early pregnancy (6 weeks when visible for me) then disappears later in pregnancy. No abnormality whatsoever. Just a situation of confusing the patient!
I really hope your scan goes well @SkyBlue20. Do let us know how you get on 💕💕

Amazing, @bexabail, I’m so happy for you - and amazing that you got dared a week ahead, that’s the dream! Thanks for letting me know what they said about the collapsed corpus luteum too, such a simple explanation, you do wonder why they even mention it on the scans - surely everyone who is pregnant has one?! My private scan is next Friday, will let you know how it goes - will be finding out the sex all being well!
Thanks for letting me know how you got on, really pleased for you 🥰

I had previous 2 mmc,therefore early pregnancy unit started an early scan which was last Friday. I was told by the sonologisy,everything was fine (viable pregnancy 5.5 week),there is an involuting/collapsing corpus luteum in my left ovary.I was so excited about the news ,I didn't bother to ask them about collapsed corpus luteum.When I came home and was discussing the scan result,Collapsed corpus luteum " strike on my mind (we are not gynocologist but both of us are doctors).However,We came into conclusion that it anything was abnormal ,they would have told us.
Last night before going to bed,I noticed little spotting .I was shocked and frustrated and didn't know how to pull my pieces together. Hubby is working on night shift and he is away from home.I contacted early pregnancy unit and they asked me to go over for a check up..Since today is a bank holiday,there would be no scan.I refused internal exam as we would not be able to conclude anything unless the cervix is open(also there was no female doctor around).They offered me another scan on Tuesday and offered me some progesterone suppositories but guess what?By that time pharmacy was closed.Such an awful time to go through this. I hope everyone is having a nice and quiet time at home .

My apology for a long post on a Christmas day.I had no one to share this and this is the place where I always feel supported!

Good wishes to everyone who are pregnant and who are trying to conceive

Hi. I also have a collapsed corpus luteum. So now waiting for my miscarriage.