Confused after early scan

[PhoebeBuffey]

Hi all

My husband and I recently decided that we would start trying for a baby.

We were thrilled to get a BFP last week, and I have since taken another test which confirmed the pregnancy. Conception would have either been Christmas day or a couple of days after. I'm terrible at tracking my periods but am sure my last one was around 23rd November 2020. From all of the guidance I have read, this would make me 7 weeks pregnant.

I had an early scan today as I'm a worrier and was convinced that it couldn't be that easy. The sonographer had a hard time finding anything and did an internal scan, which confirmed there was a gestational sac in my uterus. She said that 'something was going on in the sac" but that it was too early to tell. She also mentioned that she could see the yolk sac.

My understanding is that, by this stage, we should have been able to see the foetal pole and likely a heartbeat. I'm terrified that there is something wrong and that the baby (if we can call it that yet) has stopped growing.

Has anyone been in this situation, or could offer any advice? I'm 33 and this is my first pregnancy, incase that's relevant.

Thanks!

Unfortunately you don’t know exactly when your last period was and therefore you don’t know when you ovulated. As such, you could be anywhere from 4-7 weeks.

The only option at this stage I’m afraid is to return for another scan in a couple of weeks when hopefully there will be progress.

Why did you take so long to test out of interest? How strong were the lines when you did? And what brand?

From what I understand of scans at this stage it is quite normal if nothing much other than the sac is seen even if it is an internal. I used fertility treatment and went for a scan around 7 weeks and was warned that I probably wouldn't see much (internal scan as standard at my clinic) and told to definitely not expect a heartbeat. I was very lucky as I did actually see a very tiny heartbeat and the nurse was extremely surprised because it is so rare. If you are worried perhaps go back in a couple of weeks and have another scan however I imagine that everything will be as normal at this stage otherwise you would have been told. So a massive congratulations 💐. It's hard not to worry. Believe me I kept expecting everyone to tell me something was wrong with my DS but he was a healthy baby. Keep positive enjoy seeing your baby at your next scan whether in a couple of weeks or at 12 weeks.

If you conceived on Christmas Day they you shouldn’t date your pregnancy from 23rd November. The start of your pregnancy would be approximately 14 day’s before ovulation. So let’s say you ovulated on the exact day you had sex (might not have been) then you would only be max 5 weeks pregnant. Only seeing a gestational sac at 5 weeks is perfectly normal. Have they taking bloods to check your HCG levels?

I think you are totally out with your dates? Most people don't ovulate/conceive 1 month AFTER the start of their last period?

If you weren't tracking ovulation then impossible to say how far along you are really? It would sound like you are around 5 weeks if they can see a gestational sac - less than 6 weeks anyway as usually a heartbeat seen around 6 weeks

I agree with previous posters that you are more likely to be around 5 weeks pregnant and at that point it would probably be too early to see a heartbeat. For instance I had my last period on Dec 2nd, I ovulated around the 14th (according to a digital clear blue) and had a positive pregnancy test on xmas eve. I think you have got your dates mixed up as it would be very uncommon to ovulate a month after the start if your period.

I know it is easier said than done but try to keep calm and maybe get rescanned in a few weeks to see the progress x

Thanks for the replies.

I only waited so long to test because I was busy over Christmas and New Year, and totally didn't think it would happen so quickly!

I did a First Response early test first, which had strong lines. I then followed up with a Clearblue digital, which said that conception was in the last 2-3 weeks (which I already knew).

I have my booking in appointment in a few weeks so haven't yet had any bloods taken.

I think I'm just going to see what what the midwife says and then wait for my 12 week scan. My husband keeps saying that nature will take it's course and there's nothing we can do to change what will happen. It's just really easy to overthink things/worry - it will be the first grandchild on both sides and we can't wait to tell our parents, but don't want to until we know that everything is ok.

Thanks again x

Hi op, by bloods I meant BETA HCG. In early pregnancy they are a good indicator of whether a pregnancy is progressing. Basically you get two blood tests the first to get your HCG number and the second 48 hours later to ensure it is doubling. Might be an idea to request these

^^" I used fertility treatment and went for a scan around 7 weeks and was warned that I probably wouldn't see much (internal scan as standard at my clinic) and told to definitely not expect a heartbeat. I was very lucky as I did actually see a very tiny heartbeat and the nurse was extremely surprised because it is so rare.”

I don't know where you went, but it sounds like you had a viability scan, during which they specifically check for a heartbeat. Unless your clinic had a shocking success rate, there should be no reason for your nurse to be surprised by a fetal pole at 7w+. In fact, many MCs happen at around 5-6 weeks as it's a pivotal development stage that must occur correctly, and if it doesn't go right that causes a MC.

OP basically you mustn't be as far along as you think.

Agree with @Android18 - at 7 weeks you should see a heartbeat and a formed embryo plus yolk sac, sometimes with arm and leg nubs. That's the whole point of the viability scan post IVF being at that time point, to avoid ambiguity.

OP, fingers crossed you're just much earlier than you think. Even if your AF dates are correct you may have ovulated late. Unfortunately there won't be any way of knowing until you have another scan. I wouldn't read into the weeks indicator tests too much - I think they can be quite unreliable. Very best of luck, everything crossed for you 🤞

Another who thinks you are off with your dates. Conceiving at Christmas means your LMP would've been roughly 14 days before (11th Dec)
would make you about 5 weeks, in which case what was seen at the scan is totally normal for 5 weeks.

Hi @PhoebeBuffey my dates are similar to yours.

My last period was 23/11 but I didn't ovulate until around 17/12 (I had a MMC in October so I think my cycle was a bit off).

Going from my last period I would be almost 8 weeks but as I ovulated so late I'm currently 6+4 - I had a scan on Friday at the EPU and measured 6+2 and seen a heartbeat.

Just wanted to give a bit of reassurance that going from your last period isn't always accurate. Wishing you luck!

I think you're slightly off with your dates too, my last period was 23rd November and this is a picture of my scan from last week. Hopefully you're just a couple of weeks behind

Thanks for the replies.

Although I'm not sure about the date of my LMP, I know that I didn't have one in December. When I had it in November I remember thinking that I hoped I wouldn't get the next one over Christmas, which makes me think it was the week of 23rd November.

Going by the various replies, it sounds like it could be the case that I ovulated late? I'm kicking myself for not being more on top of this (believe it or not I'm an educated, professional woman!).

The other thing is that when I took the tests last week I was having really strong pregnancy symptoms - nauseous, bloating, tiredness and mild cramping. These have mostly gone away. I read that it's normal for symptoms to come and go, so hoping that's not a sign that something is wrong.

I had to phone my local maternity unit to arrange my booking in appointment and 12 week scan. I think I'm going to call tomorrow and explain that the early scan put me at an earlier date, and see what they say. My 12 week scan is scheduled for 18th February and not sure I should go if it will be too early.

My husband is dead against having another private scan. He thinks we should wait and see what happens.

Best of luck to all of you with your pregnancies. I only joined MN yesterday so I could post about this and am genuinely touched by the responses.

Hope all goes well @PhoebeBuffey just regarding symptoms, I found out I was pregnant at 3 weeks 1 day... that week from 3-4 weeks I had ALL the symptoms sore back, food aversions, sore boobs, I even vomited twice. However after that my symptoms stopped and didn’t come back until 6 weeks. I’m now 10 weeks and all is well. You may have had similar that you had those symptoms at the very early stages and now they will take a break for a few weeks

I think you might be slightly out with your dates. I have been tracking ovulation and know I conceived either boxing day or 27th and I'm currently 5 weeks. I know it's easy to say but I really would try not to worry

Don't beat yourself up @PhoebeBuffey - there is enough going on at the moment without having to worry about your period too!

Symptoms can definitely come and go. I found in the early weeks mine fluctuated quite a lot, but have been more settled since 7 weeks or so. What will be will be. Hoping it is a positive outcome for you 🤞

I've had 2 scans at 5 weeks in 2 different pregnancies and seen heartbeats both times.

Your dates seem very off.

Usually they rescan after 7 days to see the progress. This is what I would push for.

I wouldn't worry just yet if possible!
The confusion over dates etc will likely account for any discrepancies in what can be seen on the scan at this stage.
My last period started 4th December but I know I didn't ovulate until CD 19 (I was tracking my BBT and LH levels), rather than CD 14. A few days at such an early stage on a scan can make a huge difference!
I've booked a private scan for this Thursday which technically I should be 6+6 but I think it will likely show 6+2.
Chin up and hope for the best!

Thanks all.

Going to call the maternity unit tomorrow and see what they say re: changing the dates of my midwife appointment and 12 week scan.

So nervous but trying to stay positive.

Best of luck to all of you too