Still no symptoms at 8 weeks - early scan?

[numberthirtytwoWindsorGardens]

I'm eight weeks' pregnant and am still essentially symptomless. I've had the odd, brief wave of nausea, but nothing else. With DS, by this stage I was as sick as a dog and exhausted; I spent almost all my time not at work in bed. I'm getting really worried.

I've been looking into private scans. I know that, even if a heartbeat is seen now, there is no guarantee that we'll make it to 12 weeks, but I'm really worried that I have already lost the baby and haven't realised. Can anyone give any advice or recommendations (for or against)?

Many thanks!

Every pregnancy is different. I didn’t have major symptoms and constantly worried that it meant something was wrong. I did go for 2 early private scans and it really helped to reassure me, albeit only in the short term. I did so much reading about missed miscarriages etc, and a lack of symptoms definitely doesn’t indicate that - some people continue to have all the symptoms when they have a MMC. I think it’s slightly more concerning to have symptoms that suddenly stop, but again that still doesn’t mean MMC. Sending you lots of love, I know how hard it is not to worry. I found myself wishing I would be sick just so I felt more reassured - sounds so daft now! I’m 20 weeks now and still feel normal! X

I was the same, DD pregnancy I was sick this one nothing at all. I booked an 8 week scan and was so worried, now 39+4 and waiting for labour. No symptoms doesn’t mean bad

@numberthirtytwoWindsorGardens ive had three pregnancies (currently 7 weeks pregnant). I've got one daughter and had an mmc before her. For all three of my pregnancies I've had very few symptoms at all- I worried so much for my second pregnancy that it meant I was having a second mmc but everything was perfect all the way through. What I'm trying to say is that symptoms aren't related to how successful the pregnancy is. I know people who had mmc who's symptoms carried on after they had miscarried. I always have an early scan because it helps to reassure me. I would also rather know earlier than later if something had gone wrong. It would be horrendous to go to your 12 week scan and find out the baby had stopped growing at 6 weeks.

Thank you all for such kind and reassuring replies. @pigglepot, that's exactly how I feel - if I've already lost the baby, I'd rather know now than find out at the 12 week scan.

The thing that worries me is not so much the absence of symptoms as just the fact that it's so different from last time; has anyone experienced this? I know they say every pregnancy is different, but it seems strange that your body would react SO differently.

@swiftt, @Oneandabean and @pigglepot, I wish you all very successful and scare-free pregnancies and safe deliveries!

If you think it'll help you feel better about it then go for one.
I had very mild symptoms in my last pregnancy, I felt really uneasy about it all. I had a scan at 8+3wk by lmp, baby measured 7+4 with heartbeat. It didn't stop the worry at all. 4 days later I started spotting on Thursday, baby was passed on Sunday afternoon. I rang the GP on the Friday, EPAU wouldn't see me before Tuesday. I cancelled my scan as everything was happening naturally. I found it harder to deal with than the mc's where I'd not seen baby beforehand. I decided not to go for an early scan with this one and wait for the dating scan, just over 2 weeks to wait for it. Symptoms are stronger this time but still worried.

I'm so sorry for your losses, @Chelyanne. Wishing you a safe pregnancy this time.

I'm also 8 weeks pregnancy with very few symptoms (the odd wave of nausea if a smell triggers it, thirst, that's about it). I had a scan at 6 weeks to rule out ectopic pregnancy and that scan showed a viable pregnancy with a heartbeat, so I know there's something going on in there!

I've been doing some reading (due to being concerned about lack of symptoms) and apparently it's quite common for each pregnancy to have different symptoms. Statistically, you're less likely to feel nausea with a second pregnancy if you only had mild nausea with your first (source: www.babycentre.co.uk/x563481/i-felt-very-sick-in-my-first-pregnancy-but-this-time-im-fine-is-anything-wrong).

That's a really reassuring article, @Poppins2016 - thank you! I suppose my nausea could have been called mild last time - I felt terrible but was never actually sick, and was usually able to stave it off with bland food.

I think I will try to get a private scan (covid permitting!). If it's going to be bad news, better to know now, and if good, will hopefully ease the worry a bit!

I was the same as you with my first, felt horribly nauseous but was never sick!
I have to admit, if I hadn't already had a scan for other reasons and seen a viable pregnancy, I probably would have booked a private scan for reassurance by now...

All the private clinics in my area are open, so hopefully you won't have an issue booking.

I had no symptoms at all with DD, at around 6 weeks I had an hour of nausea when I was getting ready one morning and that's it! Try not to worry OP, all pregnancies are different, if you're concerned then see if you can book an early scan so you have some reassurance

As others have said, all pregnancies are different. Eight weeks is quite early, some symptoms start a bit later, some there are none.

@numberthirtytwoWindsorGardens it's a very worrying time I honestly do feel for you abs know how you feel. It's so hard not to worry. Even when my daughter was moving about I then worried myself silly that she was moving less or not enough! It's very hard not being in control of the situation and the not knowing. Keep us posted. I've booked an early scan when I'll be around 7 and a half weeks for later this week so I'm hoping it will all be ok for me too. Xx

Thanks, @pigglepot, you're lovely

The silly thing is, I really didn't worry that much with my son! I don't think I really understood all the things that could go wrong so sort of assumed it would all be good, which it was! (Until his disaster area of a birth, but that's another story!)

Keeping my fingers crossed for your scan too 🤞

An update in case anyone was wondering: I had a scan tonight and there's no heartbeat. Embryo was measuring around 5 weeks and 6 days, which I suppose means that's when it died.

Wishing you all more successful pregnancies, and thank you for your support on this post x

So sorry to hear that @numberthi, horrible news to get.

Oh such sad news, condolences on your loss. You take care of yourself and good luck when you are ready to start ttc again.

So sorry op. Take it easy.

@numberthirtytwoWindsorGardens oh I'm so so sorry. I've had an mmc previously and I know how shocking and heartbreaking it is. Sending you lots of love. Take the time to grieve the way you need to whether that's long walks, lots of cake, wine or time off work to cry. ❤️

So sorry for your loss OP. I’ve been in the same situation and I know how much it hurts. Sending hugs

Thanks all It's not helped by work, to be honest - I'm a teacher and have been doing internal exams all this week, which means my classes have all had cover set. The nurse said I'd need to go to hospital to get medication to start the miscarriage, but I actually can't see any time over the next week when I can go.

What a mess.

@pigglepot, have you had your scan yet? How did it go? Fingers crossed for you.

@numberthirtytwoWindsorGardens that's so upsetting and so stressful. I'm guessing there isn't anything you can do about getting cover or anything?

Im sure you know this but you have three options when you have an mmc (a) medication (which triggers your body to pass the pregnancy which can be quite painful I think) (b) an operation under anaesthetic to remove it (this is what I had- I didn't want to have to pass the be pregnancy or have the pain) and (c) just wait it out for your body to pass it naturally.

I'm sure the nurse told you all that but I just wanted to let you know in case she didn't as you do have options and none of them need to be chosen or done imminently- although I do understand wanting to get it over and done with.

I had my scan this morning (7+4). I was so nervous but it all went well and everything looks ok so I'm really happy. Xxx

That's wonderful news, @pigglepot - I'm so glad for you. Keeping my fingers crossed for a healthy and happy pregnancy for you (and a baby who sleeps at least some of the time!).

Thank you for the information - I feel a bit at sea about options at the moment, but that's really helped to clarify them. You've been super lovely and supportive - thank you very much. for you!

@numberthirtytwoWindsorGardens so sorry this happened. I've been in the same position and it's heartbreaking. Just to be aware I don't think they are offering an operation during COVID unless there is a medical need so you may only be able to choose between "expectant management" (natural MC) and "medical management" where they give you pessaries to start the MC. In the last lockdown they were making you do that at home which I actually preferred. If you don't want to read any more that's fine but I thought I'd share my experience as I've done both in case it helps you process any decisions.

My natural MC was less painful but took longer - if I'd stopped bleeding at any point I don't think I would've wanted to wait but actually once the MC started it carried on fairly routinely and was similar pain-wise to a heavy period. The only thing I hadn't anticipated was that I would actually pass the sac - I'd thought the whole thing was over so it surprised me and was quite upsetting but physically the whole thing was fine.

With medical management I hadn't appreciated how ill the medication would make me but if I was in the same position I would do the same again as it was completed relatively quickly and meant I could start to move forward - that time I wasn't bleeding at all and didn't know how long I'd have to wait for it to happen naturally. If you do choose that option (medication) I'd suggest taking the bit on the letter that says you can go back to work the next day with a large grain of salt. Physically I would guess I needed more like 3-4 days off - partly due to cramps (which were pretty bad) but also the medication can have a lot of side effects on the digestive system which meant I needed to stay near a bathroom. Emotionally it was longer of course.

My thoughts are with you. Hope you're hanging in there.

@BlueberryPancake21 Thank you for such an incredibly kind and helpful post. I feel a bit overwhelmed by how kind everyone has been!

You mention passing the sac; please ignore this if you'd rather not answer, but is that a significant thing? I had assumed that because the baby was so small when they died, a miscarriage would be effectively just a heavy period, but it sounds from your experience as if that's not the case?

I'm leaning towards taking the medication, just because I haven't started bleeding or any signs, and I don't think I want to wait on tenterhooks for it to begin. Just worried about the impact on work, but I suppose st least with the schools closed I'm working from home!

Thank you again for such a kind post x