Worried, measuring a week behind

[Ninetyfive21]

So I went to a&e last night with sever pain on my right side, had bloods taken, HCG was 1,917. Went to epu for scan this morning, thought I was 5+4, from the gestational sac measurements they think I’m 4+4. I’m booked in for a viability scan on the 26th, but I can’t stop worrying as surely my hcg levels are in the 5 week mark? They haven’t asked for a repeat of blood test to see if hcg is rising, how would I get a repeat? Spent most of the day in tears because I’m a week behind and full of anxiety!

Babies don't grow exactly along a line. At my first scan (also early due to bleeding) I was asked if my dates were correct because I was measuring a week behind my EDD based on LMP. At my 12 scan I was measuring over a week ahead.

Don’t panic yet you might have ovulated later and that would make sense. My LO was measuring slightly behind but by 12 weeks they moved my due date forwards by 5 days!

For your repeat blood test ring the doctors in the morning as ask they will sort it out for you.

It’s so stressful being pregnant, I can say don’t stress but that isn’t helpful. Maybe look up some hypnobirthing music and techniques to relax, have a bath?

The scans are hard to measure exact at this stage.
Hence why they won't date you properly until your 12 week scan.
It is quite normal to be a week behind or a week ahead due to the difference in times you could have ovulated

Were you tracking ovulation through telling or LH tests for know the exact date? Or following the calendar method?

As you may have conceived 4-7 days later than you exactly thought you had.

Adding into what others have said, they don't grow to exact dates, hence a scan being offered at 12 weeks on the NHS as it gives some time to catch up.

Your HCG levels are still high which indicates your body is still working hard at the pregnancy.

Temping **

Thankyou for your replies! It’s so hard not worrying! I’m going to try and ring doctor for a repeat blood test in morning but not holding out much hope because our GP’s receptionists seem to think they’re the ones with medical degrees since they’ve been doing phone triage! I understand they have to do it, but apparently my partner’s seizure (due to a stroke and rarely has seizures) wasn’t a good enough reason to even get a phone appointment to discuss his seizure medication!

@sabrinathemiddleagewitch just tracking on the calendar! I’ve been tracking my cycles for about 2 years now (mainly because the app reminds me a few days before I’m due on so I don’t get a shock 😂) and I’m regular so I’d like to think my dates are correct! I’m hoping the viability scan gives us a better idea!

In a&e the gynaecology doctor said my hcg hasn’t dropped which confused me as that was my only blood test in this pregnancy?

@Ninetyfive21 are you sure of your ovulation date though ? Because dating by LMP assumes you ovulate on day 14.

I think your hcg level is promising and the fact that sac is in right place. As others said incredibly difficult to date on a scan so early and likely to be a few days out either side.

@WalkingMeAway no not 100% on ovulation date.

My sac is “eccentrically placed” but she didn’t say if that was normal/good etc

I had an early scan and measured 5 days behind and then at my 12 week scan I was measuring 3 days behind and basically think I ovulated later than my app told me. So try not to worry

@Ninetyfive21

Thankyou for your replies! It’s so hard not worrying! I’m going to try and ring doctor for a repeat blood test in morning but not holding out much hope because our GP’s receptionists seem to think they’re the ones with medical degrees since they’ve been doing phone triage! I understand they have to do it, but apparently my partner’s seizure (due to a stroke and rarely has seizures) wasn’t a good enough reason to even get a phone appointment to discuss his seizure medication!

Unfortunately they don't offer much in regards to early pregnancy as miscarriages are so common. So they don't tend to do much unless it's a recurrent miscarriage of 3 or more.

I thought I was absolutely certain of my dates but was a week ahead of what I thought. It matched with sex but was almost impossibly early cycle wise. However based on when I went into labour compared to my previous pregnancy, baby's weight etc, chances very much are that the scan dates were correct, even though I thought I had a regular cycle etc. This may well be the case for you, but with being a week later. I do hope it works out okay.

Any scans at an early scan can be really hard to date, which is why they wait until the 12 week based on LMP. At the 5ish weeks you are at, less than a millimetre of difference when they take the measurement can throw it out by days to weeks!
Easier said than done, but try to relax and wait for your next scan to find out more info. It's good that your hgc levels are in line with where you should be x

So I’ve just looked at the calendar, if I am a week behind then I’ll have got these BFPs at 7dpo?!?!

Hi all, jumping in as this is a recent thread and kind of relevant. I am 6 weeks today and struggling. Light spotting started yesterday morning and got worse throughout the day. I am now at a steady flow of reddish blood with some tissue in it, basically like a light period for me. I haven't had any pain as such but definitely have that period dull ache feeling. I've spoke to 111 and out of hours doctor yesterday and my own doctor today and they have both basically told me to rest and wait it out. If the blood increases etc then I will know it's a miscarriage. If it's still lighter then contact them again in a week or so. I asked about other people having scans and have been advised of is too early and they wouldn't assess me unless I have 3 MCs in a row. I feel totally lost sitting here with no idea what is going on and feeling like no one really cares. I think that the tissue being present probably means that it is a MC. We have been trying for over a year and a half, I'm 35 and just feel like this is so exhausting mentally and physically. Currently waiting for my husband to come home from work as he had to go today. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏 PS first pregnancy.

@Ninetyfive21 I am unsure what you mean in your last post. Is this positive? Sending you all the good luck with it x

every time I go to a scan (I'm 15+5) my baby is small. My due date has been pushed back about 3 times.

Easier said than done but try not to worry about it. Babies aren't all going to measure the same size at the same time.

@Helena86

Hi all, jumping in as this is a recent thread and kind of relevant. I am 6 weeks today and struggling. Light spotting started yesterday morning and got worse throughout the day. I am now at a steady flow of reddish blood with some tissue in it, basically like a light period for me. I haven't had any pain as such but definitely have that period dull ache feeling. I've spoke to 111 and out of hours doctor yesterday and my own doctor today and they have both basically told me to rest and wait it out. If the blood increases etc then I will know it's a miscarriage. If it's still lighter then contact them again in a week or so. I asked about other people having scans and have been advised of is too early and they wouldn't assess me unless I have 3 MCs in a row. I feel totally lost sitting here with no idea what is going on and feeling like no one really cares. I think that the tissue being present probably means that it is a MC. We have been trying for over a year and a half, I'm 35 and just feel like this is so exhausting mentally and physically. Currently waiting for my husband to come home from work as he had to go today. Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏 PS first pregnancy.

@Ninetyfive21 I am unsure what you mean in your last post. Is this positive? Sending you all the good luck with it x

Unfortunately, as miscarriage is so common, GPS aren't overly interested. It's a difficult thing when you're going through it but to them you're just another statistic. I only got an early scan because I was 7 weeks and spotting and had had 2 previous miscarriages. If I was bleeding heavier than spotting, they wouldn't have scanned as they'd presume mc. Especially as it needs to be an internal scan at 6 weeks.

All they advise is to test a week later and then every few days after that until it goes negative.
I tested once a week as it took 4 weeks to go negative

@Helena86 is booking a private scan an option for you if you just want some clarity over whats happening?

EPU are generally reluctant to scan without good reason. I was only scanned this time because I’d had 4 miscarriages over the last 12 months.

But I’d booked myself a private scan at 6+2 anyway.

At my EPU scan at 5+4 I saw a heartbeat. If you were able to book a private scan you may be able to see something. Or at least get some answers either way without arhat awful waiting in limbo.

Alternatively would your gp be willing to do hcg blood tests 48 hours apart to see if your hcg levels are riding or falling?

@Ninetyfive21

So I’ve just looked at the calendar, if I am a week behind then I’ll have got these BFPs at 7dpo?!?!

It is hard for them to be accurate this early. This is why they don't date a pregnancy until your 12 week scan. I was pushed back a week at my 6 week EPU scan and then at my 12 week scan was pushed forward a week again to my original dates

• rising or falling

@SnooperTrooper12345 yes I am learning that about the GPs not being overly interested and I can understand from their perspective but it makes it really lonely this side of the coin.

I am sorry to hear you have had bad experiences, I definitely have a new respect for couples that go through this.

Thanks for letting me know about the retesting, they hadn't advised that.

@Moominmiss thank you for your suggestions too. I have been reading about the private tests and think I need to talk it through with my husband later.

It just feels so confusing. You read online that it could be either way, so go from more hopeful to almost accepting it's a MC. I think the presence of tissue is what is worrying me most.

[quote Helena86]@SnooperTrooper12345 yes I am learning that about the GPs not being overly interested and I can understand from their perspective but it makes it really lonely this side of the coin.

I am sorry to hear you have had bad experiences, I definitely have a new respect for couples that go through this.

Thanks for letting me know about the retesting, they hadn't advised that.

@Moominmiss thank you for your suggestions too. I have been reading about the private tests and think I need to talk it through with my husband later.

It just feels so confusing. You read online that it could be either way, so go from more hopeful to almost accepting it's a MC. I think the presence of tissue is what is worrying me most.[/quote]
Sorry you're going through it.
It is very lonely!

I had tissue present with mine and that's pretty much how I was sure it was a miscarriage.
Sorry to be bad news ❤️

Thank you @SnooperTrooper12345 I appreciate your support.

Yes, I think deep down I know it is 😓