No foetal pole 6+3

[Rose87777]

I had an early private scan which dated me 6+1 ( although pretty sure my of my dates which would be 6+3) and the was no foetal pole but there was a gestational sac with a yolk sac. They have said that it could be that it’s just too early to see but everything I read says that you should see the foetal pole by 6 weeks of undergoing a transvaginal scan. Can any one offer any (positive or otherwise) stories? I have a rescan booked for 30th March

So many typos 🤦‍♀️

Hi OP. I’m really sorry, I can imagine how upsetting that must have been. I went for an early scan in December at 6+2 days. Like you they could only see a gestational sack and a yolk sac. I suspected a MMC- I’d had one previously in August also at 9 weeks. But they told me to come back a week later as perhaps it was too early. When I was rescanned the next week she could only see a gestational sack, the yolk sac had begun to break down- so another MMC was confirmed.

I should also add I’ve had a few early scans in the past and at 6+2 when I went I was fully expecting to see the fetal pole, even if too early for a heartbeat. So once I saw there wasn’t a pole I knew the pregnancy wasn’t viable if that makes sense?!

I truly hope this isn’t the case for you and that you’re okay Xx

Thanks so much for your reply. I think I know deep down that the pregnancy isn’t viable and really need to prepare myself for that news. My only tiny glimmer of hope was that i wondered because I’m still breastfeeding whether that has delayed things somehow ...but then the GS wouldn’t be measuring 6+1 either I guess! Gah such an awful wait!

Sadly the times I have experienced this myself, it has not been good news. Last time the foetal pole was visible at my follow up scan, even with a heartbeat, which did get me hopes up, but we were measuring behind then and I didn't feel confident about it. I subsequently had an MMC at ten weeks.

I hope everything works out OK for you.

Just to throw a positive story into the mix..

I had an early scan at 6+4 due to bad cramping. Showed a gestational sac but no yolk sac or fetal pole. The midwife said it but just be too early to tell but basically told me it was looking like a miscarriage. Cue 2 weeks of sheer misery and worry and then went back for my scan 2 weeks later and there was my little bean in full glory, complete with heart beat and measuring perfectly.

I had another scan at 9 weeks to check all was well, which it fortunately still was and am awaiting my 12 week scan this week.

I do feel for you as it is such a horrible wait. Although I sadly can't promise you it will turn out the way you want, 6 weeks is very, very early for a scan and it really may just be that it is too early for you.

Try and keep busy whilst you're waiting for your next scan and try and remember that no amount of worrying will change the outcome..it just makes you feel extra crappy.

Sending big hugs x

I should add that I convinced myself I had lost it to the point I had a moment of thinking there was no point going for the 2nd scan. I think it is your minds way of trying to protect you from the blow of the worst news.

I should also point out that I was a complete hypocrite and worried so much during my wait despite my last post 🙈

Thank you for sharing your experiences x
It is so hard when you have got ahead of yourself with the excitement of being pregnant. I know what you mean @LunaDreams it’s impossible not to worry and over analyse everything!

@Rose87777 I was pretty certain of my dates as am tracking everything closely after 3mc.

I had a scan at 6w exactly and there was a yolk sac only. She said I was measuring exactly 5 weeks and agreed it looked like a mc. Went back at 7w and there was a a very tiny embryo (2.4mm). The embryo was much smaller than it should have been and had a heartbeat, but it was slow. I'm now in 2 week limbo awaiting a 3rd scan will to confirm a miscarriage. BUT the reason I say that is not to be negative - but to show it's possible to see that embryo and heartbeat a bit later, and I hope that's what happens for you x

I've had 7 pregnancies and 3 of those ended in loss. Tbh unless you start bleeding I wouldn't rule anything out until an 8 week scan. I've had early scans which didn't show a pole but it's so early that it can be very hard to tell how it will go. By 8 weeks you have a definite idea of whether the pregnancy will last or not. The time until your next scan will be difficult, fingers crossed things go well for you.