Early Pregnancy Scan - Gestational Sac and Yolk seen but Dr won't rule out ectopic

[Journey2022]

Has anyone had a similar situation?....

I had an early scan today measuring at 5 weeks 5 days. I knew a heartbeat was not guaranteed but I was hoping for answers on if I had implanted in the uterus at least.

Gestational sac and yolk were seen in the uterus but no heartbeat. Consultant said they will not rule out ectopic pregnancy without seeing a heartbeat in the uterus. Has anyone been told this previously?

I now want to pay for a private scan to see a heartbeat in a week or so to put my mind at rest I have the option of booking for 1 week from today at which point I will be 6 weeks 5 days. Has anyone seen a heartbeat around this time and not seen it earlier?

My other option Is wait until 7 week mark a couple of days later but as this falls on Easter I will be so anxious I'll have to cancel my plans. I can't be around family pretending I'm okay when so anxious!

Thanks!

Hi @Journey2022 I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I had a scan at very similar time and they couldn't see a heartbeat. This is normal - heart starts beating about 6.5 weeks. Went back at 8 weeks and heart was beating.
It was a confirmed uterine pregnancy so I'm a bit confused by your doctor to be honest. Was it in an EPU?

@rattlinbog yes it was an epu scan. I had pain on my left side and bleeding the weekend I got my positive at 4 weeks its subsided now (bleed was just the one night) so I've been under epu since initially with hcg bloods every 48 hours (all fine and doubling) then today was my first scan. The consultant said she won't confirm its not an ectopic until the heartbeat is seen as pregnancy hormones can create the sac and yolk even if you have implanted in a fallopian tube - I was never aware of this my understanding was if the sac and yolk was seen in the uterus this confirmed it was where it should be. I left so upset and confused, I then called back and spoke to a nurse this afternoon she said that some consultants air on the side of caution and won't confirm anything without a heartbeat. But that my scan shouldn't raise concerns for the early stage I'm at. She tried to smooth it over but honestly I feel deflated and can't feel okay until I know its atleast in the right place. My pains have subsided and my pregnancy period style cramps also have subsided the last few days also.

I'm so sorry you're dealing with this, sounds like they are being ultra cautious.
Did they check your Fallopian tubes etc? Crossing fingers for you

Also pain can be caused by a cyst on the ovary and bleeding can be for lots of reasons. I had both in first pregnancy and bleeding in this one

@rattlinbog they showed my ovaries one looked normal the other had a cyst (I've had a cyst on that one for a few months and it has reduced in size) cyst is on my left side where I had the pain so I know it could be that but it would really help my anxiety to rule out ectopic!

I just wondered if anyone had seen a gestational sac and yolk in the uterus yet still had gone on to have extopic as I thought they grew at site of implantation 🤯

I now want to book another scan in hope to see a heartbeat to rule out ectopic and calm my anxiety but also aware if I book too early it could also be pointless. Ideal scenario would be booking one for a week today so that I can enjoy the BH with family. As at the moment I'm an anxious mess and honestly don't want to socialise!

@Journey2022 wishing you all the best. It sounds good news to me but completely get your anxiety so hope you get an answer soon