Measuring at 5 or 6 weeks and I thought I’d be 7 or 8. Have to wait 10 days for re scan..

[EllieJade95]

Hi everyone,

I was looking for some advice, because my mind is in overdrive right now. I found out I was pregnant nearly 4 weeks ago, on the 23rd March. The first test I took said I was 2-3 weeks (ClearBlue) and changed on the 28th to 3+. Now, there’s only two dates that I had sex, the first being the 25th of February and the 2nd being either on the 5th or the 6th March. I took an at home HCG blood test check on the 5th April which came back as 11,918 which put me either in the 6 or 7 week zone at that point so I assumed I conceived on the 25th and probably more likely 7.

Fast forward to now, I had a red bleed on Sunday (filled up the tissue but no red blood after) and I’ve had the smallest bit of brown discharge since then but only probably one bit a day. I spoke to my GP yesterday and he booked me in for a scan at the EPU for this morning. I’ve just had the scan and she said she can see a sack, the nutrient pole and can see the small bean (she actually pointed and said there’s baby which I thought was odd considering it’s quite obvious I could of had a miscarriage) and hovered for a second where she said the flicker could potentially be the start of a baby’s heartbeat (also thought was odd when she looked at my dates..!). She measured it at around 5 or 6 weeks and has booked me in for another scan in 10 days. I feel awful because I fully expected to go in and get an answer even if it was a bad one and be able to start moving on and dealing with it. Now, I feel like I know it’s not a good outcome because in my eyes whilst it’s possible I could be 6 weeks if I date it from the March 5/6th date and add 5 days from sperm to stay in, if my HCG level was that 2 weeks ago it’s not possible.

I was wondering if anyone has been in this position before, if there was a positive outcome or just in general what the outcome was. I was fully convinced I would know today either way and now this has made me feel awful as I have to wait for so long when I feel like I already know the answer. I know it’s possible that I may get my answer before if I start having more bleeding etc and it’s more evident it’s a miscarriage. I really didn’t expect this and just feel totally shit as I know it’s going to be that I lost the baby probably 2 weeks ago, but I have to wait to properly be told. I still have my symptoms and pregnancy tests are coming back strong when I dilute them so it’s pointless me even doing another blood test as my hormone will clearly still be high. I really wanted to be able to deal with the bad news, maybe have a D&C if it got to 2+ weeks with nothing else and hopefully have my period etc start coming back and can try again. I know in the grand scheme of things it’s only 10 days but feels so long when miscarriages can take a long time to clear through your body.

Any help with this? :(

I just went through the same thing - unfortunately not a good ending.

I know my dates, I know my cycle better than anyone but I was going through every possible situation in my head to make it seem realistic that I'd be 2 weeks behind. I was like, oh I didn't calculate this month properly. The sperm stayed inside for a week and fertilized later than normal etc etc. But deep down I knew that there was no chance and the doctors said the same. I also had bleeding on and off and no morning sickness. I just didn't 'feel' pregnant (this was my 3rd pregnancy).

It is very rare to see a heartbeat at 5 weeks, even with a vaginal ultrasound, so if there was a heartbeat surely you'd be more like 7-8 weeks. Something isn't adding up somewhere.

Not a lot of advice and really there isn't anything tht you can do at this stage other than prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

Good luck

@Misaki I’m slightly different when it comes to my cycle as it’s very irregular and it really is possible it was from the 5th or the 6th because also on my Flo app I was most fertile on those dates. If it wasn’t for the blood test I did at home, I would probably be quite positive but knowing my HCG was at the level of 6-7 weeks 2 weeks ago, it’s basically impossible for me to be 6-7 weeks pregnant now.

I’m the same though, feel like I already know the answer & feels so frustrating that I just have to wait an extra 10 days when I already know that miscarriages can take a long time as it is, and your body can take a while to go back to normal. I would have so much rather known today, to grieve and move on but in complete limbo now. I’m pretty much acting like I already know the answer but it’s difficult. Yes! So I feel she definitely shouldn’t have said about a heartbeat, I am not someone who clings on to a glimmer of hope but I’m sure others are and would be running with that. She didn’t say there definitely was one, just that it could be the start - part of me thinks as a specialist she must of noticed a flicker otherwise she wouldn’t of said it but equally know pre six weeks that’s not really possible (and I think even at 6 weeks isn’t?) but as she didn’t say it was definitely a heartbeat I’m not really even thinking of that.

I hope you don’t mind me asking, but did you have any miscarriage symptoms either before or after you had your scan? All I keep thinking about is this waiting in limbo when I could have just had the D&C soon.

Any help on this anyone?

If it’s only the blood test that’s making you question it have you looked at how accurate the blood tests are? Is there a chance it could be incorrect? The pp was incorrect, A heartbeat can usually start to be seen from 5 1/2 to 6 weeks.

Everything else adds up to your dates being from 5th or 6th so it could well be that the blood test was wrong

@PickledScrump I think they’re pretty reliable, they use the same labs as the NHS and are all licences doctors so I don’t think they’d be wrong. I know my level is still high as I still have sore boobs and getting acid reflux sickness in the mornings but I was thinking about potentially doing another and if it hadn’t really changed or has maybe gone down a bit I’d probably know for sure.

I have seen quite a few people say they couldn’t see a heartbeat until 8 weeks but some said they have done earlier. When I spoke to a midwife she said don’t do anything until 8 weeks as it’s highly likely to see a heartbeat. I kinda wish she hadn’t said it “could be a flicker” because part of me thinks as an experienced sonographer she can identity a flicker of a heartbeat and would be able to identify that’s what it was but then another part of me thinks it’s just not possible.

Such a difficult situation :(

@PickledScrump sorry meant to say *she said it was highly unlikely

@EllieJade95 im surprised your midwife would say it’s unlikely. Scans at 8 weeks are more likely to see a strong heartbeat but they can very often be seen at 6 weeks. Especially as they said it was a flicker it would make sense that you were earlier so 5.5 to 6 weeks makes sense on that. I’ve had scans at 8 weeks with both dc 2 & 3 because at that point a viable pregnancy will show a nice strong heartbeat. If you look at posts from people on here loads have seen heartbeat from 6 weeks, some even earlier. I’d very much question what your midwife said there. Most epu will scan you from 6 weeks because that’s when they can see things, same with private scans.

@PickledScrump Sorry I meant to say a midwife I know, not my midwife. Unfortunately I haven’t heard from a midwife yet. I’m not saying it’s not possible, as I’ve said I have seen many posts of people saying they have but also seen many posts of people saying they couldn’t and were told by the sonographer that it’s common to not be able to and they went back two weeks later and they could.

To be honest, I’m not even thinking about a heartbeat. As I said, I feel like she shouldn’t have said it “could be the start of a flicker of a heartbeat” when she didn’t know and also knowing what I thought my dates were. All babies are different and I have seen people say theirs “caught up” but my initial question was has anyone had this situation and had to wait, or have they had a miscarriage in between that time. I’m not optimistic at all, and I’d rather just deal with it now then have to wait for the 2nd scan to be told the inevitable. It’s not possible for me to be 5 weeks, so it could only be 6 weeks and that doesn’t make sense with my HCG levels.

Hi there! I'm not sure this will be helpful for you at all, but I'm in a very similar position at the moment. Ended up with a scan in EPU yesterday at 7+5 due to spotting over the weekend. I'm very sure about my dates, as I was using OPK's, have regular cycles and know to the date when we had intercourse and when I likely ovulated.

The sonographer measured me at just over 6 weeks, so measuring nearly 1,5 week behind. The only positive thing that came out of it for me was that we all saw a strong heartbeat. The sonographer said she wasn't worried, and that "my dates were probably wrong" - I didn't have the energy to press home the fact that no, the dates are definitely not wrong. They wouldn't book me in for a follow-up, so I'm currently sat here with my midwife booking appointment next week as next step where we all know there are no scans and pretty much just medical history stuff. I'm planning on bringing a lot of questions with me, though.

To top it all off I'm still spotting (the reason I went in for a scan in the first place), so this might all just happen naturally for me sooner rather than later. Being in limbo and just not knowing is the worst, I wasn't reassured after my scan in the slightest because of how far behind I was measuring. I can't offer any advice I'm afraid, just wanted to let you know you're not alone in this situation, and it absolutely sucks. Sending love your way. 💛

@SaladLeaves Thank you for your message. I’m so sorry you are going through the same, but you’re right it helps to feel like you aren’t alone in this. I completely understand what you mean, but it does sound like a good thing you have a strong heartbeat! I have seen a few posts about people that have said their baby was measuring as a week/week and a half behind and then when they went for another scan it changed and they measured them at the right date, it seems like their baby “caught up” so that could be the same case for you. I completely get what you mean, I equally got no reassurance and felt like I was being rushed out to be honest. I wasn’t even told exact week to the date and also wasn’t given any details to take with me other than to come back for another scan. I haven’t even heard from a midwife team yet so I can’t even speak to them!

I also went for a scan for a bleed (more than spotting though) but it stopped straight after and all I had was some very light brown discharge for a day or so. I had none and then after my scan I have noticed a bit since but could be from the scan. I’m exactly the same, thinking it could happen naturally (and hoping it does) and now even more confused as to why I had a bleed if everything is still there. It’s truly awful but I think in your case it does sound positive as you have a strong heartbeat, you can’t argue with that! 🤍 I think in your case you will probably go back to find baby is now up to date where it should be and maybe was a bit behind :)

The waiting game is awful. I got pregnant unexpectedly (weren’t trying but knew it was around ovulation date, I was scared of putting the stress on ttc) and this just makes me terrified to try again. It’s truly a lonely and isolating experience which I feel like we are never warned out. Xxx

@EllieJade95 Oh lovely I’m so sorry this has happened, I know how worried you were about a miscarriage😢I think sometimes you can start to bleed even with the baby still there, it might take a while for a mc to fully start, or hopefully you might just be measuring behind and it all end up okay! Sending you lots of love for the next 10 days xx

@ChloeN I really was 😣 it’s so disappointing and especially hard when I know the inevitable and just have to sit.. I am hopeful it will happen naturally in the next few days so I don’t have to wait. It does make me slightly nervous it’s taken 2 weeks potentially to have a bleed, if I’m not going to get anything else.
Hope it’s ok but doubtful. I’m trying to focus on the positive I actually got pregnant very quickly & it wasn’t expected, so there’s nothing to say I can’t have that again (but now having the terrible thoughts of us there something wrong with me and will it now take ages because I will be properly trying) thank you for your support and well wishes xx

@EllieJade95 Its so fustrating but I guess there is still hope so they have to wait! I felt exactly the same, I kept worrying that was my only chance and then it was gone. I think it’s really normal to have those feelings when it’s something you want so badly! No problem, keep me updated on how it goes I’ll be thinking of you xxx

I had a very similar experience. I know I had sex 2 weeks apart (away with work in the middle), and based off my technical 'fertile window' it would have been my the first that caused the pregnancy. I went for my first scan at 6w2d and there was no fetal pole etc, estimated around 5wks. went for a rescan 2 weeks later and all was fine, it just seems like I must have ovulated super late and the second occasion was the one! Was a frustrating 2 week wait though.

From my understanding also, I was told if you are still having pregnancy symptoms (I think you said above you were) it's likely baby is still there as one of the first symptoms of a miscarriage can be loss of pregnancy symptoms. I am not a medical professional though.
Fingers crossed for you!

@EllieJade95 sorry your going through this. I have been through the same with two different outcomes. First time I measured behind with a heartbeat and follow up scan showed minimal growth and unfortunately that pregnancy wasn't viable. More recently I measured over a week behind so expected the same outcome. I was booked in for a follow up scan after 2 weeks and to my suprise the baby had caught up. Had another scan at 11 weeks 5 days and it showed the baby measuring ahead. Literally 2 weeks ahead of where my original scan dated me. I'm now currently 22 weeks.

Sending you lots of luck

@ChloeN Thanks so much lovely, will let you know how it goes 💗

Not always sadly if its a missed miscarriage. I had an early scan due to bleeding and I was measuring 5.5 weeks at 6.6 (they could see heartbeat though). Went back two weeks later and no heartbeat and no growth. Still had the same pregnancy symptoms the whole time. In fact they even continued a few weeks after the surgical management.

@NewtyB Pleased it worked out for you & that is lovely to hear! If it wasn’t for the HCG test I did at home 2 weeks ago and levels were looking at 6-7 weeks at that point I probably wouldn’t been as worried but for me that’s what’s making me think it must be bad news. I have only really had tiredness, sore boobs & acid reflux making me sick (which actually only developed 2 weeks ago) - I still very much have these symptoms (was sick this morning too) and my tests are coming up so strong that I have to dilute them to get the proper strong result. I have seen quite a few people say they had this after their MC/just before it but equally seen people say their symptoms went so maybe it’s based on how high your hormones were at the time and I think mine may have been quite high. I’m wondering whether I will see a change in the next 10 days which may answer things for me x

@Stargazer89 So sorry you went through this twice but really pleased to hear it’s worked out for you this time! I think for me it’s totally possible that I could be 6 weeks (but would probably be a bit more over) - I think the fact my HCG was in the 6/7 week level 2 weeks ago though kind of gives me my answer unfortunately.

Part of me feels like she wouldn’t have said about the flicker if she didn’t think it could be, she must of noticed something but kind of wish she didn’t say that. Thank you for your well wishes and I hope I will be back in 10 days updating this in a positive way 🤍

@PaperSheet Yup this is me right now! Still have sore boobs, waking up every morning being sick from acid reflux (only developed this 2 weeks ago which weirdly is when I think baby stopped growing) tests are still super strong.. if anything that makes me feel worse cause I feel like I’ll end up needing a D&C (would probably have done that anyway) but could take a long while for my body to get rid of the hormones which makes me sad as I want to move on, and hopefully try again sooner rather than later (feel like if I leave it too long I will build up an anxiety about it). I think it’s crazy we can still have strong symptoms/tests even when unfortunately the baby could of stopped growing weeks before.

It took me 5 weeks to get a negative test after the surgery. I was still getting "dye stealers" the first 2 weeks after. It was horrible and I was worried for a while that they'd left bits but thankfully the tests did get lighter but it was very very slow.
My nausea started after the heartbeat had stopped as well.

@PaperSheet Gosh that’s just awful. That’s why I feel sad I have to wait 10 days if something did happen 2 weeks ago & potentially a further few weeks wait after a D&C. Just never thought it would be like this and it’s sad. I hope you recovered and have been able to move past this x

@EllieJade95 my first scan didn't add up with the clear blue dates either so I wasn't hopeful at all. Really hope it does work out for you. If it doesn't then don't give up hope. I had 3 miscarriages before this one and was extremely fertile after each one. Hope you have a positive update to give us in 10 days time.

We live in Japan where it's very normal and expected to go for a scan from 5 weeks. I knew there was nothing chance to see much at 5 weeks so I went at when I thought I was 7 weeks. At that scan they said I was still measuring 5 weeks and said to prepare for the worst, basically. After that first scan is when I had bleeding. I went back 2 times for another scan but nothing changed and I was allowed to miscarry naturally.