6 weeks with slow heartbeat detected

[CourtneyMB93]

Hi everyone,

This is my first pregnancy and prior to yesterday, I’ve had pretty strong symptoms (boobs very sore and extremely tired, feeling a little sick on and off). Yesterday morning I passed some brown blood when wiping and then another time after a smaller stringy redder piece, on and off yesterday but not heavy and mostly brown. Had a private scan booked yesterday and they’d confirmed I was 6 weeks 1 day and baby had grown since last scan to 4.5mm but the heart beat was very slow. They said it was 50/50 at this point and to come back in a week. I’ve noticed my symptoms have really subsided (not up as much weeing in the night, boobs aren’t sore) but I’ve had no more blood. Didn’t have cramps or pain. I haven’t slept and I’m feeling so at a loss and hopeless given I was told 50/50 and am praying for a stronger heartbeat but the wait until next week is awful. Has anyone had anything similar and a positive outcome? I’m beside myself. Is this normal for 6 weeks? I know the heartbeat can sometimes not be heard at all that early but coupled with the small bleed yesterday and change in symptoms I’m worried. Calling EPU this morning.

thanks,

I’m really sorry you’re going through this, what a worry.
I hope I can reassure you but I’ve been in a very similar situation myself and sadly it’s hard to feel reassured until you know for sure.
I had barely any symptoms with both my pregnancies. With my first, I only knew I was pregnant due to a missed period and a 6 week scan- I had nothing for the first 12 weeks. I know lots of women have their symptoms stop and still have healthy babies.

I also had on and off spotting whilst pregnant with my second and it’s nerve wracking and worrying. There was never any reason for it when I was scanned.

I also had to wait a week to be rescanned and jr was the longest week of my life. All I can say is try keep yourself busy. I worked, read books, made arrangements to meet friends. Did everything I could to stop myself sitting alone and worrying.

It’s a good idea to phone Epu. Hopefully they will scan you but they might ask you to wait it out for another week and return to them.
It’s a horrible waiting game with everything being out of your control. A really lovely midwife sat with me when I went to epu the first time and explained that what will be, will be and there was annoyingly nothing I could do but that nothing I did caused this.

I’m so sorry you’re having this worry. Spotting in pregnancy is common and I have experienced it with both of my pregnancies. The coming and going of symptoms is also not unusual. Definitely speak to the EPU though as you are concerned. Like you mentioned, 6 weeks is very early to hear the heartbeat. Fingers crossed everything is ok for you.

Hi there
I'm so sorry you are experiencing this - the same thing happened to me. Bleeding, went in for a scan (think it was 6 weeks - IVF) they found a heartbeat but said too slow. Wasn't even given 50/50 they said I would either miscarry naturally or would need to take medication and to come back in a week to see what had happened. That was the worst week of my life.
BUT when I went back a week later someone else scanned me and said everything looked perfect - heartbeat/ size etc and that at scans that early quickness if hb was irrelevant - just finding one was important. Now feeding that little baby!
I was in so much shock but really should have complained about the previous scanner but just moved on!
I hope this can give you some hope but also know I understand the absolute hell you are going through, this week will be tough to reach out to the support you have and be kind to yourself.
Will be thinking if you x

Hi,

Thank you so much for your response & kind words. That’s hopeful and I’m so glad it was positive for you. Do you mind me asking, did you only have one episode of bleeding? Was it heavy? Unfortunately this evening I’ve had a heavier bleed which was stringy and quite a large clot. I’m feeling totally hopeless and bracing myself for Saturday :-(

Hi - I'm so sorry I didn't see this! I'm sure you might know which way it went and I've got hope you have had good news. I had really heavy bleeding v/ clots for a day then light brown for about a week.
I feel so bad for not responding earlier as I know how stressful it is!

Hi, don’t worry! We’re all busy especially this time of year. Unfortunately, it isn’t looking good - I think a MC has already happened. Last week was the worst week of my life, in and out of a&e and EPU. I had a scan at EPU Saturday which showed I was still pregnant at 6 weeks 4 days, but no heartbeat still - however my bloods confirmed my HCG had dropped from 7000 to 4000. Bleeding lasted a week and is nearly finished (brown and occasional now), and no cramps or back ache. I’m certain it happened last week. I’m having a private scan tomorrow to try & get some answers before Christmas and closure and I’m scheduled in with EPU again on 27th. Not how I’d hoped my first pregnancy would go, it’s been absolute hell.

I'm really sorry your going ture this! I started a bleed at 14 weeks with to a&e on the Friday then said I had to come back Monday to be scanned it's horrible having to wait days not knowing what was going on, turns out I had lost baby at 9 weeks it was a silent miscarriage, had to get a D&C, 4 weeks later I fell pregnant again who is now my beautiful daughter. You will fall pregnant again it's just this little one wasn't ready right now xx

Oh my goodness I'm so sorry....I have no words I'm just so sorry this is happening to you, I hope you have some good solid support around. Maybe your scan tomorrow might give some answers and be helpful at the best least.