Miscarriage or rookie sonographer?

[MissAnnaBananaG]

Hi, I need advice please as I am spiralling this evening. I am just back from a private scan, where I am approximately 7 weeks 5 days pregnant with first baby. The sonographer was very quick to inform me that she thought I was having a ‘missed miscarriage’ and informed me that she couldn’t see a heartbeat and baby was measuring 3.9mm (CRL).

I am really confused by this as I had a scan on the 3rd January at the NHS Early Pregnancy Unit (due to previous loss); at this scan, yolk sac and fetus visualised, heartbeat present, CRL 3.4mm. I then had a private scan on 11th January; yolk sac and baby seen, heartbeat also present and beating strongly, CRL 5.4mm.

I am having no symptoms of a miscarriage, the only reason I went for a private scan this evening was that I am going on holiday next week and just wanted to check everything was ok before I go. All of the above scans (all 3) have been transvaginal. Both private scans were done in different clinics.

My question is, is there a chance the sonographer this evening could be wrong as is it possible for the CRL to measure 5.4mm just over a week ago and now only measure 3.9mm? Is it possible that the CRL would shrink if I am miscarrying? I’ve to phone EPU tomorrow but please any advice/thoughts/similar experiences as I am distraught.

I'm sorry you are going through this. Different clinics, even the same places, will have machinery will varying degrees of precision, plus the experience of the sonographer, plus the position in the uterus of the foetus. Not to mention, the fact its only mm's at this stage- which is absolutely tiny! Any reason you went to a different clinic for the 2nd private scan?

Unfortunately, the body can absorb the foetus back IF things haven't worked out, which might explain the shrinkage. It might just be the equipment though. Wishing you all the best though and hopefully the EPU tomorrow can offer some help x

Yes it is possible for the measurements to be out, they are dealing in fractions of millimetres at this stage.

This is one of the reasons many are against private clinics offering early scans for profits as they often cause more worry than anything else. 3 scans before 8 weeks is a lot and, unfortunately, tells you absolutely nothing about the viability of the pregnancy.

Thats by the by now though, the biggest concern tonight is that they couldn't detect the heartbeat. Please do call EPU asap and explain, hopefully they can get you in for a second opinion.

Good luck.

Thank you! Yeah the only reason for different clinic was availability; the first one I’d went to didn’t have availability for a few weeks. Thank you for the advice