Measuring behind at early scan

[HoneyPeaches]

Feeling really low and just really hoping for some advice or positive stories.

I had my first private scan on Saturday at what I thought was 7w5d but baby is only measuring at 6w (4.7mm CRL), although the sonographer said that there was a strong heartbeat (she said she was unable to state the bpm). I am fairly confident on my ovulation dates as my partner was away for work after I suspect that I ovulated.

I have seen a mixed bag of outcomes here, some positive and some negative - although the majority seem to be the latter, especially if you are sure on dates. I phoned the EPU earlier and they booked me in for a scan on Wednesday morning to check everything but I'm so scared.

Hi @HoneyPeachesI’m crossing everything for you and I hope it goes ok. I’ve been where you are and the waiting is just horrible. Good luck to you x

Thank you for your lovely reply. Do you mind my asking how things turned out for you? x

Of course, yes. I had an early scan in the EPU because of my previous loss. I should have been around 7w5 but I was measuring 5w5. There was a heartbeat but I was told it wasn’t in line with where it probably should have been. I was told to come back in 10 days and they will rescan.

I booked in with a private gynaecologist about 7 days later as I just couldn’t wait that long and I was measuring 5w6 days but no evidence of a heartbeat.

When I went back to the EPU I was there to discuss next steps and opted for surgical management of the process as the previous time it happened naturally and I preferred to have some control over it.

Of course there are people who do have positive outcomes of this so I hope my story hasn’t upset you. It’s incredibly hard and the waiting is truly the worst. I have everything crossed for you xx

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I’m so sorry that you had to go through this, it sounds incredibly difficult and I certainly understand not being able to wait the 10 days between scans - mine is tomorrow and I feel so on edge. I hope that you are doing as okay as can be now?

I have been having some spotting on and off for the last few weeks which I was a bit worried about before, but now incredibly so after my scan.

Please accept my apologies for asking and don’t feel that you have to answer if it’s too difficult, but how was the surgical management process? I do feel my situation won’t turn out well so I need to consider my options.

Hi,
I'm sorry your going through this. I had some bleeding over a week and half go had to wait 3 days for a scan there got told there was gestational sac and a yolk but she said might be cause your to early but I knew i was roughly 7 weeks. Im having to wait 10 days for a scan which is really hard as I'm not expecting a positive outcome as Im still bleeding on and off. Just wish I could know.
I hope sending postive vibes for tomorrow

Hi lovely, thank you for your reply and I’m so sorry you are also going through this. It’s really difficult to just be told “you probably got your dates wrong” when you are fairly certain on them. My partner was away for work after I suspect I ovulated, so I know I can’t be too far off.

My heart goes out to you and I wish you all the best for your scan in 10 days. Are you able to get one any sooner?

I will update how mine goes tomorrow but I’m here if you need someone to talk to, please reach out to me if you need. It can feel incredibly isolating so it helps to know you’re not alone.

Thank you @HoneyPeaches. I know the last time we had conception was 14th September but even if I ovulated late still dont think I would be behind in dates that much. Just really disappointed with nhs at the moment. I was going book a private but nearly £100 and not sure i want to spend that money xx

Of course, I am more than happy to share if it can help you!
So as I said, I have had two MMCs. The first was discovered in a private scan at 11 weeks which I had because my NHS one was delayed. It was confirmed at the scan that it was a MMC. Because it was private, my EPU said I needed to wait one week before coming in which was awful. I actually started to bleed a day after that and the miscarriage happened naturally two days after at home. It wasn’t painful but it was traumatic as I lost a lot of blood in a short timeframe and I had to go into hospital for that. The bleeding continued for a good while afterwards.

So when I realised I was having the same situation again, I was quite adamant with them that I wanted surgical management. I had heard from others who opted for medical management that didn’t work and resulted in surgical anyway.
Honestly, though the situation was obviously awful, the surgical management was infinitely better than what I went through initially. I was put under anaesthetic, a day procedure, mild period like pain afterwards and bleeding on the day which decreased quickly.

I hope that’s not too much detail for you - please let me know if you want any more information. I did do a follow up with my private gynae after both and she was great. She did explain that while it might sound like they don’t want to do surgical to avoid workload or cost but it’s always preferable for the body to “do it itself” in that it’s less invasive.

after MMC2 I took a break from TTC for four months as I couldn’t mentally do it. I am now TTC for last six months, nothing yet. Have been to a fertility specialist and they didn’t find anything of concern. My husband will do sperm dna fragmentation testing soon. I have one DC who is nearly 3.

Anyway, I hope that is of some help to you and that things go ok for you tomorrow ❤️ sending lots of strength to you.

I’m fairly similar with my dates. I’m pretty sure I ovulated around 21st - 23rd September (positive OPK on 21st and latest day we did the deee was 22nd as my partner left early to travel for work on 23rd. Like you, I don’t think I’d be behind my dates by as much as I am.

My first scan was a private one and I agree, they are so expensive. I have seen in a few sources that there is an error rate +/- 2mm with ultrasound scans, especially when the embryo is so small. Even a mm can make a difference of a few days to a week. It can also depend on the position of the baby, if they’re curled up or if they’re too close to the uterine wall they may not be seen as easily. I still think my outcome won’t be positive but I’m trying to hold onto the good stories. Sending you all the love in the world, keep me posted if you’re able to x

The reason they make you wait between scans isn’t because they’re trying to upset anyone it’s to ensure there really isn’t any hope for the pregnancy. It would be really irresponsible for them to tell you the pregnancy wasn’t viable without following up. Plenty of women do get their dates wrong. (I’m not saying you have. Just that others do.) so they can’t just take someone’s word for it unfortunately. I do understand though as I’ve had 3 MMC myself all of which were measuring behind and with all I had to wait between 1-2 weeks to confirm it.

I tested positive on 24th September so it couldn't been too late so I just don't know. Your sounds that it could be on dates so you might be a bit behind on dates as you could be few days later 🙏🤞Thank you, keep me posted to sending love too. Ive got my Monday 10th 😬

Thank you so much for sharing your story. I’m so sorry again that you have been through so much heartbreak - you are incredibly brave and strong.

It’s a lot to take in but I would rather have all the facts and information to be able to make the best decision for me if it isn’t a positive outcome.

Wishing you all the best in your TTC journey and sending so much love your way. Thank you for all of your kindness and support ❤️

That does make a lot of sense. I suppose because my first scan on Saturday was private, when I called the EPU with my concerns they then booked me in for tomorrow to check everything. Because it’ll have been only 4 days between scans by then, I imagine they want to check the viability of the pregnancy rather than any growth but I’m not sure.

I’m really sorry to hear about your MMCs, and hope you are doing as okay as possible. Sending love!

Was the positive faint or dark? My first faint positive was 5th October which was around 13DPO, or one day before my predicted period. So I unfortunately can’t see how I would have been measuring only 6 weeks on Saturday at my early scan.

It’s just so hard to wait and the not knowing isn’t it? I hope you’re able to look after yourself between now and the 10th. Have you had any loss of symptoms or spotting or anything? My spotting is making me even more nervous too on top of the scan.

I did clear blue 6 days early one come up straight away and then digital one but didnt come back with weeks till the Sunday. I did have symptoms but had a bad cold 1 week and then the beginning of week before bleeding I had bad headache for 4 day and the Thursday felt so ill then Friday I started bleeding.so I think was it then maybe it must of stopped. I havent had really any of the symptoms but dont is that cause I ferl so stressed

Yeah I did the weeks one too on 10th October and it came back with ‘2-3’, the following week on 16th it came back with ‘3+’.

I feel like a lot of the symptoms I had a few weeks ago such as nausea, sore boobs, constipation, bloating have gone. It’s scary.

All of these things plus the scan just don’t make me feel hopeful, as I should definitely be measuring further along. Truly I hope there was an error in the measurements due to embryo being so small at this stage, but I doubt it.

Everyone says just don’t stress but it’s so much easier said than done isn’t it. It’s such a stressful and worrying time.

Its such a stressful time 😢😭can't not focus on anything

Your experience is very similar to mine. We conceived DS1 with no problems and then went on to have 2 mmc and months of trying. But I did then get pregnant again and we now have our rainbow baby so I hope this gives you hope.

OP - with my two mmc I measured behind but I also know people who have and who have then gone on to be fine. It’s so hard to know and the waiting is awful. All I could do was try and keep myself busy. I’m hoping everything works out for you.

Hi @HoneyPeaches
I'm so sorry this has happened to you. Firstly, private scans for some reason aren't always accurate. No idea why but I've heard so much bad things about their accuracy!

In 2023 I had a scan at what should have been 6w4d... I was very clear on my dates as only DTD once and tracked ovulation etc. However I was only measuring 5w3d so 8 days variance but heartbeat shown. By the time I went back in 2 weeks, I was measuring 6 days behind. At my 12 week scan I was measuring 5 days behind. By the 36week growth scan he had finally caught up and was measuring bang on his due date. He's now an absolutely mental 20 month old who is big for his age (go figure) 😂

All this to say that whilst there are unbelievably sad outcomes, there are also positive ones too. I was convinced it wouldn't be viable having had 4 losses before him.

I’m the same. I was so upset over the weekend and not being able to speak to the EPU until yesterday, and so worried at what they would say yesterday that I couldn’t go into work.

Please know you are not alone. We are here for each other ❤️

I’m so sorry to hear about your MMCs, but what beautiful news that you were able to get your rainbow baby 🌈 I hope you are all keeping well.

I am trying my best to keep busy and think positive, as I know there can be positive outcomes but it’s so hard and the wait even just for one day is unbearable. Thank you for your kindness x

Thank you for replying and sharing your story. I am so happy you had a positive outcome! I so desperately hope the same for me. Obviously I’m going for a second scan with only 4 days since the first one so I’m not expecting a miracle, but if I can see corresponding growth and a heartbeat still then that will be reassuring. Was your second scan 2 weeks later at a private clinic as well?

I have also seen online that a CRL can correspond to 6w3d or 6w4d instead of 6w which would already narrow the discrepancy if that is the case, but I can’t say why the private sonographer measured me at just 6w. At the end of the day, the measurements can be subject to human error especially when the embryo is so small and that’s something I’m trying to count on in my instance.

I have had some spotting on and off for a few weeks which I’m worried about, but it’s only ever been when I’ve checked/wiped internally with a tissue - once when wiping after a strained BM (sorry, TMI). I have had some spots of coloured discharge on my underwear but only on a few occasions and no more than the size of a rice grain.

My scan tomorrow is with the EPU so NHS, so I am hoping and praying that what they see is more in line with LMP or appropriate/more growth.

I wouldn't be too worried about spotting given you've seen the heartbeat since. Both of my scans were at hospital as I get early scans due to my history. The sonographer never said they were worried just always said its very hard to be accurate in the early days because it's so small it's difficult to get the measurements right. Hence why the first scan is usually around 12ish weeks.

I am hopeful that having seen the heartbeat is a positive sign. I spoke to the midwife yesterday before I got through to EPU and she said to ask for progesterone for the spotting, so provided that the scan tomorrow shows my pregnancy as being viable then I will do that.

The sonographer at my scan wasn’t worried either but also wasn’t very forthcoming with my questions, I suppose there isn’t much they can advise other than what they have seen on the scan as they are not part or the NHS.

Yep private ones aren't allowed give out medical advice.
I take progesterone too