Positive tests but early scan inconclusive - should I still hope?

[gruffalomum]

Hi,
After several positive tests and the symptoms I had with my first pregnancy I was starting to get excited that DH and I had been very very lucky to have hit the jackpot first try for DC2.

However, I had some very light bleeding around the time of my positive tests and so checked with the GP. I had this with my first pregnancy twice and all was fine.

Went for early scan today. They estimated I was 6+4 but the scan showed only a thickened lining of my uterus, no sac. The pregnancy test they did came up positive but it took a while and didn't get really strong.

The DR has referred me for another scan in two weeks time and said to continue to act as though I might be pregnant as you do when ttc. When pressed he said that it was unlikely that I would end up being pregnant but that it was still possible.

I feel devastated and confused and just don't know what to do or think. We are so keen for DC2 and now it seems that in the absence of a period or anything we can't even begin to plan to ttc again.

Has anyone had a similar experience or suggest what I can do either to help this baby stick or to prepare better for next time?

Thanks in advance

Did they do an internal scan? I had a scan at 5 weeks that only showed a thickening, but no baby. Another scan at 6 or 7 weeks did show a fetal pole though.

Whatever happens though, it isnt your fault! There isnt anything you can do to prepare better or to help it stick, its all down to Mother Nature.

This must be a confusing time for you, I have have also been in this limbo time, not knowing what was going on. I hope all goes well for you x

Hi gruffalo

Sorry you are going through this uncertainty, I know how tough the waiting is.

I'm a bit confused about how they estimated you are 6+4 if they could not see anything to measure on the scan - do you mean they just dated you by your LMP? That is the usual practice until scan measurements suggest otherwise, but it can be way off if you ovulated late. When did you first test positive?

There are two possible outcomes - either your pregnancy is viable but the dates are wrong, and it is still too early to see anything (this would be the case if you are say, less than 5 weeks). Or the pregnancy is not going to progress as the dr suggested. I really hope it's the former, but it's impossible to say, which is why they've told you to come back - they have to give the pregnancy the benefit of the doubt.

I think you are going to keep hoping because it's impossible not to, until you get some clear answers. I've been through similar and it was a long two weeks I'm afraid.

Have they done blood tests to check your HCG levels are doubling? These might give you an indication much sooner, although they are not as conclusive as the scan.

Sadly there is nothing you can do to help this baby stick, and I would wait and think about preparing for next time once you know what's going on. You can do all the right things in terms of eating healthily, etc. but nothing at all is guaranteed to prevent a mc. Chances of a successful pregnancy are really high even after a mc though.

Really hope for you that your dates are just off and all turns out ok. Fingers x'd.

Hi gruffalo, so sorry to hear you're going through this, you must feel rather left in the lurch.
I've got to say though I didn't think they could even see a heartbeat until 7/8 weeks, and as 2ndDestiny says; how do you know your dates are right? Turned out the difference between my LMP due date and the scan due date was just over 2 weeks in the end... hence why I went through 2 negative pregnancy tests before I got my BFP.
Really hope the baby sticks, thinking of you

Thank you all so much, I really appreciate you taking the time to post.

I have no idea really about dates as this was my first cycle after stopping BF so have only had one period.

I got ovulation pain and a positive ovultation test on 28th April, first day of last period was 9 April so I guess that is what they have used for the calculation...

They didn't offer blood tests, just to do another test and come in for a scan in two weeks if I dont' have bleeding between now and then. The scan today was internal.

2ndDestiny you are right I will just keep hoping...thank you all for your understanding and support. I feel a bit guilty to post about this when others have had far more traumatic situations. I hope that you all had good outcomes from your situations.

Don't feel guilty about posting, you will find posts about everything from the utterly traumatic to the totally frivolous on here (and your post is certainly not frivolous). It does sound like you may have ovulated a little late. Let's hope so.

Btw in my case I did have a mc last year but with this pregnancy (which started with bleeding, pain, inconclusive scan and a horrible wait) seems to be fine now at 22wks (currently being kicked in the bladder ).

Good luck.

Thanks 2ndDestiny, you have been really kind.

congratulations on your pregnancy, the kicking sounds like a very positive sign if a bit uncomfortable!!

Thank you for the reassurance, the start must have been horrid for you, especially following your earlier mc. I am so pleased you had a happy outcome.

I have explained it all to DH and he thinks that my dates must be a bit wrong to - I am trying hard to to get my hopes up too high but it would be amazing if it did work out. Just got to play the waiting game now...

Thank you again, I really appreciate it.

They've based the 6+4 on your LMP, but if you were right and ovulated on the 28th, then that is 6 days after the standard 14CD ovulation, so you should only be 5+4/5. That might make a difference.

You can ask your GP for the 48 hour HCG tests - when they test your blood HCG levels about 48 hours apart to see if they double.

Another thing to try is to get 2 or 3 good tests of the same brand (e.g. First Response - don't get digitals!) and test with first morning urine 1 day, and then 2 days later. If you drink about the same the evening before and sleep through the night for about the same time, the urine levels will be more accurate to compare than testing during the day. If the tests are getting lighter, that's a bad sign.

Hi japhrimel

Thank you so much for taking the time to post and for your sensible advice - I am cheered by your calculations but trying to remain realistic.

~Thank you also for the advice on tests - I hadn't realised I could ask for the HCG tests myself.

Feeling really sick again today which is probably down to the worrying and a sleepless night. No bleeding though so I suppose there is still a glimer of hope.

Thank you again, hope you are in a happier situation.

Felt I should post a quick update - after increasingly strong symptoms and results on first response tests I started bleeding yesterday.

so far just like a bad period so I am grateful for that.

very upsetting but going to try very hard to not let it become a huge issue, we plan to try again as soon as we can.

thank you all for your advice and support.

Im very sorry Gruff