A bit worried - had early scan and nothing there at 6 weeks

[Donna11]

I am 6 weeks and 5 days (from last period) and got a positive pregnancy test result. I have been trying for years (literally) to get pregnant so am really very happy that my body is capable of it (I had assumed I could not get pregnant naturally).

However, I have been spotting and the line on my pregnancy test is very very faint. I took an additional test on the clearblue digital which says 2-3 weeks which is a slight worry as I am over 6 weeks.

I am seeing my GP next week, but to put my mind at rest I booked a private early pregnancy scan yesterday and went in a couple of hours later.

She was looking and looking and said she could not confirm either way. She said that my womb lining did look a bit thickened which could indicate pregnancy, but that I should come back in 14 days as there is nothing there, and if I am pregnant it must be just too early.

My last period was on April 10th. My partner only came inside me twice in April 22nd and April 25th. That makes me 6 weeks (+5) yesterday, and I am fearing I have miscarried because of the bleeding, and because nothing was there, when normally at 6 weeks there is a sac, a little foetus and a heart beat.

Has anyone had any similar situation that has turned out ok? Any help would be appreciated. I really just want to know if I am pregnant or have miscarried so I can know how to feel.

Have you had a blood test done? You need to have your HCG levels checked. If they are too low, then chances are you are not pg or have had a missed miscarriage, sorry.

Your GP should do the blood test for you.

Thanks Thumbwitch, I didn't know that there was a blood test. If I get a blood test done and it shows what my HCG levels are, will that prove whether I am pregnant, because you could still have HCG levels even if you have miscarried couldn't you?

I had a MC at 8w just prior to Christmas - just after I started bleeding, I went to hospital and they did the HCG test. THe levels were too low for the date of the pg - and they said this indicated threatened MC. Over the next 2 days, the levels dropped - I had a scan and nothing was visible. They were concerned I might have a tubular pg, but kept checking my HCG levels and they dropped right off within 5 days. I had one more test in early January - HCG levels back to 1. So yes, you will have residual levels of HCG even if you have MC'd but they will be lower than they should be and drop fast.

FWIW - my pos pg test showed a fainter-than-I-expected line as well so I wasn't very surprised when it all went wrong.

Scans that early don't always show up a baby. Blood test will let you know for sure at this stage.

I posted this on another thread:
Empty uterus on scan at this stage doesn't necassarily mean anything is wrong. Only the hormone test will be decisive.
I had this in 2006. I had terrible pains and did a test and was pregnant. About 5-6 weeks, I went to the doctors and was sent straight to hospital for an early scan. I was told that my uterus was empty and there was a shadow on one of my tubes and booked in for surgery to remove the fallopian tube. Saw a different consultant in the afternoon and he told me the scan could often be wrong early on and he wanted to wait for the hormone results. Long story short, I had my little boy in June 2007...

Fingers crossed that it might be ok for you.

I heard that it can be harder to see anything if you have a retroverted uterus (1/4 women do). Like everyone else said, you need the blood test. Your BHCG level should be doubling every 1.5 days now so a test now and in a couple of days time will give a pretty clear idea of whether there is a healthy pregnancy there or not. Good luck- hope it all works out for you!

OK, Thank you for your help, I will get onto my GP about a blood test. I won't get my hopes up because at least they won't be dashed. I will keep an open mind and try to be more patient. It's good to know these different experiences. Thanks guys

Fingers crossed you get a good outcome, Donna. Let us know how you go.