Seen heart flutterring at 6 wks, could I miscarry without knowing?

[Ladyopheliastar]

My midwife suggested that despite having seen the embryo and heart valves flutter,that it might not be there by my dating scan. Can that happen without you knowing you miscarried?

Miscarriage rates can drop a lot after seeing the heartbeat (depending on the size of the embryo at that time).

Although you could miscarry without knowing it (a missed miscarriage) the embryo would then still be inside you. Was she suggesting the embryo might not be there or the heartbeat?

Well, I have a picture from the scan, so I guess not. I was just horrified at the idea of going to a scan and it was 'gone' and I didn't know until then!

If you saw a heart beat at 6 weeks that shows that it is an established viable pregnancy in the right place etc and you are over the first hurdle (much can go wrong up until then). Statistically, your chance of mc that embryo go down - but I think there is always a chance of mc right up until the birth, unfortunately. Some people do go to the 12 week scan thinking all is well and unfortunately find teh baby has jsut stopped growing and dies at 7/8/9 weeks, but mist have those won't have had a 6 weeks scan.

I don't knwo why she would have said that to you - what a negative thing to say. It does happen but you know you have a viable established pregnancy so your chances are good. Also, if you were to mc, it might not necessaril be a missed miscarriage - normally you will know (cramps/heavy bleeding)

ladyophelia I am in exactly the same place as you right now. Has some red spotting but no pain last wednesday and got a scan at my local EPU, was about 7 weeks by my dates. The sonographer said there was a strong heartbeat and everything looked ok but it was only 6mm in size which meant that I may as far along as I thought although I'm now worrying that the baby isn't growing and its all going to go tits up. So much so that I did a pg test today just to check. Have mt dating scan on Tuesday next week and I'm really concerned although trying not to get stressed out. However next tuesday seems so far away..............

Let me know how you get on xx

Agree with fabhead, what a negative and unnecessary thing to say If I remember correctly, the chances of having a healthy pregnancy when the heartbeat is seen is something like 98% so reckon your chances are pretty good

Boo and double boo to your midwife for giving you something else to worry about.

lady have you namechanged?

Lady that is a most unusual thing for your mw to say. Of course pregnancies can go wrong at any time, but seeing a heartbeat puts you in a very low percentile of risk of loss, so you should relax (well as much as any pg woman can relax ).

FFS! early scans are often referred to as 'reassurance' scans, not 'scare the shit out of the mother' scans...don't know what the MW was thinking! Congratulations, and all the best!

Why did she say that?

Are you having any problems with the pregnancy?

if not then try not to worry and ask for a different MW to look after you.

Lady that seems to be a totally negative and unnecessary thing for your midwife to say.

From what I can remember from other threads you've posted, you seem to have had a fairly stressful few weeks, and i really hope you can find a way to relax a little. I think the first trimester is VERY difficult for many of us. Am sure that as your pregnancy progresses you will be able to enjoy it a lot more.

FWIW, I'm almost 9 wks pregnant, and stressed out myself! Very, very normal to overly worry, ime.

Thanks for all your comments ladies. You have helped to reassure me. Some people I know at work didn't find out they were pregnant until 11 weeks. I envy that in a way, but there is no way I couldn't notice I am pregnant!

I was thinking about doing the odd pregnancy test, to make sure. However, I read on this site on a m/c thread that hormone levels can be deceiving. I guess I have to accept that you can't be in control of everything!

I am looking forward to being far enough along that I can enjoy being pregnant

Glad you are reassured Lady. NOW STOP READING MC THREADS!!!!