Hi... I am 43, expecting #2, am hopefully 7 weeks along, just went for first U/S two days ago... they said there was a slow heart rate, but wouldn't elaborate... What does this mean? What should I do? I plan on speaking w/ my OB next week, have an appt. in 2 weeks, I can't wait that long! Has this happened to anyone else with a positive outcome? ↓
I can't believe they didn't refer you directly to your OB or schedule another u/s. Did they say how slow? I wouldn't wait another 2 weeks if I were you, that is an unreasonable expectation for you. I would call and demand another u/s for about a week after your 1st one. I had a somewhat similar situation. I went in at 6w5d (4th pregnancy, hopefully 3rd successful) and the heartbeat seemed slow to me because I was remembering what my daughters looked like at the same time. Doc didn't seem concerned, but I was freaking out. I asked for another u/s (course I am gonna have to pay for it) and when I was supposed to be 8weeks everything looked great except I was now dated at 7w4d, which there wasn't anything wrong with, I was just hoping to be getting closer to the 12 week point :( I hope everything works out for you and please keep me posted. ↑
Hi - Thanks for the reply... No, they didn't refer me to my OB or schedule another u/s... and didn't say how slow... I'm very irritated at them! They also dated me at 6w7d... I thought I was further along too... I'm not waiting, no way... I'll get back when I know more... ↑
I would schedule another US. I can't believe they didn't refer you back to your OB...or someone. Unfortualtely I don't have a good story. I went in thinking I was 8 w and the Us said only 6w3d...and a slow heaert beat. I am currently going through a m/c. I can to this forum when I was looking for answers too. I truly wish I had a better story to set your mind a peace. However every pregnancy is different, and your story could turn out just perfect. I will say a prayer for you....stay positive. I would however get serious with your doctor and get some answers. It can make all the difference. God bless! ↑
Dear Ellen. I went through exactly the same thing you are experiencing. I was 7 weeks pregnant when I started spotting and then moderately bleeding. I immediately went to my OB and they gave me an ultrasound which showed an embryo of almost 6 weeks in size and a heart beat of only 81 bmp. They advised me bed rest and to repeat the US in 3 days. Upon the second scan, it did show the baby grew a little and the HB went up to 91 bpm. Good news. My OB gave me a 50/50 chance to carry this to term. However, my bleeding continued and I started to pass small clots. I went again for another US 3 days later to track the baby's progress and unfortunately, they were not able to find the baby's heartbeat. I was very heartbroken even though I knew I was probably not going to have a good outcome since the research I did on slow embryonic heart beats usually resulted in a miscarriage. I am so sorry. I do believe in miracles and my doctor said he did experiences cases where the babies survived. Every pregnancy is different. I am currently in the ending stages of a miscarriage but look forward to trying again. I would recommend going back to your OB ASAP for an US to track your babies progress and give YOU peace of mind. Good luck with everything. ↑
Hi Ellen. I forgot to mention that according to my doc and the research I've done, in very early pregnancy the embryo's heart beat should go up 10bpm every 3 days and grow about 1 mm a day. I am not a doctor, but this is what my doctor was looking for with my repeat ultrasounds when my baby's heartbeat was low at 7 & 8 wks. I hope this information is helpful. It's also a GREAT sign that you are not bleeding--- So keep the faith and let me know how your appts go! ↑
Thanks for everyone's replies... whether good outcomes or not... I feel for everyone. I am still hopeful about this preg., since I haven't had one lick of spotting or bleeding, Thank God. I emailed my OB, who wants me to go to another u/s facility, but it's one I've never heard of, and is not on my health insurance providers list of facilities. So I sent him a .pdf of the list. I can't afford to go to an out of network facility! So I'm not yet panicky, not too much, because I haven't seen another u/s yet. I guess time will tell what will happen. I sure would like to know what's going on. I might just call the OB now... although it's so hard to get through sometimes. ↑
Okay... so to update... I contacted both my OB and the u/s Dr. (radiologist). The u/s Dr. said he noted a heartbeat, that there was a living being growing inside me, and everything seemed to be normal, except for a slower heart rate. He didn't say how slow, as apparently they didn't record that. He also felt it was too early in the pregnancy to measure the hr. So he didn't see any real need for concern. He said only time will tell. My OB's nurse called, and basically said the same thing, that everything seemed fine, and that the u/s Dr. didn't feel there was a need for another u/s yet. They were both reassuring, to an extent, so I feel better, but I'm still wondering what's going on inside... Oh, yeah, and the OB wants me to see the same u/s people as last time, he just used a different name. Unfortunately, they are in "negotiations" with my insurance provider. So I can't go to them, unless I pay out of pocket. grrrrrrrr.... ↑
Another update... saw the OB this past Friday 2/25, (2 Dr. office, so saw the other Dr., a woman Dr.). She reviewed the 1st u/s report, (which I saw, and it said the heart rate was only 52 bpm!!! To say the least, I was aghast!) and the OB immediately ordered another u/s, which I have scheduled for next week. The rest of the u/s report said everything suggested a normal pregnancy, save for the slow hr. This is so irritating. I can't stand waiting around. I haven't had any morning sickness at all, no bleeding/spotting, so I'm not m/c, but after reading about low hr's elsewhere, I've not seen any as low as the reading I had, and seemingly statistics say I have a higher than normal chance of m/c in the first trimester if the hr is lower than, say, 98 bpm. But with no u/s, I won't know for another week what's going on (and it's been more than two weeks since the last u/s, and will be three weeks when I go in next week!) This is so excruciating... any words of optimism or comfort out there? I'm not handling this well... My hubby is helpful at times, but I need more... I can't stand waiting!! Urgggh! ↑
Here again, updating only to myself... seemingly... well, this past Saturday I had my first ever spotting experience. It was slightly brownish, and not very much, staining my undies. And I had some lower left side dull aching, but no real cramping. But so far, nothing since... I have rescheduled my u/s for tomorrow morning at 10 AM instead of Thursday. I don't know why exactly, but I have a sneaking suspicion that something has gone awry, but I won't know for sure until after the u/s. Things just don't feel "normal". I'm going to steel myself for the worst case scenario... but I'll accept any comforting words or well wishes from whomever reads this. Sometimes I feel like screaming at the original u/s tech & Dr., since they were the ones who wouldn't "elaborate" on the slow hr. It's not fair to leave someone hanging like that... the waiting and wondering is excruciating, and from reading so many of these posts, I know many others must have similar feelings and experiences. I feel comforted knowing I'm not the only one having these experiences. I'll keep updating - only time will tell... the one fortunate thing for me, for my family, is that we still have been blessed by one beautiful and sweet little girl who is almost 2 yrs. old, and we love her so much! My heart goes out to those who suffer loss and don't have even one. We were so lucky... Good luck to all of you! ↑
Hi, Ellen. I am so sorry for the stress that you are going through. I hope and pray that everything works out for you and should this pregnancy end up in loss, I hope you don't give up trying to have another little baby and I wish you more than the best of luck. ↑
Hello ellen, I am so sorry to read about what is going on with you and your baby. I hope that there is a better outcome please keep us posted............God bless, your in my prayers ↑
I hope all goes well for you! Soemtimes those little hearts do pick up. Do you still have pregnancy symptoms? That's alwasy a good sign. please let us know tomorrow! ↑
Ellen, what happened? I just went to OB today with spotting too. I am almost 9 wks and baby is only 102 bpm and measuring small. OB said it's likely I'll miscarry. Just curious about you. I hope she's wrong. This would be our #2, but I am 39 next month, so I can't keep trying. I'm afraid it was due to my age. ↑
Linda - you're young yet at 39... I'm a mere 43, and will be 44 this year... but I'm still game to try for another, even if this one doesn't work out... there's plenty of other women over 40 trying for little ones... age isn't the only reason things don't work out, there are plenty of other reasons... I've got the book "What to Expect When you're Expecting", and there's plenty of detail there. So don't give up yet! And thanks to the others for the kind words and thoughts. I'll be back in touch tomorrow after my u/s results. ↑
Ellen, what happened with your ultrasound? I just heard from my doc's office a few minutes ago, they want me to go back for my 2nd ultrasound tomorrow. My first ultrasound last week, at 7 weeks along, showed a "little bit slow' heart rate. I don't know what this means. They had no numbers from the clinic. ↑
I am scheduled for 2nd internal u/s Monday afternoon. Had progesterone checked this a.m. Hope to have results from that tomorrow. I just can't decide what to think. OB said I would miscarry. She was pretty confident. But then I see the notes on this site, from others in same boat, and things turned out great.
Can I be 8-9 weeks and measure 5-6 wks? Can babys heartbeat be 102, and still be viable pregnancy?
I am SOOO tired, and sooo confused. Crying and crying... ↑
Well gang... the news is here, and it's not good. I went in for my 2nd u/s today (at a different facility-nicer folks), and the tech there didn't see a pregnancy anymore. She saw a gestational sac, but no fetus, no heartbeat, just some tissue. She said it had probably stopped developing earlier on. Which really didn't surprise me, after all the reading & research I've done. She agreed with me, that a hr of only 52 is definitely not right, and that she would have had me come back for another u/s sooner (if I'd only gone to her before!). She said she'd contact my OB, give them her report, and they'd let me know about scheduling a D&C. I haven't had any spotting or bleeding, not since last Saturday (when I spotted a bit), and no major cramping or anything (just a dull ache on one side). I had a sneaking suspicion that there was something wrong with this pregnancy... things just didn't feel "right". I had tender breasts, but off and on, the nipple area didn't get darker and lumpier, as they did last time, I had no morning sickness at all, and I didn't have any cravings. Well, like I said before, I am still blessed to have my little girl, she's a doll (except when she doesn't want to nap!), and I am very thankful for her. I expect we'll try again, after I've recovered from the D&C. So thanks so much for everyone's concerned replies... you all, even though you're strangers, have truly made me feel comforted through all this. Thank you. I wish the best of luck to others who also go through this unpleasant state of limbo. Back to the drawing board... Oh, and on a positive note, at least now I can drink caffeine or alcohol, and eat what I want!! (I've been restricting my diet, since I had GD last pregnancy) Don't worry, I'm not that much of a drinker! And I'll continue with my prenatal vitamins in preparation for another try later on. See ya'll later! ↑
Ellen, I am so sorry to hear that. You sound like you are being strong about it. I really wish the best for your next try. I am going from my ultrasound this afternoon. At my ultrasound last week, at 7 week along, the baby mesured at 6w 5d, so that is ok, but they told me the heart rate was "a little bit slow". I am hoping that the heart beat is stronger today....but I am very nervous about it. ↑
I have been serching the net trying to find out about EHR. I had my first appt 02/17 they did a sono to determine my due date and apparently at that time they found a slow rate but didnt tell me, they told me I needed another to determine the due date. I had my second one yesterday 03/01, at that time they put me at 7 weeks exact and the heart rate is 77-79. This time when the Dr went over it with me, she told me it was low last time. I was bothered that no one told me. This time I asked her to read to me the report as she has it, well she also added that my amniotic sac is smaller than it should be this time. But the baby is still growing on target. They said I have to have another sono next Thurs to determine viability. She said that most likely I will miscarry and from what I have read that is true. The waiting is driving me crazy, every little twitch or ache I feel is like oh god is it starting now?. If I go back next week and the heart rate is lower but still there then she said that I need to decide if I want to take medicine to "expell it" or just wait until nature takes it coarse. I have read all of your postings and Sherry I hope and pray that u are the small % that makes it past your first trimester. Ellen I am very sorry to hear that your outcome was not so great, I only hope to have your strength, because right now I cant seem to find any. If I could offer any advice to anyone going through this one would be to discuss it like this - my husband is being very supportive but he still can not relate as well as he thinks he can, and most important request to read your report from the sono tech or have them read it out to you while you are there. If you dont ask they wont tell anymore then THEY feel is necessary. Thanks for letting me have this moment to get this out. I hope to read how Sherry's appt went. ↑
Sorry to tell you this, Cris, but I do not have good news. I went for my ultrasound yesterday and there was no fetal heart beat. It turns out that the heart rate last week was only 64. This is far from the "little bit low" rating that they gave me over the phone. I know that for 7 weeks, the heart rate should have been around 140. When I saw it on the ultrasound it looks different too, a little smaller. I have not started spotting yet, and the doctor has given me the decision to have a D & C or to pass it naturally. I have thought about this hard since last night, between my crying. I just call the doc's office to make an appointment for a D & C, I don't think I can wait for 2 or 3 weeks or how ever long it takes to miscarriage naturally. It would add to my pain and grief.
I am sorry to say this Cris, but you may be in the same boat as me, I truly hope I am wrong, and your little one's heart rate will increase, but the odds are against that. It's so hard,,,,I know your pain.
My husband is having a hard time with this too. I know we will try again when I can. Best wishes to you. ↑
i had an u/s today at what should have been 7w3d, but the baby only measured 5w5d and the hr was only 89bpm. i have to wait for a f/u u/s in 9 days. i know it doesn't look good and i am hoping i will miscarry naturally before my next appt. ↑
Hi, I've been reading all your responses. I had an ultrasound last Thursday when I was 7w6days and the OB told me the heart rate was a little slow at 100bpm. Also the fetus is measuring 6 weeks. I am pretty sure of my dates though the doctor says my pregnancy could be younger than I think. I am going back next week for a followup. Does anyone have an opinion? ↑
My wife and I are in a similar situation as many of you. Here is the clearest info I’ve been able to locate on the web:
The Living Embryo and threatened abortion:
The presence of an embryonic heartbeat is highly reassuring. When visualized by Low Resolution Abdominal sonography, more than 90% of pregnancies continue. Visualization by high resolution vaginal sonography is associated with a 70% continuance rate. The apparent discrepancy is because the heartbeat is a stronger positive sign in the larger more advanced embryos seen by transabdominal scanning.
The rate of pregnancy loss with positive heartbeat varies with gestational age and the presence of vaginal bleeding:
-Heartbeat at < 6 week., With bleeding 33% are lost, 16% are lost if no bleeding present
-Heartbeat at 7-9 week., With bleeding 10% are lost, 5 % are lost without bleeding present
-Heartbeat at 9-11 week., With bleeding 4 % are lost, 1-2% are lost without bleeding present.
The prognosis for the living embryo improves as gestation proceeds.
Hi- I am so lucky to have found this information- I am sorry to hear that some of you have had miss's. I will keep all of you in my prayers. I am pregnant at thought I was 6w4d, I went for u/s today I measured 5w?d. The heart rate is 88, I am going in 1 week for another- anyone have thoughts or ideas? Is 88 too low for this stage? My OB said it could go either way- Please help- thanks ↑
Hi- I went through the same problems back in November. Needless to say, I miscarried. I just found out a few weeks ago that I'm pregnant again. I had may first ultrasound last week, I thought I was 7weeks, but the OB said I was 6w2d. Should this be cause for alarm? They told me that it was normal to be a few days off and that my ultrasound looked great. Baby was 5mm and a hr of 114. What do you guys think. I'm just still so weary, I don't want to go through the same pain and heartache as last time. Thanks! ↑
Ellen and others who missed m.c. I am so sorry- I completely understand your pain b/c I had one in Jan. It is so upsetting to have conceived, and then for it to be taken away! Then, after if you decide to try again,you must wait for your cycle to get back to normal. I'm sorry, I'm currently trying again and amso frustrated! ↑
Wow! I was looking for some information about this and was glad to find this posting. I too am having some problems. I had some bleeding and was concerned that I lost my baby so I went into have an u/syesterday. Turns out I was having triplets (no fertility drugs) and lost one of the babies. One of the 2 that are left has a heart beat about 70% of what it should be and the doctor is concerned that I may loose that one too. I go in next week, April 8th, to check on it and see if it is improving. I know I should be happy with the one being healthy but I am quite scared and sad about loosing one already. This is my first pregancy and I am hoping for the best. Keep me in your prayers as I will all of you. ↑
Glad to hear I am not the only one in this scary boat! Had an u/s last Tuesday when I was 7w 5 days, measured 6w 5 days with a HR of 73. Going in on this Tuesday again with some dim expectations. I suspect this will be my third m/c. At 39, I cannot take it anymore - but I don't mean to sound dramatic. We have a beautiful nearly 4 year old son, and I feel like I can no longer expend emotional energy, and the ensuing sisappointment, on trying for a baby. It's not fiar to my son. Thanks all for sharing your stories - it is unbeliveably sad that we are all brought together through similar tragedies. ↑
Not good - fetus now has a hr of 64, and is measuring 7w 1 day, when I should be 8 w 5 days. Doctor will repeat scan in 10 days . . . aaarrrggghhh . . . he did say he's not overly optomistic, that all this could signal a chromosomal abnormality. No one's sure - just have to sit tight - easy for him to say! He did assure me that if the fetus dies that he'll do a D & C so I do not have to go through miscarrying at home. Thanks for asking, though . . . ↑
