Blighted Ovum?

I'm sorry this is happening, and I'm really sorry your doctor put you through so many tests.

I had a blighted ovum with my first pregnancy. I had no idea this was possible, so being told this was no fun. I only had one ultrasound, that's all that is needed to see that this is happening. I was given the option of having a D&C or waiting to see if the miscarriage would occur normally. I was allowed to wait as long as I wanted to, unless I developed other symptoms. I ended up waiting almost three months. During this time, I bled off and on lightly and had other uncomfortable symptoms from the changing hormones, like bad acne.

Eventually, I got tired of this and had the D&C. It wasn't comfortable, but it was over quickly and I felt back to normal in a couple of days.

I would get a new doctor. He/she should be telling you what they are seeing and what is going on, doing fewer tests, and giving you options.

Fire the doctor and find a different care provider... He sure managed to squeeze every last cent from your insurance with all those unnecessary tests.
Most prenatal provider will see you for the first time between 8 and 12 weeks - any fetus should be clearly visible on the ultrasound by then. And if not, then a possible D&C can be considered.

I am sorry this terrible doc put you through all of this...I hope everything works out.
Good luck.

Dear J.,

I'm so sorry you're going through all of this. A very similar thing just happened to me a month ago: positive preg test, feeling / looking pregnant, feeling flutters, the whole nine. Then I started to spot and bleed which is not typical for me. U/S revealed a gestational sac w/nothing...sac was measuring about 5-6 weeks when I thought for sure I was between 8-10. The weird part was that my hormone levels were at 25,000 which is 9-10weeks. The midwife seemed to think that was high for a b.o., but other resources I checked confirmed that it was possible. I proceeded to miscarry and things resolved in about 12 days.

All in all, I don't know what to think. Do I have another baby in Heaven or was it all a fluke? No clue, so I completely understand your frustration and hurt. I would maybe try to talk to someone who is more sympathetic and cares about actually educating their patients. Find out if you're at risk at all for just waiting this out. This early on, there is no pressing need for a D & C (12weeks+ is when they start to be concerned about that) so I wouldn't put yourself through that if it isn't necessary.

I'm really sorry both for your situation and for the fact that you aren't being treated very well. The next time you go, write down your questions if you think you might get too flustered by them to remember. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself...can your SO or friend go with you? As long as you are not at risk, you can get through this on your own w/out any sort of invasive procedure.

*hugs*

I went through this last year. I had the Mirena removed and hadn't had a real period since it was removed so I had no idea how far a long I was. They did lab work and my hormone levels were great, very high. They sent me in for an ultrasound and I figured something was wrong because the tech kept asking me "are you sure you are pregnant? did you have labs done that said you were?" She didn't show me anything and having had other children, usually they show you the sac and the heartbeat and the bean. But I brushed it off and went to work. My doctor called me as soon as I got to the office and said that my labs show I am 6 1/2 weeks a long but they couldn't find anything on the US and this was a missed miscarriage. He scheduled me for the D&C. I asked him could they be wrong, maybe in a week they will find something. He said that he was sorry, but it was not a good pregnancy and it wasn't going to happen. I asked about letting it happen naturally and he said it would probably be until I was 9 or 10 weeks before my body caught up and miscarried on its own, it could be painful, and emotionally do I really want to spend the next 3 weeks grieving and wondering when it would happen. I decided to do the D&C. I am still angry that the ultrasound person didn't tell me anything. I wouldn't have gone into the office and cried all over my cubicle. My doc was angry because his office is across the parking lot and if they had called him he would have come over to the ultrasound (I have been with him for 17 years and he is great with his patients).

With my next pregnancy I was so crazy and paranoid that the doctor sent me in for an ultrsound at 6 weeks to put my mind at ease. At that point they showed me the peanut and the heart beat. My daughter is now 4 months. I know this is hard. Hang in there.

welcome to mamapedia! I see this is your first post. Paragraphs will help people read your posts better (please not I am NOT trying to be mean - it helps when people can read it better).

I am sorry you are going through this. At 6 weeks they should be able to detect a heartbeat. If you went back after 8 weeks and they can't find a heartbeat - you aren't pregnant. Prepare yourself for that.

I know it's hard. Your mind is a VERY powerful thing - you can convince yourself of almost anything.

I have a slightly different experience than other posters... I too got the + preg. Test and then started bleeding. I was devastated when they told me it was a b.o. Continued with blood work and it was going up as it was supposed to. What a roller coaster! I was given choices as well. I decided to wait. They put me on progesterone and I waited two full weeks and then there was a beautiful heartbeat! To think I could have chosen differently...

I am so sorry you are experiencing this right now. I would wait it out. Your body will decide and take care of it or you can be more certain and better informed before making a decision. Trust in God and His plan! Hugs to you!

Is there a hearbeat? If you are even 6 weeks they should find one on transvaginal u/s. If it is a mc, I am so sorry, I just had one 2 weeks ago...

I am sorry you are going through this, I do not really have any advice but i have a friends who went at 8 weeks and they could not see anything but now she has a healthy 17 months old:). I get prenatal care from the health department and they would not even see anyone till the 2nd trimester because of those reasons.Follow your heart,wishing you the best.

You are NOT crazy and they CAN be wrong. It WAS too early. BUT, just know that I've seen a lot of ultrasounds at the 8-9 week place. The head is not as round as it will be, but very much a head and leg and arm buds are in place. So if they don't get a clear image of a little kidney bean, then it will be time to let them finish things.

As for flutters...that's your mind playing major tricks on you :)

Hang in ther, Kiddo-this happened to a friend of mine-and it had a wonderful outcome-I'll pray for you!

I'm so sorry. I do know how you feel about just wanting to make sure. I felt that way with my missed miscarriage and decided to wait it out. If I didn't I may have always questioned. I'm not sure if you actually miscarry with a blighted ovum though. I guess U/S techs aren't really supposed to say anything so it does make it uncomfortable. Wishing you the best.