Miscarriage Questions

Those are questions for an OB and any good OB would be happy to answer those questions on the phone via his/her nurse. I do know that it is not uncommon to be unable to hear the heartbeat when the fetus is so young. It may mean that you are just not as far along as you think you are. Pregnancy due dates are measured on a chart that assumes you have a 28 day cycle and ovulated on day 14 which is the median for woman's cycles but not the norm. If you usually have a cycle that is longer than 28 days then it is logical to assume you ovulated later than the day 14 that the due date charts and you may just not be as far along as you thought. That would explain why the heartbeat was hard to detect the firs time. PS. The comment that someone else made that stress may lead to a miscarriage is false. Stress does not lead to miscarriage.

Congrats on your pregnancy, by the way!

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I think the reason she said you should expect to miscarry is because a fetus usually develops a heartbeat between 4 and 6 weeks gestation. When she didn't see it at 9 weeks (4-5 weeks later than what's "Normal") she told you to expect the worst. However, there are plenty of reasons why she could not detect a heartbeat at that time. The estimated day of conception could have been wrong, you could have been less progressed in the pregnancy than you thought, the baby could have been developing a little later than "normal," or about a hundred other things. The fact that the baby has a heartbeat now says that it's doing fine. I wouldn't go through the next 7 months worrying that something will be wrong. Just enjoy your pregnancy and have a healthy baby! Congratulations on your pregnancy.

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The heartbeat probably had not developed yet. The baby is not on the same time table as everyone thought. Your baby should be healthy but take care of yourself and see your DR. regularly. Congratulations! Every healthy baby is a miracle!
C. B

I did have a miscarriage and D&C at 10weeks and went on to have a wonderful boy 14 months later. We had told everyone about the baby and so prayers, cards,etc. helped. We also planted a tree in the baby's memory-with two more for my older child and the new baby! Best of luck to you.

Congrats!! What great news!

My first pregnancy was very similar and I did end up miscarrying, but my mom's pregnancy with me was also similar, and I'm here today with no problems to speak of. I would try not to worry about it. I know it's not easy to do. If you'd feel better, you might try talking to another doctor for a second opinion, or even a specialist. I can recommend a great specialist. It sounds like you're on the right track now, and you're almost out of the "high-risk" zone. Try to rest and relax, and see what happens at the next visit. I have heard of the heartbeat just being hard to pick up, or maybe you weren't really 9 weeks at the time and the hearbeat just wasn't detectable at the time. GL! I hope it all goes well!

J.,
I was a twin. My Mom miscarried my sib. They were getting her prepped for a D&C and heard a heartbeat (they didn't even know that she was carrying twins!). I was born two months later. I was smaller than my other sibs at birth but, healthy as a horse. Don't rob yourself of the joy of your pregnancy. P.S. They also told Mom that I was going to be a boy!

J., I have not had this happen, but my heart goes out to you for the range of emotions you must have been feeling--and may still be feeling! I am sure your baby will be healthy; take good care of yourself, try not to worry too much, and trust that your body is strong and ready for this miracle!
S.

J.,
What you had happen did not happen to me, but I just wanted to tell you that I am so happy for you that you are still pregnant! Yes, doctor's are human too, and rely on equipment that can be faulty or need new batteries sometimes, so mistakes are made. Thank God she decided to do another ultrasound before doing your D&C! I miscarried several years ago when I was just over 5 months pregnant with twins, and they had to do a D&C on me. I am so glad that you didn't have to go through that! You are truly blessed to still be pregnant! Congratulations!

Have you already had the D & C?
I've had this happen to friends and they ended up with healthy babies because they refused the D & C.

I, personally, have had 2 miscarriages. No need for D & C, but it wasn't fun. I'm sorry you're having to deal with this.

J.-
I don't have any answers or suggestions, but I just want to say that I will be praying for you and your baby, and I'm so sorry for you and your family for having to go through all this heartache.

J.,

Women let me tell you...... doctors are human too and we all make mistakes. Your baby should be just fine!! Things like that happen all the time, they just prepare you for the worse. Just dont do crazy things like, carrying heavy things, running,jumping etc.... Just take it easy and relax.

Best wishes, E.

J.,
I have a friend this happened to. Her doctor said "there is no heartbeat. Come in next week and we'll do a DNC..." She decided to wait until the baby came out by itself. Well the baby did come out, about 9 months later; and she was just fine. Ultrasounds are not reliable pieces of technology. Personally, I think it's ridiculous how doctors rely so much upon them. Don't worry about your baby. Your body knows what it's doing in creating another human being. And I'm sure you'll have a perfectly healthy bundle of joy in a few months.

J.

I think you need to take it easy and see what happens at your next visit. First of all, I did not have my first ultra sound until I was 15 weeks along. My doctor said that any time before that the heart beat at times is not detected. So I would keep relaxing and DO NOT stress about it. Let your body take care of that little one! I think you are going to have a healthy and sucessful pregnancy. Wow, even doctors are not perfect! Good Luck and Congrats!!!

be careful with what you do, and listen to your doctor. my next door neighbor had a similar experience, except that when they heard the heart beat it was weak. pray for help and guidance. Good Luck and God bless you!

It is my experience that these sorts of things happen a lot. I don't think you have any reason to think that this pregnancy will have problems. Ultrasounds are supposed to be reassuring, but boy do I hear a ton of stories about women getting scared to death over false results.

This website may be helpful:
http://www.misdiagnosedmiscarriage.com/

Hey J.
I think I have read of this happening before, so it is not uncommon for it to happen. My guess is the doctor maybe wasn't operating the machine correctly (or the US tech?). There's no way the heart stopped beating and then suddenly start again. I'm sure baby was there all along, doing just fine.
When I would go in for ultrasounds, my boy would do acrobatics - like he was trying to avoid getting seen. And especially when they would try to listen to the heartbeat though that little machine. There were a couple times my doctor gave up even trying to count the heartbeat with that thing because he was moving around too much.
I don't know who your doctor is or where you are going, but I went to Billings OBGYN Associates and they are great. Their US tech is fantastic too.
Just keep up with the doctor appointments and I'm sure future ultrasounds will show you have nothing to worry about. Take care of yourself, and congratulations!

Sometimes you can't hear the heartbeat until 12 weeks. Just try and take it easy:)