Miscarrying pleaSe Read...

Updated on March 12, 2014
A.S. asks from Orwigsburg, PA
21 answers

hello! I went in today for my ultrasound. I was told I was 6 weeks but there was no heart beat and all they could see was the sac and a small dot in it. I went right away for a blood test and my levels were at 18,700. They want me in for a D&C Friday. my concern is do you think I need a second opinion. or is it pretty right if theres no heart beat at 6 weeks and theres only a sac my pregnancy isn't viable. on feb 26th my levels were at 1,356. we are so sad and so is our poor son :(
any thoughts or experience is greatly needed.

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O.O.

answers from Los Angeles on

I don't think an on/GYN office makes that call lightly.
I'm sorry. I've been through that several times.
((Hugs))

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J.S.

answers from Los Angeles on

I'm so sorry. I had a similar loss at 9 weeks and I needed to re check an ultra sound before I knew in my heart the baby was gone. I just needed a few days and another look. After that I lost the baby naturally in the next 72 hours so it went as I needed it to happen. Get another US. No one can know what you need for peace except you. Sending blessings.

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D.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

I am so sorry to hear your news. My feeling is that if your heart will always wonder "what if?", then you should get the second opinion. It doesn't matter what the medical opinion is, you need to do what will give you the most peace of mind. You and your family are the ones that need to live with this - don't be afraid to ask for what you need from your doctors, including a second opinion.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

How far along did you think you were?

I would probably wait a week and get a second opinion before making the decision for a D&C. At six weeks, it can be hard to see the heartbeat.

When I miscarried in 2005, I was supposed to be 11 weeks, but was measuring 9 weeks. They saw a heartbeat in 7w, 8w, 9w, but not 11w.

3 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

Both of my sisters miscarried in the last year. My older sister had a very obvious miscarriage, but my younger sister had one more like what you are describing.

HOWEVER!! The doctor who delivered my babies and my sister's 4 year old is no longer delivering babies. The new doctor she is seeing wanted to do a D&C right away. My sister was hesitant because it was still so early and the sonogram doesn't really show much at 6 weeks anyways. She went back to our old doctor who was also shocked at the "do it now" response by the other doctor. (Our old doctor is now the head of that department at the hospital so the new doctor works for her.)

The old doctor started seeing my sister and she did multiple blood tests, multiple sonograms, and then gave her choices. When her HCG levels were dropping, it was obvious a miscarriage was happening. Before this, I had never even heard of checking HCG levels...but that's what told my sister she wasn't pregnant anymore. SO...I'd decline a D&C so hastily and request to give it a week or two more.

I'm really sorry for what you're going through :(.

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L.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

So sorry. I've been through this twice. Even with my ultrasounds showing an empty sac, I held out hope that maybe it was a mistake. A hidden twin perhaps? But alas, the first time, I miscarried on my own. The second time, I asked for a D&C, because my pregnancy hormone levels were still sky high and I didn't want to continue experiencing the pregnancy symptoms, knowing that the baby had already passed.

There is probably no harm in postponing the D&C for a few days if you want to try to pass the baby naturally. (Warning: it is a mess.) Sorry again for your loss. It is hard.

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R.S.

answers from Honolulu on

I'm so sorry you are going through this. Although I have no idea what the levels mean, it is worth waiting or getting a second opinion just to feel at peace with this.
We had a miscarriage at a 7 weeks and my husband did not want to believe the ultrasound. He was in a little bit of shock. I had already had a bad feeling even though there was no bleeding or anything. Anyway, my point is that its possible that they were wrong, but its also possible that you just don't want to believe it. Take care of yourself and I wish you the best of luck, hugs.

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B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

So sorry you're going through this.
We waited till 3 months before starting to tell family/people that we were expecting.
We did IVF so we knew to the day when we conceived.
Did you have a fertility procedure?
Because if you didn't then the timing can't be %100 sure and if I thought the timing might be off, then I'd be inclined to wait before deciding on a D&C.
If HCG levels can range between 1080 to 56500 at 6 weeks, I'm not seeing your number is out of that range (found this here):

http://www.justmommies.com/articles/hcg-levels.shtml

In your place I'd wait several more weeks and get a second opinion afterward.

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J.S.

answers from Hartford on

I'm curious how far along you thought you really were. If you thought you were a few weeks further along and measured "only" six weeks then that might help you make your decision. If you actually believe you're only six weeks along then I'm curious why you already went to the OB for an ultrasound and blood level checks... it seems so early especially since you went way back in February.

Part of the issue could be that you're too hyper-aware of your levels and you went too early to the OB. Most OB's worth their salt will not even agree to do the first ultrasound until you can estimate your pregnancy to be between 8 and 10 weeks along so that they can be sure to see a heartbeat in an ultrasound. They try to avoid situations such as you're currently in.

I'm sorry your young son is so sad. I never told my children I was pregnant with a sibling until I was showing and other people were commenting on my belly size.

Anyway. My suggestion is to wait two weeks. No more blood tests for a while. Continue to eat healthfully and take your prenatal vitamins. Then go back to the OB for a new U/S to see if they can find the heartbeat at that time. Because I really think that a U/S right now even by another OB wouldn't be helpful. You would need an invasive CVS or something, and then you risk an actual pregnancy loss in the event that this pregnancy is still viable.

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C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

A.,

I'm really sorry. It's hard to lose a baby. If your instincts are telling you to wait a few weeks, then do it. If not? You can get a second opinion.

At six weeks, you should not need a D&C. IF you are miscarrying, your body should do it naturally.

I'm really sorry. It's hard to lose a baby at any stage. As someone who has lost 3 babies at various stages, I understand your desire to stay positive. Follow your instincts. Get a second opinion.

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I.X.

answers from Los Angeles on

Are they calling it a blighted ovum? Your body acts pregnant but no baby in the sac? They had me wait until week 8 to retest because they could not find a baby at all. I insisted on waiting until week 9 before we proceeded to medically intervene. But there was no baby in the end, only a sac and a hormonal pregnancy. If you want to wait and test in a week or two, you should. The odds are very very slim, especially if they are seeing the baby as only a tiny dot. Dr.s see so many miscarriages, they think they are helping to get this one over so you can start as soon as possible to conceive again. Not sure why they are pushing the D & C. There is a medication that will help you pass it on your own. I have had all my miscarriages without D &C. I personally think it helps in the grieving process because the bleeding and cramping are cathartic. If you want to private message me about this, feel free. I know the logistics of miscarrying not what you want to deal with as you are still holding onto hope. There are lots of factors here: is it difficult for you to conceive, are you advanced maternal age….all these variable can make a miscarriage devastating. But I will give you some hope. I've been through it. I'm miscarried at 6 weeks, 9 weeks and 12 weeks. I also have three beautiful healthy children 6, 3, and 7mo. Its a disappointment, and a set back, but try not to be devastated. I don't look back and grieve at these losses. I consider them time lost, but not people lost. Perhaps God made that exact littler person over again. A do over. Everything will work out. I'm so sorry you are in this sad place right now. Have your husband take a day off work to spend with you. I know that the family time and some rest did my soul the most good during this time.

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H.A.

answers from Spokane on

Whoa. That seems a bit quick to judge.

I'm no expert, but I can share my experience and maybe that will provide a bit of comfort.

When we found out we were pregnant with our first and only (which wasn't planned) I went in for a ultrasound and a vaginal ultrasound to see how far along I was (remember it wasn't planned) and the tech said she thought I was around 6 weeks. Based on the size of the sack, there was no dot. They did the same blood tests (I don't remember the levels) and told me to come back in a week because there wasn't a heartbeat.

Of course this freaked me out was I or wasn't I pregnant?

That week last about a year :( so I understand what you're going through.

When I went back in they confirmed a heartbeat and 7 week measurement. And I now have a healthy three and half year old heathen. :)

It might be a good idea to get a second opinion from a totally different doctor or give it a week and have another vaginal ultrasound (those give the best results for early pregnancy) from the same doctor. But, to be honest, a Dr that told me to have a D and C that quick, I might not go back to them. Something about that feels off, like they are too quick to make decisions, especially for this early stage in pregnancy.

My fingers are crossed for you.

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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Just talk to your Doc, ask for another 2nd look. If that will make you feel, any better about it.
Was this your first, sonogram?
With my Doc, he does the sonogram at 5 weeks and as a confirmation of things. And at that time, 5 weeks, per my 2 other pregnancies, I saw the heartbeat already.

I had a miscarriage once, at about 6-7 weeks. But baby was measuring 5 weeks.
But at that time, per the vaginal sonogram, there was no heartbeat when there previously was one (which I saw myself previously), and the sac was empty. There was no "dot" in it. It was empty. I saw it. Myself. Via the monitor screen of the vaginal sonogram and my Doc explained to me, what he was looking at and seeing as a Doctor. And my Doctor was very thorough. He even consulted with another Doc in his practice. And they looked all over, with the vaginal sonogram tool. But at that time, I was also, having bloody discharge/symptoms of miscarrying. And then, I had a D&C.

I am sorry for your situation and wish you the best.

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S.A.

answers from Chicago on

You could choose to wait a week or two, then go back for a repeat ultrasound. I've read about many people who were told there was no heartbeat at 6 weeks, then waited and the heartbeat was there the next time.

How far along should you be? With my 4th pregnancy (a miscarriage) I went in for my 8 week appt, and was told I was only measuring at 6 weeks. They could see the sac, a small fetal pole, and a flash of a heartbeat, but it was hard to see. I was given a 50/50 chance for viability and told to come back a week later for a repeat u/s. . Sadly, mine did not have a good outcome.

If you have any doubt you can wait. Best wishes!

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E.B.

answers from Beaumont on

Just wanted to let you know how sorry I am. My heart hurts for you and your family.

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C.T.

answers from Santa Fe on

I am so sorry for your loss. I miscarried twice at 6 weeks, and I did not need to go to the doctor to have anything done. I am just saying this because perhaps you would rather not be messed with right now. Again, I am very sorry.

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A.M.

answers from Washington DC on

This can be the case. But sometimes the dates are off and you're really at only 5 weeks. You don't necessarily need to rush to schedule a D & C. Wait to see what your body will do.

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M.N.

answers from Bloomington on

I am so sad for you and your family.

I went to the Dr at about 5 weeks (maybe 4) it was exceptionally early but my preg test showed positive and my previous preg had been a tubal so I was considered high risk.

Anyway, the ultrasound showed a poorly formed sac and no heartbeat or anything else. Dr. Told me I was most likely either getting ready to miscarry or that I would miscarry relatively soon but he wanted me to do the blood work anyway. I had three blood tests done. One a day every other day. I now have a very healthy beautiful 12 year old.

I have no idea what your hgc level means but I think I would want a second opinion. Give it a week or so just to make sure that it isn't just earlier in the pregnancy than what everyone thinks.

I pray this has a positive outcome for you and my heartbreaks at the thought that it might not.

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D..

answers from Miami on

I'm so sorry. Take your time about getting pregnant again, making sure that your body is recovered. (And your spirit.) Make sure you are taking pregnancy vitamins before you conceive. As healthy as you can be will help you. And if I were you, I'd go to a specialist and have tests done to make sure that there isn't something wonky with your hormone levels that caused the miscarriage. That way you have a much better chance of carrying your next pregnancy to term.

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S.R.

answers from Washington DC on

Sorry about all of this...I had many miscarriages and one was very much like this where I had very high HcG levels....they usually want to do a D and C because when HcG levels are high, there is a chance it could be a Molar Pregnancy (which I guess can turn malignant?) Anyway...is there any way they could do an ultrasound before the D and C? I was just reading an article about how there is a high rate of error on reading ultrasounds. Ask your doctor if there is any way you could get one before the actual procedure...most hospitals have the mobile ultrasounds and they can wheel them in and do it in a matter of minutes.

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A.L.

answers from Seattle on

Personally I would not opt for a D&C at this point. I would suggest that it is entirely possible that your pregnancy is just at an earlier point that what you have thought.
Unless you have heavy bleeding or running a fever/infection, there is really no reason for a D&C so soon.
I would wait for two weeks and ask for a new ultrasound. At that point your doctor should be able to assess whether you are really miscarrying or if you are just earlier and previously thought.
Good luck.

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