QuestionHi there, my embryo has a heartbeat but has not grown for a week, although
the gestational sac has continued growing at an appropriate rate. I have been
told I will certainly miscarry - though I have had no symptoms of miscarriage
and my HCG remains at a good level and doubling.
I was concerned about my pregnancy from the start and insisted three
ultrasounds to put my mind at rest - although my doctor was not concerned
about anything and did not think these were needed. My HGC levels were
normal and doubling. The 3 ultrasounds were trans vaginal ultrasounds
conducted at weekly intervals for the 6th, 7th and 8th week of my pregnancy
(according to my own dates). At the first ultrasound I was told the gestational
sac and yolk sac measured 5-6 weeks and no fetal pole or heartbeat was
visible. At the second ultrasound I was told the fetal pole and heartbeat were
visible and they measured 6-7 weeks (together with the gestational sac). The
heartbeat was a flicker and it was not possible to count it at this point. The
fetal pole measured 3.7mm. At the third ultrasound I was told that the
gestational sac had grown and was measuring about 7-8 weeks (27mm mean
sac diameter) but the fetal pole had not grown. The heartbeat was measurable
but slow. I was told there is no hope for this pregnancy, despite the heartbeat
being present, as the fetal pole has not grown for a week. I have searched all
over the internet and cannot find any other accounts of this situation except
for one - in which the woman suffered vanishing twin syndrome and the
second fetal pole did not grow for two weeks, but then caught up. This one
account may be incorrect or a 'miracle' anomaly. Is there any chance for my
pregnancy? The heartbeat is still present. It is slow. The fetal pole measures
3.7 mm and has not grown for one week. I have no spotting or pain. I feel
well. My HCG levels are normal and doubling. I have nausea, sore breasts and
many symptoms of pregnancy which have become stronger in the week since
the last scan. I do not know how professional the third sonographer was as
she did not even show me the screen and turned the machine off before
speaking to me.
AnswerHi Cheyne
Don't be offended by the sonographers behaviour.
Some old school sonograpers do not like the parents to see the screen during a scan in case there are any visible problems which may upset the parents. Scans are purely for medical reasons and even though most will allow you to see the baby, some prefer to keep it private so they can concentrate on their work.
This is not to say there was anything shocking on your scan, it's just how your sonographer works. It is in fact a good sign & shows that they are indeed professional.
Transvaginal scans are better than external scans as they pick up more. If the heartbeat is purely a flutter & not growing then this is a sign that the embryo is failing to thrive. Because the sac is still growing (which it does even after the embryo has stopped) it is producing hormones that will give you your pregnancy symptoms.
Once the embryo stops growing, your body will recognise this & the tissue will start to break down which will cause cramps followed by bleeding.
Sometimes the body doesn't recognise that the pregnancy has failed & will retain everything, this is called a missed miscarriage. I expect you will have heard that some women don't find out they have lost the pregnancy until their 12wk scan....this is why.
I wish I could give you some hope, to be honest though things are not sounding good. It would be wrong to get your hopes up. The embryo should be growing noticeably every week & the heartbeat getting stronger, but this doesn't sound like it is happening.
If it would put your mind at ease then ask for a follow up appointment and/or some blood tests to track your hCG, but it sounds like I can only back up what has already been confirmed.
I am so sorry. It's hard, even when I saw the tiny misshapen sac on my scan I kept telling myself that my dates were just wrong, but I knew deep down they weren't & my baby was gone. It must be worse for you as there is a heartbeat, but it sounds like it's not grown as it should and is just not strong enough.
I hope it answers your question. Please feel free to come back if you need any more help.
Kindest Regards
Sarah
