QuestionHello. I have had 2 sonograms so far, one at 7 weeks. Sac measured 7 weeks, saw yolk, no fetal pole. 2nd sonogram 11 days after 1st...sac measured 7 weeks 5 days, irregular shape to yolk, no fetal pole...should have been 8 weeks. The doctor is suggesting I will miscarry. I have chosen to let things happen naturally. How long should I wait? What if nothing happens, when should I return to doctor? Any chance of still being pregnant?
AnswerHi Dana
I'm so sorry to hear of your news. When something is still growing, there's always hope that maybe the doctors have got it wrong. Indeed, it has been known that a diagnosed miscarriage has gone on to become a full term pregnancy.
However, from what you have told me I'm afraid this may not be the case here.
You should at least be able to see a fetal pole at this stage. An abscense of this along with the 'slow growth' of everything else indicates a failed pregnancy. Even though the embryo hasn't developed into a foetus, hormones produced by the yolk sac still carry on to develop everything else until it recognises that there is no foetus to nourish. Once this happens, the POC (products of conception...an awful phrase so I'll abbreviate it!) then starts to break down & you will bleed. Sometimes your body doesn't recognise that, even though the POC has stopped growing, it doesn't act to expel anything. This is called a 'missed miscarriage'.
The sac has begun to mis-shape & is measuring small.....this tells us that the POC are now starting to break down. You may not start to bleed for another week or 2 which is normal. If you haven't started to bleed by the 3rd week after diagnosis of the miscarriage, then do return to your doctor. They should do another scan & maybe some blood tests to check your hormone levels to see what's going on.
Depending on the results, you may be offered a D&C. If your body hasn't miscarried naturally then they may advise you take this small surgical procedure up for the sake of your health. You should be advised about all of this at the appointment.
I'm shocked that you've had little advice about aftercare. This is a froghtening time when you are bound to have lots of questions. If it's any sort of consolation, blighted ovums account for over half of miscarriages (especially 1st pregnancies) and many women go on to have healthy babies. It's thought that a chromosomal problem at conception results in the embryo not developing.
I hope this has helped you a little - please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any more questions or you'd like any more information.
Kindest Regards
Sarah
