Ultrasound Not Showing Pregnancy? Understanding Potential Reasons & What to Do

Question
Dear Brenda,
On June 9th I had a pregnancy test done. It came back positve. This past friday I had pains in my abdomen with no bleeding or cramping. The ER did an emergency ultrasound and could not see the pregancy. The pains I felt were no where near my uterus and were nore of a nusiance pain than anything. I am worried as to why nothing showed up. People have been telling me that maybe I am too early for the baby to be seen yet...is this a common situation?...Pls help if you can...Thank you, Deb

Answer
Dear Debra,

In order to determine whether you would have been too early in the pregnancy for it to be noted on ultrasound, I would need to know your LMP date. As a general rule though, the gestational sac can typically be visualized as early as 4.5 weeks of gestation (4.5 weeks after LMP date) and the yolk sac at about 5 weeks. The embryo can usually be observed and measured by about 5.5 weeks. A visible heartbeat can often be seen and detected by ultrasound at about 6 weeks and is usually clearly detectable by 7 weeks.

For the most part, I would not get too worried until your first doctor visit or unless you begin experiencing abdominal cramping with vaginal bleeding.

I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda