When to Share Your Pregnancy News After Loss - A Guide

Question
I am currently about 5 1/2 weeks pregnant and i've had 2 previous miscarriages within the last 7 months.  this pregnancy i've been dealing with a reproductive endocrinologist and i've been getting blood tests every 3 days to check hcg levels (which have been very good and on the high side) so now at about 6 weeks i have an appointment for an ultrasound to look at the heartbeat.  What i'm wondering is after we see a heartbeat at that point is it safe to tell frineds and family that's i'm pregnant (we've told very close people but not all like relatives that live far away) or is it still recommended to wait until the second trimester?  i know the miscarriage rate drops dramatically after seeing a heartbeat and i know it drops in the second trimester but does it drop even more from the time the heartbeat is seen or is it about the same percentage rate?  thank you for your time.

Answer
Dear Kristin,

The miscarriage of a pregnancy can take place either before, or after, the pregnancy was shown evidence of a fetal heart rate (usually by ultrasound). The presence of fetal heart activity within a normally expected rate range for the gestational age, with appropriate growth for gestational age, and hCG/progesterone levels rising appropriately would definitely make me feel confident about the health of the pregnancy. I cannot find any actual statistics on miscarriage rates before 6 weeks vs. 6-12 weeks. I will tell you that I hear from alot of women who have had the 6 week ultrasound and everything is fine, but then go for the 10 week check and the pregnancy has been lost - even after a heartbeat is seen. Usually ultrasound measures a 6-7 week fetus, so the crucial period seems to be before that 10 week visit.

As to whether to share your news... that's completely up to you. Most understand that miscarriages happen in nearly 1 out of 5 pregnancies, so if there is someone you are itching to tell... I guess I would not be afraid to tell them after the 6 week visit. The rest is fate, but I will be having HUGE good thoughts for you.  :-)

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

Brenda