Early Pregnancy Concerns: Difficulty Detecting Fetal Heartbeat - What to Do?

Question
I found out i was pregnant on 9/06/06 my doctor did my first sono and told me every thing was fine but i was way too early in my pregnancy. and ask me to return in 2 weeks in which he did another sono and told me i was 6 weeks and i actually seen the little heart moving he then made me another appointment for two weeks later which is today when the nurse told i was 10 weeks. she used the doppler to find the heart beat, she couldnt, she then sent me to the sono room and she told me she couldnt hear the heart beat neither and informed me that i was going to miscarry soon. they want me to go to the hospital for a d&c.could i still be too early to hear a heart beat or should i do as the doctor say and have the d&c done  

Answer
Hi Lenita :)

Most proffesionals, will tell you after the testing you have gone through, that its probably best for you to follow the advise of your doctor, and nurse and follow through with a DNC.

However, due to a personal experience I had, I really cant tell you to go through with this, right away without a second opinion.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, they couldnt find her at all. My blood work indicated I was pregnant. HCG was normal and so was my progesterone. However, during the doppler, and the sonograms, there was no heartbeat, and they couldnt even find her at all in my uterus.

They confirmed, that my uterus was pregnant. But they felt that my body discharged the pregnancy, and at any given day I was going to start the bleeding and cramping that is associated with miscarriage.

Call it gut instinct. I just felt differently. I went to see another doctor. It took 2 weeks of testing, but finally on a vaginal ultrasound, they located her. The heart was beating, and she was just fine.

2 people I know, had simular experiences as well. Both were advised to have a DNC. Both waited, at my request to have their pregnancies re-assessed.

Both these people, had healthy pregnancies, with healthy babies.

A second opinion wouldnt hurt. If you are unsure, and just need to have a second confirmation on your condition then absolutely do it. If you get the same diagnoses, then perhaps its time to book the DNC.

Remember, nothing is full proof. Sonograms, and dopplers are not conclusive all the time, and are open to error. Second opinions are also good for closure, and reassurance. But really, it comes down to personal opinion, on your part.

Hope this answers your qeustion, and thanks for writing :)

-Kristy