QuestionYou are right. No period after m/c. I knew I m/c b/c on 10/27-28 I bled (lightly, but every few hours or when I used the restroom)and the dr. said it's probably first trimester bleeding b/c by 10/28 afternoon I had stopped. I took a HPT (to confirm things for myself)that weekend and it was neg.(so I def. m/c). I and the dr. was surprised as my bleeding was light, no pain, no cramps, etc. You are correct on the timeline. That Mon, 10/31, I requested blood work (to make sure the process was complete since it seemed so quick and mild...though I was very early) m/c confirmed and my levels were down to a nonpergnant person (which is why my dr. gave me the go ahead to start trying, b/c in his opinion, theorectically, I had a period which expelled everything). Yes, a vaginal ultrasound was performed on 12/8 and yesterday. 12/8, when by my calculations, I would be 6 wks and yesterday I would be eight wks. On 12/8 he saw a sac and was unclear weather he saw a fetal pole or not (so not fhb). Yesterday, baby measured 3 mm and heart beat was detected, but low, 73. SO...progress WAS made within the last two weeks, but it still doesn't add up since my test was positive on 11/22. I guess the progress in growth coupled with the timeframe that clearly indicates same timeline you put forth, only adds to my confusion...and my husband and I were planning to tell our parents on x-mas, but with a low fhb and this timeline, now we think it wouldn't be in anyone's best interest)
Sidenote: I feel fine, no bleeding, cramps, etc. besides my spinning little mind ;)
If I didn't have the pos. HPT no 11/22, I could be easily persuaded to beleive that I am just not as far along as I had thought and that everything wsa ok, but since I DID take the test...I just don't understand. Will a fetus continue to grow slowly until it ultimately demises? Or do they just usually suddenly stop growing at a stage? I also thought you'd be on the right timeframe and then it just would stop developing. (at least this was always the case with my sister's m/c's...who now has two beautiful children ;))
I appreciate your promptness and this service. I hope you understand what this service really means to those of us typing on the other side. Thanks again, from myself and all of us that bring questions to you.
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Followup To
Question -
Dr. Rappaport,
I have asked a question prior with a response, thank you. Recap: I had a m/c on 10/27 (at 5 1/2 wks, 1st preg) and then I took a pregnancy test on Nov. 22, 2005, and it indicated that I was pregnant again. (first day of missed 27 day cycle, I am 25-27 days) I went to the dr. on 12/8 b/c the dr. wanted to reassure me by detecting a fhb. There was none and so he asked that I come back in 2 weeks which was yesterday. They did an internal and she said I was 5 1/2 weeks, then a few seconds later she said 6 weeks. The heart beat was a shocking 73 bpm. (shocking b/c by my calculations, I was 8 wks and I know that the bpm should be double this.) I explained my concern about me not being 6 weeks and that it seems to me it has slowed develpment b/c how could I take a + hpt on 11/22 (wouldn't I conceive around that time to be 6 wks?) They didn't answer me and instead said that it was a good sign b/c it's bigger than 2 wks ago and had a heartbeat. It seems to me that I am being realistic and they are having me hold on for some reason. I am suppose to go next wed. for my 8 1/2 week appointment. Doesn't it seem that the time doesn't add up? I just don't want false hopes and I feel like that is what I am getting. I am preparing for a loss (while still keeping fingers crossed). thanks again.
Answer -
If you had a miscarriage on October 27, when did you get your next period? The earliest time you could have ovulated after a miscarriage would be two weeks later (November 9) and, if you did have sex two weeks after the miscarriage, the earliest a pegnancy test would show a positive result would be 14-21 days later (November 23). On December 8 you should have been 6 weeks pregnant (if you conceived on November 9). HOwever, if you were only 5-6 weeks (by size) yesterday, you probably conceived around November 18-21.
We only start to hear a fetal heartbeat around 6 weeks gestational age and it can be low. You did not mention if they did a sonogram or not. A sonogram at 5-6 weeks will usually not show a fetus but only an empty gestational sac. After 6 weeks we start to see a fetus and a fetal heartbeat. If another sonogram in two weeks shows adequate growth of the fetus, it is a good sign.I am not exactly sure of when you became pregnant. Understand that after a miscarriage, a pregnancy test remains positive for up to a month. Did you have a D&C with the miscarriage? Are you sure it was a miscarriage? You are correct by saying that your dates do not add up. That is why we recommend waiting until you get a normal period after a miscarriage to start trying to conceive. Its only in order to date the future pregnancy. Don't lose hope. See what the next sonogram shows.
AnswerIts a little difficult to explain the timeline. However, keep the faith and see what the next sonogram shows. A fetus does not continue to grow until there is a demise. It usually will stop growing and suddenly there is no longer any FH. If a sonogram showed a 5 week fetus, it is probably correct and we should not see an FH at that time. After 6 weeks, an FH was seen and the fetus had grown. Give it another two weeks and see. Good Luck.
