QuestionMy LMP was 11/10. I had a positive HPT on 12/11 and 12/13 and went in for an early ultrasound on 12/15 because I had a bit of pain in my lower left abdomin on 12/11. It has since gone away. I previously had a miscarriage in September. I should be about five weeks along.
The doctor did an ultrasound and could not see a gestational sac in my uterus (she said that is not uncommon at this stage)but did see thickening of the uterine lining. She also saw a corpus luteum cyst on my left ovary which she said is normal and may have caused the pain on Sunday. However, she did see a small amount of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. She ordered some lab work to test my HCG and progesterone levels.
I am worried about an ectopic pregnancy because of the fluid and the earlier pain. My question is, is it ever normal to have fluid in the peritoneal cavity?
Thank you for your help. I am very nervous.
AnswerIt is very common to have some fluid in the peritoneal cavity (in the cul-de-sac) due to some leaking of the corpus luteum cyst. On December 13, you were only 4 weeks 5 days pregnant, and a sonogram will not show much of anything. Between 5-6 weeks, you may see an empty gestational sac in the uterus. After 6 weeks, you should see a fetal pole, a gestational sac, and a fetal heartbeat. As long as you are not haviing bleeding and significant abdominal pains, I doubt that you have an ectopic. Repeat the sonogram after 6 weeks from the first day of your last period.
