Missed Period, No Uterus/Heartbeat: Possible Pregnancy Concerns?

Question
Dear Lawrence J.R. M.D.

I am overweight and should be towards my second trimester. I havent had a period since late January, but maybe at the latest, late Febuary. During the 1st month of pregnancy, I did have a high fever. Over 102 on and off for 3 or 4 days. From then until now, I have had headaches that progressed to migraines that would last 2 days at a time. I have rarely had headaches until I became pregnant. Anything that I used to use such as: aspirin, over the counter medicine, etc etc. I have stopped using after consulting my doctor and she told me the potential risks. Also, this isnt my first pregnancy. My first pregnancy ended in miscarriage. At this time I didnt even know i was pregnant. My period was just heavier and longer than usual. 2nd one, I had an abortion. This pregnancy, I plan to carry to term.

I do have a family history of diabetes and high risk pregnancies. All the babies came out big (around 10 lbs) My mother also had a premature child during her first pregnancy.

When she was feeling around for a uterus, she said it should feel like an orange. She could not find it for some odd reason. She was pressing down pretty hard after that for a min to search around where it became a little painful, but still could not find it.

So then, she got the doppler out. She was searching around for the heartbeat and could not find that. She referred me to a specialist since she was just a residency to find out whats going on. Its odd because she used to an OB/GYN and now she is practicing just GYN. So i would suspect she does know what she is doing.

She said maybe im not that far along, but thats impossible. I have missed 3 or 4 periods. Im worried and wont be able to see this specialist for another 2 weeks. whats going on?

Answer
Sometimes, if you are overweight, it is difficult to palpate the uterus. If your last period started in January or February, you are, at most, 4 months pregnant. If you are unsure of the date of your last period, or if there was difficulty in palpating the uterus or getting a fetal heartbeat with a doppler, the next step should be to get a sonogram. That will show a fetus, a heartbeat, and it will also pinpoint the exact date of conception and confirm your due date. Don't worry. Once the sonogram shows how far pregnant you are and confirms a good fetal heartbeat, you will be able to be tested for gestational diabetes at 28 weeks gestation. Good Luck.