QuestionI will give you the info first and then ask my questions:
have 2 children never had miscarriage
age: 37
LMP: December 8, 2004
normally 28-day cycle
Only chance of conception: December 30, 2004
not having spotting/cramping
pregnancy symptoms come and go (nausea, bad taste in mouth, excessive salivation)
went for dr appt on Feb 7 (regular first appt - no complications) dr did sonogram did not like what he saw sent me for another sonogram Feb 8
Feb 8 results and blood test results:
Fetal size - just about 5mm
Fetal age: 5 weeks 3 days
HCG level: 36,000
Doctor did not do followup blood work. Scheduled me for a D&C for Friday, February 11. I am going for another sonogram before the D&C. Is it possible a sonogram might miss detecting the heartbeat or it might not appear for another couple days?
AnswerIf your last period started on December 8, then you should now be 9 weeks pregnant. By now, a sonogram should have shown a fetus and a fetal heartbeat. However, if the sonogram only showed a 5 week 3 day fetus, it may be that you became pregnant later than usual. Prior to 6 weeks gestation, a sonogram will only show an empty gestational sac but no fetus or fetal heartbeat. This is a normal finding at 5-6 weeks. I would suggest having another sonogram before you have a D&C. Take the sonogram at least one week after the last sonogram. If there still is no growth of the fetus, then a D&C is indicated.
