Early Pregnancy Bleeding & No Heartbeat: What to Expect

Question
This is my first pregnancy, the first day of my lsat period was Ocotber 2nd, so today 11/23/04 i'm 7 weeks. I started some light spotting two days ago and today i'm bleeding (red and brown) a little lighter then my period but no cramping., I went to the dr yesterday, they told me my cervix is closed, they did an ultrasound, and the fetus is visible, the dr stated it measured at 6 1/2 weeks but no heartbeat is detected. My dr is sedning me for blood test to check my levels, she did state that it may be too soon for a heartbeat. Is this true? What are my chances of miscarrying? Im really worried.  

Answer
The earliest that we "see" a heartbeat on sonogram is at around 6-7 weeks from your last period. If there was no heartbeat at 7 weeks, then there may be a problem and it can be a missed abortion (miscarriage). However, it can also be too early to tell or you may be slightly incorrect in the date of your last period. See what the Beta HCG tests show (you should have two done, 48 hours apart. If there is a doubling of the results in 48 hours, it indicates a viable pregnancy. If there is a halving of the results in 48 hours, it may indicate a miscarriage). Also, repeat the sonogram in one week. If there is no further growth of the fetus and there still is no heartbeat, I fear for the worse. Good Luck.