Understanding a Miscarriage: Early Pregnancy Concerns & Fetal Development

Question
My friend is 10 1/2 weeks along with first child on April 6, 2004. Due date is Oct. 30. April 7 she went in to hear heartbeat. They couldn't hear it so they did internal exam. Dr. said the fetus was actually 6 wks. and they still couldn't hear heartbeat.  The placenta was still attached according to ultrasound. Dr. said to wait a week and would try to hear again. What chance is there that this baby is alive and only 6 wks. along?

Answer
What was the date of the first day of your friend's last period? It is possible that her dates are incorrect or that she became pregnant later than she thought. In any case, if the sonogram showed a 5-6 week uterus, a fetal heartbeat would not be heard yet. All that would be seen would be an empty gestational sac. At 6-7 weeks is the earliest that a fetal heartbeat is seen on sonogram, along with a fetus and a gestational sac. We do not hear a fetal heartbeat (using a dopler stethoscope in the office) until, at least 9-10 weeks gestation. The placenta is not formed until around 9-11 weeks. With the possibility that this is a normal pregnancy but merely early, I would definitely wait and repeat the sonogram in a week. If it still shows the same size fetus in one week, then you will know that it is a "missed abortion". I