No Heartbeat Yet....?

Updated on October 12, 2009
T.S. asks from Kendall Park, NJ
33 answers

I was wondering if anyone else experienced this and ended up with a positive outcome. I need some positive thoughts! I am about 4 weeks pregnant. According to the Dr. I am 5 weeks, but I don't think that is possible based on my dates. Last night was my first internal ultrascan and there wasn't a heartbeat. The Dr. said that it is sometimes normal and to come back next week and she'll check again. To me, that's not a good sign. But I've been taking my basal temp and it's still remaining high. A little history, I had a miscarriage last year and soon after my D&C I got pregnant right away and now have a healthy 10 month old. When taking my basal temp back when I had my miscarriage I remember the temp going down the week I miscarried... (not sure to base anything on that though).

Has anyone been pregnant and had no heartbeat in the very beginning, but ended up having a healthly pregnancy?? I have no spotting and no pain...

Thanks so much! Next week can't come fast enough.

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So What Happened?

There's a heartbeat!!!! I went last night and the Dr. said the sac is now bigger then last week and there is a teeny tiny heartbeat. The Dr. wants me back again next week just to be sure all is ok. If I didn't read all the positive responses, I would have been freaking out all week waiting. It definitely helped ease my mind. Thank you!!!

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R.K.

answers from New York on

I did not hear or see a heartbeat for my twins until 7 weeks. I think 4 weeks is a bit soon. Try not to worry- I know this is easier said than done. Congratulations and best of luck :)

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J.C.

answers from New York on

My friend just went through that. Now she is headed into her 2nd trimester! Don't worry...it happens.

Congrats in advance! :) Happy prenancy!

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J.P.

answers from New York on

Week 4 or 5 is way too early to see a heartbeat. Usually you don't get one until the start of week 6.

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B.C.

answers from New York on

With my second my OB would not even check when I went in for my first visit and he estimated I was 5 weeks. He said it was too early and wanted to wait until 8 weeks to do the ultrasound.

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L.Z.

answers from New York on

Yes, my doctor found it hard to find the heartbeat and then I had another test and everything was fine. My doctor assured me there are lots of reasons why they can't find the heartbeat sometimes early on. I'm sure it will be okay - will say a prayer for you.

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M.R.

answers from New York on

If your doctor is just going by LMP and you are going by date of ovulation, your estimate is probably more on target. I'd wait until next week and see, since it seems like the doctor is going by what's normal for a stage you're not quite at.

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J.P.

answers from Syracuse on

I had no heartbeat until 8 weeks on ultrasound with my 4th baby. The doctor couldn't find an external Doppler heart beat until 16 weeks. I wouldn't worry about it until your doctor worries about it. I never took my temperature so I can't tell you if that is a good indicator as to everything being okay. Good luck and try to relax!!

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B.C.

answers from New York on

Please don't get yourself all worked up (I know easy to say harder to do). Often times, you can't detect a heartbeat until 6 ot 7 weeks, even with a very good doppler. So don't worry, give it a week or two and stay positive. I really think you're worrying too early. Best of luck.

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A.H.

answers from New York on

HI T.. My experience doesn't mirror yours exactly but I can tell you what happened to me. I felt nauseous the very first day that I missed my period, so when I was 4 weeks pregnant. I was surprised that I felt so sick so soon. Then, two weeks later, my nausea went away completely, which really freaked me out, of course. I thought for sure that since the nausea went away, I had lost the baby. I went to my doctor and told her of my fear and she got me an ultrasound appointment for later that day. She told me that a fetus' heartbeat would register on an ultrasound by week 6 (not week 5) and thus, if my baby had a heartbeat, it would confirm the pregnancy was viable. It turned out that my 6 week old fetus did have a heartbeat and my nausea returned in week 8, worse than ever and never stopped until week 20. I now have a 2 year daughter. I just wanted to share that my doctor said that the fetus wouldn't show a heartbeat on an ultrasound until it was 6 weeks along. Good luck to you, A.

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A.D.

answers from New York on

Hi T., I am sure you are concerned. I come from a time when we had no ultrasounds, just the doctor's stethascope. Try to relax and trust in the Lord above. All of us are in His hands. I also read your second post. I had my children very close and I do not believe carrying a child around can cause a miscarriage. When I caried my third the first was only 2 and still had to be picked up. I will pray that next week will come quickly. Grandma Mary

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D.R.

answers from New York on

i first heard the heartbeat with all 3 of mine at around 6 or 7 weeks. best of luck!

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K.H.

answers from Utica on

Hi T.
I am so sorry that the pregnancy is not going according to the average. It is so much easier when it does.
My story: I didn't know I was pregnant but not feeling well, and couldn't get into the GP, I called the OB. Of course they have to do pg test which I thought was useless because of my age, 39, and because our youngest child was 13yo. I was spotting so of course thought I was having my cycle. I was about 6 weeks along. Not only could they not find a heart beat, they told me there was no baby. But to come back and they would set me up on the big monitor, and screen etc, I went back at 8 weeks because of the Thanksgiving holiday. That was 20 years ago this fall. I went back, having bleeding the entire time and prepared to be told I needed a D&C. The tech was working my belly over, and it began to cramp. I finally told her what had happened and that I knew there was a real possibility of having a D&C, and I wanted her to stop "massaging that belly". She swung that screen around and said pointing. Baby A - Baby B Have you ever been told you had fibroid? I had and she said good that is what this is.
Yes today I have twin girls that are 19 years old.
God had spared me the loss of our twins for some reason. Next week couldn't come fast enough a few more times through that pregnancy--- but our twins were born at 37 weeks and weighed in at 6#8oz, and 5#11oz and came home with me from the hospital.
I pray this day that you have a successful pregnancy and that this note brings you the hope you can hang onto throughout the week ahead.
God bless you with peace and joy and the knowledge that He is there beside you
K.

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S.V.

answers from Rochester on

Typically you can't see the heartbeat until atleast 6 weeks. My youngest daughter i went in at 6 weeks and she was measuring behind at 5 weeks and no heart beat. I freaked out the doctor told me to prepare for a miscarriage but that we would do my blood tests to check my hormone levels. After the first test they said they were where they should be but to go again, that test doubled. At that point the doctor said my levels where high enough to see a heart beat if there was one so come in for an ultra sound. When I went in there was a little heart beat. She just liked to take her dear sweet time in growing. She was 2 weeks over due when i was induced and only was 8 ibs 2 oz. So feel confident that you still have a strong chance of a healthy pregnancy!

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P.M.

answers from New York on

A heart beat is not developed until the 6th week. You are 4 or 5 weeks, so you would not see it at this stage yet. Stay positive.

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W.M.

answers from New York on

You generally don't get the hearbeat until the end of the 5th week beginning of the 6th. I went at the 5th week (day 1) & there was nothing. At the very beginning of the 7th my baby has a 150 BPM heartbeat (very very good) don't let it stress you. I bet next week you will hear the baby's heart. In my case they thought I was 6 weeks - but I have a 32 day cycle which put me at 5. If you have a longer cycle that is why they are messing up your dates.

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C.O.

answers from New York on

Heart doesn't even start beating until week 5. I am surprised your Dr even saw you and did an ultrasound at 4 weeks. My OB wouldn't even schedule an appt until 7-8 weeks because there is nothing to see and it just induces stress in mommy. You are still pregnant and baby is fine.

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E.D.

answers from New York on

I have a healthy baby girl and did not see the heartbeat until 6-7 weeks. I was sure of my dates as well, but she was measuring earlier than my calculations. Stop stressing and good luck.

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A.H.

answers from New York on

my heartbeat wasn't heard until almost 6 weeks... so good luck

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K.P.

answers from New York on

Throughout my entire pregnancy the doctors and nurses had a hard time finding my son's heartbeat. In my case, the location of the placenta made it very difficult to hear/see. Four weeks is very early for a scan that would be sensitive enough to pick-up the heart rate.

My son is happy and healthy and aside from holding my breath each month while they probed for the heartbeat, my pregnancy was uneventful.

Best wishes and health.

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J.F.

answers from Buffalo on

I didn't read all your responses and see you already posted a "what happened"...

but wanted to give some encouragement - i had an ultrasound at 5 weeks and they didn't see heartbeats (on either baby - i'm 16 weeks along now with twins!) and just after i hit 6 weeks we saw 2 beautiful fluttering hearts on ultrasound.

Even 6 weeks can be too early for some - i can completely understand why its scary for you, but try to stay calm about it, you don't need the extra worrying! :) My doctors didn't even flinch when we saw no heartbeat at 5 weeks, they were just looking for the gestational sac(s).

So far my pregnancy has been great (only one scary instance of heavy bleeding that turned out okay) and they're growing perfect and healthy!

Good luck on a healthy, happy 9 months!! :)

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A.H.

answers from New York on

5 weeks is definitely early. I wouldn't worry until you're 8 weeks with no heartbeat.

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T.W.

answers from New York on

My first preg I found out when I was 5 weeks (home tests) with a lot of cramping, but the MD couldn't even find the sac with an internal and thought I would miscarry within days- five days later when no bleeding occurred, a blood test showed I was indeed preg. and an internal confirmed. But my OB doesn't even check for heartbeat until week 7!!!

I know since you have already experienced a miscarriage you will be on high alert with this pregnancy, but try to relax and not over analyze, the stress will drive you crazy!!! Just remember each pregnancy is different and there are so many crazy symptoms you can have. Try to enjoy your 10 month old, relax whenever possible and take the best care of yourself you can! Chances are everything will turn out perfectly!

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A.L.

answers from New York on

With my son they didn't see a heartbeat until the 7th week...I was very nervous, just as you are now. He was born weighing 10 pounds 13 ounces and was 22 1/2 inches long! He just turned 4 in August. I'd say that is a pretty positive outcome! Good luck, and try not to worry (I know, easier said than done!).

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V.D.

answers from New York on

The heartbeat usually doesn't show until 9 weeks! Hold out until then and take a big breath!

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L.L.

answers from New York on

that happened to me once but I had a sad outcome, the following week there was still no heartbeat so I had a D&C. But I do think it's a little early to expect to see a heartbeat! My dr. wouldn't even see me until I was 8-9 weeks pregnant this time around...and I've had 2 healthy pregnancies since.
Good luck!
Lynsey

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J.D.

answers from New York on

at 5 weeks, i had no heartbeat, and there was no baby, just a big circle. the next week, there was a baby in there. with a heart beat. i am now 27 weeks. good luck!

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K.L.

answers from New York on

At what was about 5 1/2 weeks (at the time the age of my pregnancy was unclear and no one knew if it was 5 1/2 weeks or 9 weeks), I had a sonogram that showed I conceived twins, but one sac appeared empty and one had fetal material, but no heartbeat. For a week I didn't know if I had any babies and I certainly thought I had a vanishing twin situation with the empty sac. One week and one day later I had another sonogram and it showed two heartbeats! I had a healthy pregnancy and today I have a beautiful 18 month old boy and a girl. Sonogram technology is great, but in my opinion, not so good at detecting heartbeats before 6-7 weeks. I think people should skip sonograms earlier than that point and save themselves the grief.

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J.L.

answers from New York on

Hi, T.. Same thing happened to me. The doctor couldn't hear a heartbeat around the four/five week mark, but when I returned a week later, there was a super strong heartbeat! Now I have a healthy, active 22 month old. :) Hang in there. Sometimes four/five weeks is a little early to hear much. I think your high basel temp is a very good sign. Hope this helps.

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J.A.

answers from Rochester on

sometimes it's just too soon to hear or see anything. I believe that I had my first scan between 3 and 5 weeks and they couldn't see or hear anything. I completely freaked! I was trying for over a year to conceive and had two pos at home tests so I knew that I was def preg. The Dr said the same thing that it was just too early. ( I was having spotting so that's why I had a scan so early, plus my cycles weren't normal so I didn't have an accurate first day of last period) I went back in 2 weeks and everything was fine. We could both see and here the baby

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M.A.

answers from New York on

Hi T.:

Yes this did happen to me and I was told it was probably too early in the pregnancy and had to come back in one week. That was the LONGEST week ever and the heartbeat was there the next week. I now have a healthy 5 1/2 month old baby boy named Mason who is already eating solids. gb

M.

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D.

answers from New York on

I was told by my doc that you really can't see a heartbeat before 6 wks. I know your worried, but the baby isn't even the size of a grain of rice yet. Give it a couple weeks.

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R.E.

answers from New York on

usu around 5 weeks. if you think the dr miscalculated the date...wait a week or 2 and then get it checked again

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H.L.

answers from New York on

I usually didn't even test positive for pregnancy until the 8th week or so not even a blood test showed up positive! The doctors were convinced I wasn't pregnant at all and wanted to give me a shot to bring my period back I refused and at 10 weeks I came back and there was my beautiful baby boy with a clear heart beat so I would definatly wait until the 10 weeks before I worry the heart beat doesn't happen until then anyway cause everything isn't formed yet a lot of women don't know this because usually a doctor doesn't schedule and ultrasound until
the tenth week or so.
Good luck and God bless. P.s. The thermometer is accurate.
From H.

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