No Heartbeat

Updated on February 19, 2007
K.H. asks from Saint Clair Shores, MI
14 answers

When I went to my first doctor's appointment, he sent me for a viability ultrasound because I was not far enough along to hear the baby's heartbeat on the doppler and I have had one miscarriage already. My fiancee and I were using an ovulation calendar and by that and the confirmed pregnancy test we assumed that I was about 7 1/2 weeks at this appointment. The ultrasound tech measured the baby at being just 6 weeks and they said they could not find a visible heartbeat, but it is possible that the baby just wasn't big enough yet. They asked me to come back in for another US in 2 weeks saying not to get my hopes up but not to get them down! Has anyone else been through this because I am freaking out! The due date if this pregnancy is viable is my fiancee's birthday and he was thrilled, but now we are both walking on nails because we don't know if the baby is even alive! I haven't had any signs of miscarriage and I am defintaley feeling all the pregnancy woes like nausea and being overtired. I just wish I knew whether or not I have a healthy baby!

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So What Happened?

I went in for my second ultrasound today. We got the news that we have been dreading... the baby has no heartbeat and never did. It stopped growth somewhere around the 6 week mark. I am absolutely devastated and so is Ryan. We just pray that there is a reason why this baby was not able to grow and to have the strength to try again. Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes, we sincerely appreciate all the support everyone gave us during our waiting period.

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S.Y.

answers from Grand Rapids on

My sister went through the same situation. She went in with the doctor thinking she was about 7 weeks along, but really was only 6 and could not yet see the heartbeat. She went in again about a week later, and they were able to see it. She had previously had a molar pregnancy, and did not find out until she should have been 11 weeks that there was no heartbeat. Needless to say, she is EXTREMELY excited and relieved that there is a heartbeat and she just entered the 2nd trimester and things still look good. Try not to stress too much, it was just a little too early and they should see it at the next ultrasound. Best wishes! and keep smiling :)

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L.K.

answers from Detroit on

Hi K.,

Like Amanda, I carried a baby for several weeks that they discovered during ultrasound had died. However, on the up side, although they couldn't hear a heartbeat right away with this last pregnancy (it took me 5 of them to get my son!), when they had me come back a couple weeks later for another ultrasound, they found his heartbeat and all was good! He'll be a year old in a couple weeks! Try to stay positive and relax as much as you can. You've got a lot of us here keeping you in our prayers! Please let us know what happens.

L.

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T.R.

answers from Kalamazoo on

I myself have not gone through this, but my bestfriend did. She also was not very far along and they couldn't find her baby's heartbeat either. They told her not to get her hopes up or down, I think that they have to say that for liability reasons. She went back a few weeks later (the longest few weeks in history) I sat in the parking lot waiting and she came out crying, I braced myself for the worst and she said, "They found the heartbeat!" I hope this gives you hope and one more thing the fact that you are having nausea is a GREAT sign. Good luck and God Bless :)

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L.O.

answers from Detroit on

I feel you and know what you are going through. There may be a possiblity that they just did'nt see it. I have had two miscarrages myself so I completely understand your fear! Just try to relax, it's good that your still feeling the nausea. I hope everything turns out ok! L. O

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J.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi! I am so sorry that you are going through this, my heart is with you. This last pregnancy of mine was so hard on me and my emotions. I found out in early Oct. that I was prego! And by the middle of Oct. I was spotting. I had to go to the ER and they couldn't find a heartbeat either. They questioned that I was even pregnant! I went to my doctor after that and after a series of internal & external ultrasounds and numerous blood tests. This went on for over a week. My doctor thought that our baby was shrinking and that I was indeed having a miscarriage. He told me that I could let it happen naturally(which is what we chose) or if I didn't want to wait I could have a D&C. I went home shocked. I named our baby Saul (it means asked for). My doctor wanted to monitor how I was doing and so I went in for more testing. I had another blood test to test my levels of pregnancy hormone. When the doctor got the results he was shocked, the hormone was going way up, instead of down. So he ordered another ultrasound. This time they found a heartbeat and that he was getting bigger!! The doctor had no real good explanation of what had happened. I think that I was just a lot earlier than what they thought I was. I had a healthy baby boy on June 13, 2006. We named him Solomon Ace (it means peaceful unity). This was the most trying pregnancy ever-I also spotted around Christmas and had to be put on bedrest for over a month-I am so glad that I decided to wait and not have a d&c. I think I found out we were expecting almost as soon as you are able to with an HPT! I hope things go as well for you as the ended up going for me. My family and friends and prayer pulled me through my tough time. Don't hold your feelings inside, talk them out. I'll be praying for you and your family.

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C.B.

answers from Detroit on

I was told that they can't hear the heartbeat until around 10 weeks. I have 5 kids and have had 2 miscarriages. One before my 4th and one right after him...they were both 8 weeks and they didn't check for a heartbeat because they said it was too soon. They never checked for a heartbeat with my other 5 children before 10 weeks either.

I'm keeping you in my thoughts. Please keep us updated!

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A.I.

answers from Lansing on

K.
let me start by saying relax nothing worse for your pregnancy then to stress yourself out i know it easy to say that if you are not the one in the waiting game but everthing will be ok it just to soon to see so relax and go about your life as you would keep good thoughts and all will be fine

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R.H.

answers from Detroit on

Try to stay as calm as possible, though I realize that is extremely difficult because of the uncertainty of the situation.

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T.B.

answers from Grand Rapids on

Hi K.,

My one and only pregnancy was very similar. My doctor and/or ultrasound tech weren't able to find a heartbeat until the 11th week. For nearly 3 months I was SO afraid that my baby wasn't going to make it. And just when I got comfortable with the fact that she DID have a heartbeat, then at 13 weeks I started bleeding too. But, while they were never able to determine the cause, I went in for ANOTHER ultrasound, and when I saw the heartbeat, and I saw that little tiny hand waving at me, I knew it was going to be ok.

Give it some time. Try not to worry. And, when you finally DO get to hear that heartbeat...enjoy every minute of it.

Good luck to all of you!

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A.R.

answers from Detroit on

Stay strong sweetie, often that early the heartbeat is still hard to detect. I myself just recently had a miscarriage, the baby died at 8 weeks and I continued to develope to 21 and a half weeks so I know how scary this is for you. Stay strong and keep you hopes up, I'll pray for you.

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D.S.

answers from Grand Rapids on

I had a miscarriage and when I got pregnant again, my ob immediately sent me in to have my hormone levels checked. They do two blood tests, usually 48 hours apart and they can tell if your levels are rising like they should. Ask your ob if they'll check your levels - it really helped with my peace of mind to know that everything was going ok even before we heard the heartbeat!

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B.E.

answers from Detroit on

you dont need to be stressing , especially if your little one IS alive and kicking =] if not, i'm sure god will give you another chance. I didnt hear my son's heartbeat until i was near 4 months. they just never checked. be happy and positive, thats all you can do. pray, and just make sure that baby isnt hurting over your anxiety. you can't give or take life, so let god just do his job. i'm sure he knows what he's doing =]

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L.W.

answers from Detroit on

Hello K.,
I know how scary it is to fear losing your baby. I was 32 weeks when my babygirls heartbeat couldn't be found and she was stillborn and after that between my boys I had 2 misscarriages. I can tell you this with my last son due to I was high risk for miscarriage my Dr. did a internal ultrasound through your vagina. They did pick up the heartbeat then. She knew I was a nervous wreck and I told her I just wanted to know the baby was ok. Call your Dr and ask if you can do that. They can pick up the heartbeat as early as 6 weeks that way. Because the baby is so small they need to be closer to it.. Let me know how it goes.. I pray for only the best for you and your new baby.. I am sure if they do the other way they will pick up a heartbeat..

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K.D.

answers from Detroit on

I am praying for you right now, and will continue. I miscarried my first child, and was devastated for many reasons. I didn't find out untll my 3 mth appt. that the fetus did not progress past 4 wks, and had to have a D&C. The next pregnancy was fine, but I lived in fear until she was born. Then I had an ectopic pregnancy. And then another beautiful child. I have 3 healthy, beautiful children, yet it is hard to except the losses. I truly believe they are little angels up in heaven looking over us.

I will pray that you have the strength to get through the period of unknowing. I know how scary and painful that is. Keep breathing. Keep praying.

Feel free to e-mail me if you just want to talk, vent, cry....

Kim

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