I have been on a pregnancy roller coaster the past few weeks. I had a positive test on November 8th, but I had been spotting for about a week. My OBGYN brought me in for blood work. My progesterone was good, but my HCG levels were only 40. He started me on Promethium to stop the bleeding, but told me not to hold out much hope. When I went in three days later, I was fully prepared for the worst. However, my levels had risen to 164, which was a big jump. He monitored me for another week, and my HCG continued to at least double every 2-3 days. I was hopeful. I went in yesterday for an ultrasound, and while he could find the sac, there was no heartbeat. He also found a fluid filled cyst on my left ovary. My doctor said it might be too early, or that the pregnancy may not be viable. He sent me in for more blood work, and said if my levels were not up significantly he would assume a blighted ovum. However, my levels yesterday were over 8,000, which is right on target. He wants me to come in for a follow-up ultrasound next week. I am so frustrated! I can handle the loss of a pregnancy after some grieving time, and I can also handle the joy of finding out everything is alright. What I can't handle is the waiting. Based on my best guess, I am probably about six weeks along. I am having a little cramping (probably from the cyst), but otherwise feel fine. Has anyone else been through this? I would really appreciate any advice.
yes! I was spotting even bleeding the whole first trimester and I had cysts busting the whole time. It was painful! You also could not see the heartbeat early on, so I didn't know what was going on!! Hang in there...you are doing fine...
If you are only 6 weeks along, it is too early to detect a heartbeat. Is the sac in the uterus, not in the tube? I'm sure it is or he would have said something. I had to go through fertility treatments to get pregnant with my daughter and even my fertility doctor wouldn't do a sonogram until I was 9 weeks because it's just too early. An early sonogram can cause more worry than necessary, as you can tell from what you are going through.
My advice, stay patient. Once you are 8-9 weeks ask for another sonogram, but don't do any before then. Your numbers look really good and that is the BEST indicator in early pregnancy.
Best of luck to you!
I had my sono done at 7 wks -- and we saw a heartbeat. She did advise me to not do it at 6 wks or earlier because she thought it was too early and we might not see much. So we waited a week.
I'm sure more answers will come when you're 7 wks or further along.
Most importantly, don't worry and pray about it. Stress is not good for you or the baby. Do whatever you can to relax and take your mind off things. And sleep and rest as much as you can!!
DJ-
I empathize with what you are going through. I had a similar situation with the begining of my current pregnancy. I had light bleeding and a positive preg. test. After several previous miscarriages...i assumed that this pregnancy would end the same. I went in for an ultrasound and they said that there was a sac but no heartbeat etc. I had to wait over three weeks before they actually were able to detect a heartbeat (by then I was almost 7 weeks pregnant) and it was still a waiting game because of the early bleeding etc. I am now 13 weeks along and so far so good. Keep your head up and think positive. I know the waiting is the hardest part but there is really nothing that the doctors can do but wait and monitor you (HCG levels & Ultrasounds) My Doctor did see my every other week which was helpful but the waiting drove me nuts as well. Good luck!!!!
A heartbeat may not be detected on an ultrasound up to 8 weeks of pregnancy. Since your numbers are going up, that's a good sign. There is nothing you can do but wait. I'm a physician assistant in an ER and we have people come in all the time with pregnancy issues. Good luck.
I've never been through what you are going through and I can't imagine the roller coaster of a ride you are on.
I can, however, understand the waiting part. In 2001 I was scheduled for a hysterectomy and I was excited that I would feel great and all my troubles be gone. The absolute hardest part of the entire process........WAITING....on surgery day. I thought that day would never come.
My outcome was very successful and I am happier than ever but I will never forget that horrendous WAIT.
Best wishes to you and your family.
I'm so sorry for this emotional roller coaster ride that you have been on. It might be just too early to detect a heartbeat yet and many women have bled early and during their pregnancy and all came out well. I would keep guarded but hopeful (a very hard place to be). Not knowing whether to be relieved or sad is one on the most difficult places for a women to be. :(
I would make sure that you are under close doctors care until this whole thing is resolved. With strange HCG levels and any cramping the possibly of an ectopic could be the cause.
I'll say a prayer for you.
Best Regards,
C.
I didn't read the other posts, so forgive me if I'm repeating some info.
We had to use a fertility doctor to get pregnant with our first son. Even with a positive hpt he would not do a sono until 8 weeks for just this reason!! They said that often you cannot see the h/b early and it just adds undo stress!!
I bled with my 1st son from about 5 weeks until 13 weeks (let me tell you, the wait for the 1st sono was torture). Your numbers sound good, so just try to put the sono out of your mind.
I'll keep you in my prayers and keep us updated!!
I agree with the other two posts. The earliest my doctor would do a sono was 9 weeks. He said it was very difficult to detect a heartbeat before 8 to 9 weeks. Just rest and try to decompress. Stress is the worst thing for you now. Good luck and lots of baby dust!!
I agree with all the post you normally will not see a heart beat until week 7 or 8. With my first pregnancy I had to keep going in for blood work every other day to see if my HCG levels were rising and if my progestrone was falling it was horrible. I finally lost the pregnancy at about 6 weeks. My HCG levels were very low. So I think if your HCG levels are rising that is a great sign. Is it possible that you might be a week earlier than you think? Some women ovulate later in the month. Hang in there I know it is hard and I will be praying for you.
