posiitive pregnancy tests nothing on ultrasound should i be worried??

[tiff0325]

ok so i took a pregnancy test on july 26th..positive, went to planned parenthood to make sure on the 27th...positive. on August 8th I went to the ER because i noticed a little pink color on the TP when I wiped..so they did a blood test...positive.  Then they did a vaginal u/s and saw nothing at all anywhere.  But I have sore boobs, nausia on and off, tired, peeing all the time all the regular symptoms of pregnancy.  Now today I am still having a slight (and I mean slight) pinkish red discharge.  I go back tomorrow for another hormone level check. I am just really nervous and dont know what to think.  I have had 3 other babies that were all just fine. Any thoughts?

[adgal]

Yes, spotting can be caused by pelvic exams and vaginal ultrasounds.  It can also be caused by sex.  The cervix is super soft right now and easily irrated.  If your lmp was July 1st, that would make you just over 5 weeks.  I guess this is a wait and see.  In my opinion that is the absolute worst!  I know how crazy that can make you.  I would request another ultrasound in a week.  At 6 weeks they should definately see at least a sac and be able to measure it.  That should give you your answers.  I know, that probably seems like an eternity right now.  I'm so sorry your having to go through this.  

[tiff0325]

Thanks for your information...i was also wondering if maybe the spotting today is from the half pelvic exam as well as the vaginal u/s? It is just frustrating to have all these positive tests and see nothing on an ultrasound i had a period from july 1 to the 3rd it was very light but thats the last one

[adgal]

It's really hard to answer this one, but I will do my best.

As you probably know, pregnancies are dated based on first day of last menstural period.  Did you take the test based on a missed period?  Or were you testing early?  

Here is the thing...symptoms, or lack of really have no meaning when it comes to determining whether a pregnancy is viable, or in the right spot.  Light spotting is also not a good indicator. It can happen in the early stages of miscarriage, or with an etopic, and also happens in many normal pregnancies.  Having had normal pregnancies before also unfortunately has no real bearing on the current situation.

If you are 5 weeks or more from your first day of last period, and not even a sac is showing, that may be cause for concern.  It may also mean they used lousy equipment, or you had late implantation.  If you are 7 weeks from first day of last period, then in a viable pregnancy not only the sac, but a fetal pole and heartbeat are usually visible.

I know this is a nervewracking time.  The best I can tell you is that I have had light spotting that later led to a loss, and also light spotting that resulted in my now 18 month old son.  

The waiting is the absolute worse!  Especially when no one can give you any answers.  I am assuming they are going to repeat the ultrasound in a week or so?  Also, the monitoring of HCG levels will give them some info. In a normal healthy pregnancy they increase quite quickly, approximately doubling every 48 to 72 hours (until they reach about 1200 when the doubling time slows).  In a non viable pregnancy they are usually slower to rise, or even decreasing.  In an etopic, they are typically slower to rise as well.

I wish there was a way to tell you for sure what is going on.  Unfortunately only time will give you that answer.  I will tell you that if the bleeding increases to a heavy amount (a pad per hour) or you start experiencing any pain in your side, you do need to seek medical attention immediately.

I wish you well, and truly truly hope this turns out well.  I hope you have your answer soon.

Take care.