When was it over?

[lisaywg]

I have been reading posts about fetal heartbeats and it reminds me of some questions I had when I had my miscarriage in early November at 12 1/2 weeks.  It was my 1st pregnancy.  I had slight bleeding at 10 weeks, my doctor tried to hear a heartbeat with the Doppler, but heard nothing.  She was not concerned at the time as she said it was still early.  My first prenatal appointment was at 12 weeks, still no heartbeat, she was still not concerned.  I had horrible cramping and bleeding a few days later and miscarried after my 2nd visit to the ER.  The ER doctor mentioned that the "products of conception" were a lot smaller than they should have been for someone who was 12 weeks pregnant.  My question for my doctor was "When was this pregnancy actually over?"  Was it doomed right from the start or was there a chance at any point?"  If it was over from the start, why did I carry it for 3 months?  She was not able to answer the question.  I don't know how to word it, but if there never was a baby, I feel like I was "cheated".  I was so excited about being pregnant and am trying again.  Sorry to ramble on, but I guess I have a lot of questions.

[Keith Downing, MD]

Hello,  

In a normally developing pregnancy the fetal heart beat can be detected as early as 5.5-6 wks (by transvaginal ultrasound).  Because women's dating is often inaccurate they may think they are further along in a pregnancy which may confuse the picture.  

There are sonographic (ultrasound) findings that are characteristic of an early developing pregnancy, and when they are not detected one must consider if the pregnancy is too early to determine viability or if it is an abnormal pregnancy.  This sort of issue can usually be sorted out in a week or two by follow up ultrasound.

In your case, when a fetal heart rate is not detected by doppler an attempt should be made to do so by other means (i.e., ultrasound).  Perhaps in your case that could not be arranged in a timely fashion.  In terms of when the pregnancy ended, that cannot be determined by hindsight.

When a pregnancy does fail at less than 12-13 weeks most will spontaneously miscarry in the first two weeks.  However,it is possible this doesn't happen and the products of conception remain in the womb for weeks requiring a medical or surgical intervention.

I hope you find this information helpful.

Dr. Downing

[martikadragoon]

sometimes the baby will stop forming at around 4-8 weeks and your body will carry it for a few weeks until it receives signals to expel it.

It is very possible you miscarried at that early stage, and your body didn't recognise it til you were 12 weeks.

Next time you concieve, you need to have them do blood work, HCG quantative (not qualative, look it up online and you'll see the difference) and make sure they repeat it every 2 days to make sure it's doubling, also , be sure to REQUEST an ultrasound at about 7-8 weeks to make sure all is going well. Not a doppler. If you get an ultrasound you'll be able to SEE the babies heartbeat before you hear it. I'm 9 weeks today, and @ 6 and 7 weeks got to see my baby!

GOOD LUCK and ****BABYDUST**** to you!

Cindie

P.S. since your over 35 they may consider you slightly high risk so make sure you ask for a referral to high risk pregnancies because of your age. (they'll monitor you MUCH more closely!)