HCG rollercoaster/scans. Do you always see a heartbeat at 6w 2d?

[FrancyItaly]

Hi ladies,

I had a very intense week with lots of blood tests and a couple of scans.

At the scan on Thursday (exactly 6 weeks) they could only see a gestational sac and a yolk sac, no embryo. Hcg raising time was terrible on this day and the doctor was not very positive. I also had some cramps and light pink spotting.

They asked me to go back today at 6+2 and the fetal pole was there measuring 3 days behind what he should be. They could not see a heartbeat on the screen. I was meant to do IVIG but as my hcg came back ok they changed their mind and told me to go home. Hcg is been all over the place as you can see but they had to check to see it I should have IVIG.

Any hope for me left? I have another scan next Friday. Do you think is it ok they couldn’t see the heartbeat at all today?

Hcg:

02/02: 2016

04/02: 3308

06/02: 5281

08/02: 6737

09/02: 8767

10/02: 9302

12/02: 16447

[Hidden]

Hey lovely, been following your posts - what a stressful time you are having but so thrilled to see the latest bump in HCG, looking good! It’s super early at 6+2 and if you are 3 days behind you are only 5+ … my clinic doesn’t scan before 7 weeks because it’s often inconclusive.. so I would keep on positive thinking as I think you are still in the game xx

[FrancyItaly in reply to Hidden]

I really hope I will see a bit of growth and a heartbeat next week, that is all I ask. I know is a lot to ask after such a bumpy start!!! Thank you xxx

[KiboXX]

Hey lovely,

First of all just wish I could give you a big hug! Same as Daisy, my clinic won’t scan until 7 weeks as it can be inconclusive. The heart starts to beat somewhere in the sixth week so the chances are it’s just too early and hopefully you will get to see with one your next scan 🤞🏻 Don’t worry about the 3 days behind, at this point the measurements are not very accurate as it’s so small. I was measuring 5 days behind at my 7 week scan and everything was fine. Focus on that lovely big hcg jump until Friday ♥️ Xxx

[FrancyItaly in reply to KiboXX]

I’d need a hug! I think I had all these tests and scans because they wanted to to IVIG on a couple of occasions and both times my hcg came back normal so they avoided 🤷🏻‍♀️ They were ok with the scan and last hcg, I guess given my bumpy start it can go both ways next week! Hopefully I get good news for once! xxx

[KiboXX in reply to FrancyItaly]

I’ve still got my positive pants on for you and I’m expecting good news on Friday 🤞🏻♥️

I saw your other post about sore boobs and just wanted to say, I had really sore boobs with my first cycle BFP that ended in a mc. My two successful pregnancies I didn’t have sore boobs at all so don’t read too much into it xx

[FrancyItaly in reply to KiboXX]

I thought with both pregnancies I had very sore boobs and then had miscarriages so even if I had sore boobs now it still wouldn’t make me feel better, I don’t know 🤷🏻‍♀️Did you have bigger boobs/nipples at some point later in pregnancy? ❤️ Xx

[KiboXX in reply to FrancyItaly]

I did get sore boobs on and off later on in my first trimester but nothing crazy. They seem to be far more affected by the ivf drugs then pregnancy itself! Also both my successful pregnancies have been very different so there really isn’t any pattern xx

[Char2383]

I’m so happy to see your post, the most recent rise in Hcg is a great sign 🤞🏼 I think sometimes clinics check hcg too often, it’s just added stress! They don’t always see a heartbeat at this stage especially if you’re measuring a little behind. Seeing a fetal pole is really good. God what a week you’ve had.. so up and down, this is what people don’t realise about fertility treatment. I hope you’re feeling ok and have managed to stay grounded. Try to do a lot of self care this coming week and really look after yourself. We’ll all be thinking of you this Friday, sending loads of good vibes your way 🤞🏼✨ x x

[FrancyItaly in reply to Char2383]

It seems a good jump but why wasn’t it growing well before though? 🤔 I keep thinking that shouldn’t have happened but hopefully there is no reason behind it and I will have good news for a change. Thank you! xxx

[Char2383 in reply to FrancyItaly]

My first IVF consultant said that hcg tests can be unreliable and she’d only ever do it once to confirm a positive pregnancy test then scan at 6.5-7 weeks.. the results can bring on a lot of anxiety otherwise. I only had mine checked once (the time it worked) and once was enough for my nerves! I hope the week flies by, take care lovely we’re rooting for you 🤞🏼🍀✨ xx

[FrancyItaly in reply to Char2383]

My case is different as I have slightly high NK cells and needed to check whether I needed IVIG or not based on hcg. Glad to hear it can be unreliable, for me so far the hcg levels predicted both my miscarriages but hopefully this time is different! Definitely need to see a heartbeat on Friday for it to be viable 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻 Xxx

[Char2383 in reply to FrancyItaly]

Oh I see, I swear I learn something new about the complexities of fertility treatment everyday! I’ll be thinking of you on Friday lovely 🍀🤞🏼🙏🏼 I hope you have some nice things this week to keep you occupied x x x

[Hidden]

Hey Fancy Italy,

Just wanted to say that I think of you and I'm so so sorry that you have to go through such a stressful time.

I think you are still in a game and wish you a lot of luck!

I hope it's just a bad start.

xxx

[FrancyItaly in reply to Hidden]

I hope so too! Hopefully thinks will catch up although it wasn’t the case with my previous pregnancies. At least now I am being monitored and taking some meds which makes me feel better than doing nothing with NHS. Thank you xxx

[LJT22]

I had a scan on my son at 6+5 and couldn’t see a heartbeat but a week later it was there. Hang in there ❤️ X

[FrancyItaly in reply to LJT22]

That’s scary but hopefully I will see it next Friday! Never had good news at any scan before so it would be a first, well deserved, good news if it happens! Thank you xxx

[MofM]

I was looking forward to your updates, glad that things still look on the positive side (also not as positive as you wished).

My clinic suggests scanning at least at 6w+6d, and never scans before 6w+2d. Also, if the first bHCG reading (at 14dp5dt) is higher than (I think) 600 they don't even do a second measurement because the first reading is promising enough and the other measurements may just add stress (raising time is not an exact science!). In your case, bHCG is still raising and despite being a few days behind things look in order.

I would wait to throw the towel 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻!

Keeping you in my thoughts xxx ❤️

[FrancyItaly in reply to MofM]

My first beta was done on 15pt and it was 2016. The following ones were not great apart from 2 of them… it is stressful but they were considering giving me IVIG due to slightly evelated NK cells and they had to make a decision based on something. My last hcg and scan were “ok” so no IVIG, but just a scan next week. Hopefully for once I will have good news x

[MofM in reply to FrancyItaly]

I find you reading ok. They were always doubling every 72h (closer to 60h, actually, according to an online calculator I found), so I will keep my positive hat on for you 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻!

I see why you had so many bHCG, and, for the first time, I appreciate my clinic policy of having only one measurement. At the start, I did not like it because I was scared that the value would drop later on (as it happened twice in the past, miscarriage + CP) and I would go two weeks later for the scan and there would be an empty womb...

I have everything crossed for you 🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻

[Cinderella5]

Wow, so the rollercoaster continues! Your latest hCG looks good again. It also good news that they have been able to see a fetal pole on your last scan. 3 days on an early scan is neither here nor there, one of our boys was a few days behind.🤞🏻🤞🏻xxx

[FrancyItaly in reply to Cinderella5]

Isn’t it strange how the raising varies? The pregnancy is where it should be so an ectopic is ruled out. It seems this little one is fighting to stay! I had intralipids, only after the BFP a week ago and hopefully is doing something. Also LOTS of prayers should help. Can’t do any more than this. Hopefully I have some good news at the scan xxx

[Cinderella5 in reply to FrancyItaly]

Well I guess not everything in medicine is 100%, no two cases the same etc. I'm praying for you also, definitley a little fighter in there!!🤞🏻xxx

[ttcemmie]

Best wishes for the next scan. What a tumultuous time! So hard when they can't tell enough about pregnancies (especially early on). Modern medicine needs to catch up so you don't have to go through this agonising wait. Got everything crossed for you. xxx

[FrancyItaly in reply to ttcemmie]

Thank you, now obsessing about the lack of symptoms expecially zero breast tenderness and this is a first! Oh well, I just have to keep hope and pray until Friday! Xxx

[Jess1981]

I’m glad that the HCG is rising well now and scan shows everything is where it should be therefore eliminating any possible ectopic pregnancy. My specialist wouldn’t personally scan before 7 weeks as there is a chance you may not see the heartbeat at 6 weeks and causing more stress. I had my viability scan at 7 weeks and 5 days and even then we hardly saw anything- baby looked like a peanut! A few days out does not mean all is over- my scans my due dates have always changed usually my babies measure. 2 days ahead but I have heard of ladies measuring a few days behind and having perfectly healthy babies! Due dates are irrelevant- babies come when they want to my son Jamie arrived a week early and my daughter Francesca was 4 days late! 😂 a midwife once told me in France they don’t issue an exact due date- they give you 3 weeks window when baby is likely to arrive to stop ladies freaking out and being fixated over one day! I honestly think with you it’s a case of being a wee bit early and I have a good feeling about this pregnancy for you. I know you won’t be be able to relax until you see that heartbeat. Some women see heartbeat at 6 weeks but not all women will do but by 7 weeks you should definitely a heartbeat if it’s a viable pregnancy. 6 weeks is very early. The fact you are not bleeding the numbers are rising well the pregnancy is in the right location are all good reasons to remain hopeful. Xx

[FrancyItaly in reply to Jess1981]

Yes Friday we must see a strong heartbeat or it’s all over! Do you think with my last hcg level I should feel some sore breast? With my previous pregnancies I had very sore breast and now nothing. I hope my hcg didn’t stop at that level. I will keep hoping for Friday. The nurse said my husband is allowed to come in with me this time. I wonder it it’s a good sign or not! xxx

[Jess1981 in reply to FrancyItaly]

I would say every pregnancy is different- and some women like my MIL have no symptoms at all but she had 3 healthy sons! This pregnancy I had very little symptoms- only a tiny bit of breast pain ( nothing as strong as I had with Francesca!) and tiredness is all I had in early weeks with this pregnancy. I think the tiredness was more to do with running after Francesca! Symptoms aren’t a good indication of how well a pregnancy is progressing- your HCG levels are rising well and pregnancy is in the right location is. Also any symptoms you do have will come and go and not every pregnant women will have any but go onto have a healthy baby . Maybe the nurse thinks having hubby there will ease the anxiety- my maternity department and EPU have been allowing partners to pregnancy scans for some time now ( they aren’t permitted to the waiting area but the scans themselves they are allowed in) tho my maternity department are now insisting on lateral flow tests for both mum to be and her support partner before attending any appointment. My hospital recognise it is bad for mums anxiety to not allow her a support partner- I can’t imagine getting bad news on my own whilst being scanned. I feel so sorry for those poor ladies who have received bad news all alone at scans 🥲 also the nurse might feel it is bonding experience for your hubby- it is a truly wonderful moment to hear baby’s wee little heartbeat and for men makes it very real for the dads. I personally feel the dads have as much right to be there as mum does it is half their baby too. I’d focus on the positive- the good rising HCG, the pregnancy in right location it all sounds like it’s going in the right direction, I hope Friday you get to hear the heartbeat 💓 and that offers much needed reassurance Xx

[FrancyItaly in reply to Jess1981]

Yes the hospital always allowed my husband in for scans and for both transfers. I’m having the Friday scan with the private clinic that has been monitoring me since BFP and they are strict about having no partners at scans! I guess because it could go either way and given my previous losses, they thought it would be good it my husband is with me. Yes I would be over the moon if for once I could at least see some heartbeat on the screen! 💗 xx

[Jess1981 in reply to FrancyItaly]

How odd lots of private scans were allowing partners when the NHS weren’t! I’m glad they are allowing your husband to be with you- I can’t imagine not having my husband with me at pregnancy scans especially as we’ve had a few where we’ve had very bad news ( that’s how we found out our daughter Amelia died) -pregnancy scans give me huge level of anxiety and I’m hoping as I’m being induced tomorrow I won’t have to have another one ever again due to recurring miscarriages, spotting and growth scans i have had 11 with this pregnancy! Every scan I’ve feared the worst.I still can’t relax until she arrives safely- even tho she is very active and moves a lot it’s nuts! Totally non logical but huge level of fear which I think previous losses can cause. I can completely relate to your fear of the next scan. Good luck for Friday I hope all goes well and this baby is your special rainbow baby Xx

[FrancyItaly in reply to Jess1981]

Oh wow you are being induced tomorrow, time flies! That’s so exciting! Not long for you! No more scans sounds great!!! Wishing you all the best for tomorrow and give us news! Xxxxx

[Littlepeax]

How stressful 😔 Hope all goes well at your next scan ❤💫🙏 xxx

[FrancyItaly in reply to Littlepeax]

Thank you, I really hope so! 💕

[BBHH1]

Hi, sorry for the rollscoster. It may be too early for seeing the heartbeat. The rule when there is a fetus seen on US is the heartbeat have to be there to be a viable pregnancy in fetus >7mm. So you just need to wait and see. Good luck!

[FrancyItaly in reply to BBHH1]

Yes I can’t do much, I can just wait! Thank you! Xxx

[letro112 in reply to FrancyItaly]

Hi at France Italy...

I too am in the throws of stress. Have had previous pregnancies where HCG hasn't risen properly etc. This time HCG was soaring and doing everything thing it needs to.

Had my first scan at 5 weeks 6 and they could see everything and a flickering heartbeat.

Then at 7 weeks .. doctor said I was measuring behind and heartbeat slow .. had a second opinion and another doctor said u was measuring 6 weeks 5 and HB 108, with a really clearly defined fetal pole. Like that too the plan was to do IVIG if she thought it was necessary but she felt everything was looking healthy so did an intralipid instead.

Role forward to yday ... had another scan in another clinic and they only measured me 6 weeks with a faint heartbeat.

I don't know at this stage if it is the machines or the experience of the sonographers that's the issue .. but will have to go back for another scan today in the same place where I measured 6 weeks 5 and see what there prognosis is...

It's soo distressing

😭.. anyways wishing us both well xx

[FrancyItaly in reply to letro112]

I’m so sorry to hear, with my previous pregnancy the heart was slow and it was concerning but sometimes it can catch up! We are scanned so so early and anything can happen at this stage. Perhaps it will make sense to use the same clinic for the scan and use the same equipment 🤷🏻‍♀️Please let me know how it goes today, I pray for a positive outcome! 💕

[letro112 in reply to FrancyItaly]

FrancyItaly .. so had our scan I was still measuring 6w5, however doctor didn't seem concerned by this. She said its v possible for measurements to be off at this stage. And equally too these little beans can go through growth spurts at their own time and pace. She said the heartbeat was now 114 beats which was increasing and a good sign and she seemed happy with this. She felt if its increasing its developing.

She did say with my history that unfortunately this will just be a high risk pregnancy.. but once the heartbeat keeps beating we are in a good position and not to worry about the growth or size at the moment.

I'm back again Monday with her for a scan. Very best of luck tmw ..

I will be lighting candles for us both

🕯️ x

[FrancyItaly in reply to letro112]

Thank you for the candles, I really need one and I will do the same for you!

I’m so happy to hear the heart rate has increased, that’s a good sign! The intralipids is making a difference! I will see a heartbeat tomorrow, I am worried to death! I can’t bear another bad news… xxx