fetal pole @ 8 weeks

[HLFaup]

Very confused… hoping for some insight.

Last week we were told to expect a miscarriage due to no fetal pole being seen. We were sent home with all the info on management options and have spent the week trying to accept this has happened. We had a follow up scan this morning, expecting to be given guidance on which miscarriage route was best - only to be told they could now see a fetal pole (no heartbeat).

We are now booked in for another scan a week today since they have seen progress between scans. We are certain on dates due to IVF and I am 8weeks 5days today. Is it normal to only first see a fetal pole at this stage? Is this still likely to be an unviable pregnancy? The wait is tortuous 😩

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Might be a slow developer Good luck for your next scan Has the clinic suggested a blood test for the pregnancy hormone [BHCG] - may be worthwhile to ask about this possibility

Thinking of you

Janet -Partner

[HLFaup in reply to JA-fnuk]

No they haven’t suggested this. Probably since it is the NHS for the latest scan. Do you think it is worthwhile before the next scan? Thank you

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK in reply to HLFaup]

You mention i/t at your next clinic visit Or ask your GP /nurse at surgery

Janet

[HLFaup in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you. Are slow developers considered “normal”?

[Twiglet2]

I’m going to be honest with you as I needed honesty at this stage and didn’t really get it from my consultant. I was in the same boat and measuring behind and went for several scans as things were ‘still progressing’ ie they could see a fetal pole at 7 weeks but measuring too small then at 8 weeks we did finally see a heartbeat but it was slow by the 9 weeks scan it had stopped, I miscarried naturally at home at 10weeks.

As there is progression they need to keep on checking (HCG isn’t really useful at this stage as the body will keep producing it if the sac is growing) only scans but in my experience, and hours and hours and hours of research on this for weeks, no heartbeat by 8.5 weeks with an IVF pregnancy is unlikely to be a positive outcome but there is obviously a small chance which is why they are having you do return scans. Was the fetal pole measuring the size it should for 8.5 weeks? Was this an internal scan or external as that can also make a difference to chances here of detecting heartbeat.

I really really hope you are one of the exceptions I know exactly what you are going through and it’s a horrible state of unknown 😢 sending you all my love and strength xx 💜

[HLFaup in reply to Twiglet2]

Thank you - I really do need honesty. We did a lot of work the past week to work on acceptance of a loss and it felt like a tiny glimmer of hope to receive that news this past time. After my own research I found a mixture of results but you always search for the news you want right

I appreciate you sharing your own experience - I am sorry for your loss. I feel this will be a similar outcome. Feels cruel to delay the inevitable but I guess they have to cover all bases xxx

[HLFaup in reply to HLFaup]

Oh and they didn’t comment on measurements in relation to gestational age. Maybe an oversight or maybe intentional …

[Twiglet2 in reply to HLFaup]

I did have to drag that bit out of them tbh felt they weren’t giving me the full picture. I got a different consultant one of the scans though and she was much more open and honest and I just really appreciated it as google is all I had! Xx

[HLFaup in reply to Twiglet2]

Yes I bet you appreciated the full picture! They shouldn’t be worried about hurting our feelings because we look to them for the knowledge and expertise. I am trying so hard to stay off of Google…. 🫣xxx

[Twiglet2 in reply to HLFaup]

It might be that the sizes were all fine for you though and that’s why they didn’t mention it. If you can stay off google and try to occupy your mind as best you can that’s all that helped me between scans, thinking of you 💜 and I’m here if you want to chat about anything xx

[HLFaup in reply to Twiglet2]

Thank you so much 🩷 the kindness & support in this community is so wonderful xxx

[Twiglet2 in reply to HLFaup]

I know exactly what you mean I had accepted it and even with a heartbeat I still knew it wasn’t to be (ours was also measuring behind though) but the heartbeat and progression each week gave my other half hope and they thought it would be okay and that hurt me more than anything as I felt they were in a bubble and would be heartbroken over again (which they of course were). Perhaps the route of hope is the best one though as there is always hope xx