No heartbeat and 2mm fetal pole at 6 weeks

[Hibeemcbee]

Hi everyone, looking for some advice. After TTC for 3 years we finally got our BFP this month following successful first round of IVF using FET. On Monday I had some bleeding, not a lot but it was red and fresh so completely freaked me out. We went to the hospital and were told it was likely ok but they wanted to scan me on Wednesday (exactly 6 weeks, almost to the hour) to check if everything was ok. At that scan they said they could see that everything was there and confirmed pregnancy, we were delighted.

However, afterwards we were spoken to by a NHS nurse who told us that the fetal pole was only measuring 2mm and that there was no heartbeat. She was very negative and we came away thinking it was all over. We have spoken with our private clinic that we did the IVF with, who said they wanted to check my HCG which came back as 10,005 - they said this was in line with what they expect and that we should come in for a scan at 7 weeks.

We are so worried and anxious, we have gone from thinking it’s all over to now having some hope. Looking for anyone who has been in similar situations. Much appreciated ❤️

[Solo45]

so sorry you’ve had such a stressful Experience. I don’t have much knowledge re the expected pole size at this stage but I recall that often heartbeat isn’t detected until 7/8 weeks, so it may just have been too early. I’m having some similar spotting and not sure if it’s from the progesterone pessaries or something more troubling, and deliberating whether to investigate- but erring on letting see how it plays out. I’m earlier than you 4weeks plus 6 on FEt calculations or 5weeks plus 6 on NHS ones. Really hoping you get some reassurance from your clinic and the next scan is good news.

[StarsAllAround]

I don't know anything about the fetal pole size but I do know that the heartbeat isn't always detected until 7 weeks. I had a lot of bleeding at exactly 6 weeks had a scan at 6w1d they could see sack and spotted a hematoma but no heartbeat. I went back for another scan at 6w4d and the heartbeat was there. Had another scan a few days ago at 8w1d and so far all is ok. I hope you have the same outcome x

[Hibeemcbee in reply to StarsAllAround]

Thanks - that is reassuring to read about your scan at 6wk 1day. I will keep my fingers crossed it’s something similar.

[DianeArnold Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Hi. Sorry about typo. I had an eye injection and it’s sore, so tried to narrate reply. I’m sure you must be so upset with not really knowing what’s going on. Sometimes a bleed can happen at this time as the placenta is forming. Keep up with all prescribed medications including folic acid and vitamin D and hopefully the week 7 scan will be good. Drink plenty of water in case of a bit of infection. Keep plenty of support around your. I shall be thinking of you and yhis makes sense. Diane

[Hibeemcbee in reply to DianeArnold]

thanks Diane! I will keep going with all vitamins and drugs I’m on and keep fingers crossed for 7 week scan.

I hope your eye recovers soon. ❤️

I hope your

[Ting9]

Thank you for sharing as currently going through something similar. This is our second FET and I got a bit of bleeding which I wasn’t too worried about but thought best to get checked anyway. Got referred to the early pregnancy unit and had a scan the other day at 6w5d and they were unable to get a clear image due to the position so, unable to tell us either way.

Have a scan booked with our clinic on Tuesday which will hopefully give us some answers. It is such a rollercoaster!

[Hibeemcbee in reply to Ting9]

It certainly is a rollercoaster! Please let us know how Tuesday goes. We have to wait until Thursday. Good luck 🤞

[Hibeemcbee in reply to Ting9]

Hey, how did it go today?

[Ting9 in reply to Hibeemcbee]

Unfortunately the pregnancy has not progressed. Heartbroken is an understatement. Thank you for asking. I am really hoping you get a different outcome tomorrow x

[Hibeemcbee in reply to Ting9]

I’m so sorry to hear that, I hope you are as ok as you can be and thanks for your kind wishes in my situation. Xx

[NewYorkLover]

Hi there, I had a scan slightly earlier than you at 5 w3d and they said that they could see the gest sac but not the yolk sac and that it wasn't a very good sign. We waited until 8 weeks for another scan and we saw a baby with a heartbeat. It was just measuring a day smaller than it should (given it is an ivf pregnancy) . Distract yourself, hold on these positive stories and good luck on Thursday. Sending positive vibes ❤️

[CardiGrey]

It is very worrying and anxiety provoking in limbo waiting for answers. As some people have shared above, you can still have a positive outcome. I hope you’ve got lots of support around you and I wish you the best for your repeat scan. Thinking of you x

[Hibeemcbee]

thank you everyone for the messages and positive stories. We haven’t given up yet and hoping for a good outcome on Thursday. Xxx

[Winc20]

I went in for an early scan at 6+1 and there was nothing there to be seen, just the sac - they couldn't find the embryo, or a heartbeat, nothing. So it was a presumed BO. Then after thinking it was all over we went back at 6+4 and everything was all there to be seen and all ok. I firmly believe that anything before 7 weeks can just sometimes be too early... I hope it's good news come 7 weeks and am thinking about you xxx

[Hibeemcbee in reply to Winc20]

Thanks, that gives me hope! Was it an IVF pregnancy in your case?

[Winc20]

Yes it was IVF - our 7th embryo! So we had tried quite a few

[Hibeemcbee in reply to Winc20]

Thanks for confirming. That gives us a lot of hope for Thursday. Xx

[Winc20]

Sending you love for Thursday - and strength for between now and then as I know how horrendous this wait is and how time is going so painfully slowly right now xxx

[Hibeemcbee in reply to Winc20]

Thank you so much. I’ll update on here once we have a result. I know how horrible it is reading threads like this which end with no outcome. Xx

[Hibeemcbee in reply to Winc20]

oh and congratulations on your pregnancy. 7 attempts, you deserve it! Xx

[Winc20]

Yes do let me know - sending more love xxx

[Hibeemcbee]

hi everyone, just an update and in case anyone reads this thread in the future. It was bad news for us today, baby had stopped developing and still no heartbeat. We are devastated but determined to try again soon. Thanks again for all your replies and well wishes. X

[Millbanks in reply to Hibeemcbee]

I’m so sorry to read this. So utterly heartbreaking 💔

Sending love xx

[Ting9 in reply to Hibeemcbee]

I’m so sorry to hear this. Please feel free to message if you need someone to talk to as know how hard it is x

[Londongirl84 in reply to Hibeemcbee]

In really sorry to hear this. I’ve just gone through the same thing in the last two weeks. Please reach out if you need someone to talk to. Xx