My wife and I have been on our IVF/ICSI journey since January 2024. Our first cycle unfortunately ended in a MMC (approx 6/7 weeks when growth stopped), no heartbeat.
We were absolutely devastated, so naturally my wife & I needed some time to heal before considering a second cycle.
We then started our second cycle in November 2024. Our positive test was on 3rd December. We were completely over the moon, but cautious due to our last experience.
Soon after our test result my wife experienced alot of the common pregnancy symptoms… this time round alot more so than our first cycle, such as morning sickness (day and night), tender/sensitive breasts, food aversions & cravings, lower back & upper arm aches, cramps and also headaches. Most of these symptoms still continue to this day.
Yesterday (31st Dec) we had our first scan. As you can imagine we were so so nervous and anxious, but full of faith. The nurse explained that she could see Gestational Sac (GS) as normal, Yolk Sac also as normal, and Embryo normal, however no cardiac activity as nurse said it’s too early.
However, measurements were not as expected for Week 7 + 6 days. GS was 8.8mm and CRL 3.6mm. So I believe that’s possibly 1/2 weeks behind.
Nurse did not want to confirm if this is a miscarriage, she wants us to come back in 2 weeks for another scan.
The thought of this wait is absolutely dreadful for my wife and I, as we are like well why not just tell us if pregnancy is not viable.
We are keeping the faith and hopes as high as possible but feel so drained and fearful at the same time.
If anyone can help who has a similar or same situation please do share your thoughts.
Really appreciate you taking the time in reading this.
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I am so so sorry I’ve been there and the wait until next scan is awful 😢 can you ask them to scan in a week instead of 2? With IVF we know our exact dates so measuring this far behind they should know in a week what direction things are going in and it seems cruel to keep you hanging on a fortnight. Thinking of you both xx
Thank you so much for your responses Twiglet2 Moshine13
The information you have shared is massively helpful.
My wife and I have explored the idea of doing an earlier scan, so we may just do so for next week Tuesday, making it 7 days on since our initial scan.
We completely understand that with IVF the dates are all tracked with precision, so my wife and I were so confused as to how we could have a possible “slow grower” baby in the making, surely if measurements and dates don’t match up then it’s not viable…
But the fact our consultant & nurse informed us to continue with our progesterone injections/pessaries over the next two weeks, when in our first cycle they told us at the first scan our pregnancy was definitely not viable & to stop using the medication, this is the hope we are holding onto with this situation.
Will keep you posted regarding our outcome. I guess our human nature is to believe in miracles when we want something so bad.
Yeah I was the same was measuring a week behind at 6 weeks and went back weekly there was always growth but always still measuring a week behind but because of the growth they had to keep me on the meds and couldn’t diagnose a non viable pregnancy, we even had a heartbeat and fetal pole etc by 8 weeks but measuring only 7 weeks… by 9 weeks it had stopped and no growth so they could finally say it was a missed miscarriage and stopped the meds and I had the misscariage about 10 days later at 10 weeks. My consultant said if there is growth there is a small amount of hope and they need at least a week between scans to determine that. I decided not to hope between scans (better for me to be wrong than hurt) but my wife did hold on to hope as we all need to handle things in tough times in the way best for us. Thinking of you both xx
I am so sorry 😞 this is soo very hard... I am confused, if you are 7 weeks + 6 days I think you should have a heart beat 😞 my clinic do the early scan on 7 week exactly because there should be a heart beat then and they confirm if pregnancy is viable.... maybe it is different in different clinics but I always thought there should be a heart beat by now....I do hope I am wrong and that your little one is a bit behind 🙏🏻 will they be doing another scan next week?Sending loads of love to you both x
Our clinic was the same, they wouldn’t scan any sooner that 7 weeks plus a few days. There’s been a few slow growers though so fingers crossed. I would definitely be booking in for a private scan, two weeks would make you guys a day off 10 weeks and you’d like to hope a heartbeat would be there by 9 weeks. I opted for a blood test to check hcg after our first loss, we had to pay but had it at our clinic when they could hear how distressed I was, I’d probably just go for the scan though. All the best for you guys, regardless, your one step closer to your babe xxx
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. At 7 weeks 6 days an embryo should present with a heartbeat by now.
The exact same thing happened to me after icsi, positive pregnancy test, every symptom under the sun, the most horrendous sickness you can imagine, however I went for my viability scan at the clinic and there was no heartbeat and baby was to small.
We were scanned in another week and had a miscarriage confirmed at that second scan.
The wait is horrendous it really plays with every emotion you have and can be pretty soul destroying when your journey so far has already been so hard.
I hope you get the answers you both need so you can take steps forward should that be what you wish. Sending love x
So sorry to read what you and your wife are going through xx
The same happened to my husband and I in July and it unfortunately ended in a silent miscarriage.
The sonographer in the private clinic we went to advised waiting two weeks for a re scan but I went to EPU and they re scanned me a few days later so maybe this is an option for you both?
Could your wife get her HCG checked? Would be a good idea to see if the hcg is still rising or not. The sonographer told me that even though our dates are exact sometimes the embryos are slow implanters and that could be why it’s behind xx Sending you both lots of love and luck xx
I am so sorry for what you experienced but I’m sure you and your husband will remain strong, and please keep believing that you’ll have your miracle baby soon.
We did not explore the option of checking HCG levels, neither were we provided that option from our clinic.
My wife and I have opted for an earlier scan privately which shall be next week, as EPU are strict at keeping it 2 weeks for the follow up scan.
We are keeping maximum faith and hope, rather than feeling negative as it’s so draining.
I pray we all have our little bundle of joy soon… Gods timing is the best timing.
Our clinic is in Greece so we have to pay for absolutely everything which is annoying but also means we don’t have to wait. It’s ridiculous EPU make you wait 2 weeks.. it’s mental torture plus not to mention continuing with the medication.
Thank you so much xx Stay hopeful even though it’s exhausting xxxx
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