6 week early scan and no viability (heartbeat), is this normal?

[Ahopefulcouple]

Hi everyone, my wife and I went for our early scan due to light cramps she mentioned. First scan offered to us was around 3 weeks where they confirmed all is well inside and nothing to worry, we now know minor cramps are expected however, they booked us in for 2nd scan after 2 weeks just to check up on the progress. The sonographer this time shocked us both by straight away telling us to mentally prepare ourselves for miscarriage as they failed to confirm viability (heartbeats). We're very broken at the moment and devastated that there's no heartbeat at this early stage. We're 6 weeks into this currently and is this really happening? Can someone pls advise or shed some lights on this please?? We were only there on a follow up appointment from the last one to make sure all is in good order.

P.s. 1st scan at 3 weeks confirmed yolk sac and pregnancy.

2nd scan at around 5.5 to 6 weeks confirmed all is well and where it should be inside and even fetal pole measuring 5mm. So there has been overall progress.

3rd scan booked for 26th November 2018 (At 7.5 weeks).

We'd be extremely thankful to your views.

Thank you.

[destiny121]

Is it dead on 6 weeks... it maybe to early to pick up a heartbeat... I’m sure they say from 7 weeks you should be able to detect a heart beat... so it’s still very early

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to destiny121]

Hi Destiny121, hope you're well.

Yes 6 weeks. After a lot of reading and understanding how each pregnancy is different I began to realise it can be too early to detect heartbeats at this stage. There are cases where they have found it at 5 weeks and same thing other way round too where no heartbeat till sometimes 9-10 weeks.. so I'm definitely going to try and stay positive.

I'll update this next week onwards..

Thank you once again, God bless 🙂🙏

[Hidden]

6 weeks can sometimes be too early to pick up a heartbeat. They did find one for us at 6+3 weeks but I know a lot aren’t found this early

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Hidden]

Hi Hydromermaid-1, hope you're ok.

Thank you for the reply, it reassured us both.. makes sense totally.. Thank you once again.. hope everything went well for you.. all the best for the future too 🙂🙏

[Hidden]

I have no experience of this but am dreadfully sorry for what you are going through. I think 6 weeks can be a bit too early to detect baby/s heartbeat it sounds hopeful with the growth.. Miscarriage Association don’t recommend scans before 7 weeks as most pregnancies will then be able to detect a heartbeat. I really wish you well & hope your next scan goes better & can detect the heartbeat. ❤️❤️❤️ xoxo

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jess1981, hope you're ok..

Thank you for taking time out to point out about MA and their recommendation, it only makes sense and you're right..

I replied below to gcw104 in detail explaining the reasons why we went for the early scan. Whole experience defeated the object by that one person's actions/words. I am so sad to learn that there are people who work in this field who have no professional values.

She could have said, "in comparison to the last scan I'm pleased to inform that we have a growth and everything else is where it should be, nor extra fluid or tissues found which is great news. Ideally we'd like to see some sort of flicker or a heartbeat however, may be that's not present yet b'cz we're only in 6 weeks and for that reason I'd like to invite you back in 10 days. Hopefully by then there should be some flicker."

This would have made so much sense in my opinion.

She just went in to full blown miscarriage conversation straight away! My wife and I were totally in tears and shaking in fear. Everything turned dark for us at that point. Lost hopes and excitement. We couldn't see each other without having tears rolling down, couldn't engage in any conversation nor focus on work or even our health after that scan.

Your reply definitely made the difference and we would like to thank you for taking your time out to reply. Wish you have a successful one whenever you guys plan for your future. I'll update you about next week soon, until then stay blessed.. 🙂🙂🙂🙏

[Rbh2]

I had an early scan at about 5/6weeks and no heartbeat was detected but a pregnancy was found. I had a horrible wait until the next scan at 7+ weeks where all was found to be fine. My son is now 16 months old! Sometimes it is just too early to find a heartbeat.

It is a horrible time but keep thinking positive xxx

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Rbh2]

Thank you so much Rbh2, I had goosebumps reading your reply.. I screenshot this to my wife as she's the one who's taken the sonographer's harsh words to heart and been in utter state since the visit. You've made us both smile and I wish that your 16 months old bubba grows and lives a very healthy life ahead.. I'll post the updates in following week.. God bless you and your entire family..!! 🙏

[Hidden]

By next week there could be a heartbeat try not to worry too much as its super early. This is why I wouldnt go for an early scan Im getting 1 at 8/9 weeks even tho I mc the last at 13w and baby had stopped at 9w I sometimes feel is there any point if its going to happen there nothing you can do anyway regardless of how many scans you have. Just have to be positive and hope for the best.

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Hidden]

Hi Gcw104, thank you so much for replying, I totally agree with you about early scans and also understand we can't stop whats meant to happen.

I'm sorry for the long reply,

What made us panic is that this is our first pregnancy and wife raised concerns about cramp like pain (not severe though). We just wanted to make sure she and the baby to be are ok at this early time therefore, went to early pregnancy assessment unit where they confirmed all is well and also booked us in for a follow up scan adder 2 weeks. It was meant to identified that there's a progress and growth but instead of focusing on that, the sonographer just decided to come out with, "I need you guys to prepare yourselves, there's no easy way for me to say this. Unfortunately, this isn't a good news and it's a bad one. We've not been able to detect any heartbeat and you guys should take a few minutes to understand this is likely to be a miscarriage. Please wait in the room next door and nurses will attend for any questions you may have!!"...

Can you imagine the scene where all our dreams and excitement just got shattered in less than 30 seconds and my wife was in absolute mess.

No one talked about the growth that was taking place but instead, we're told to prepare ourselves for any parents to be's worst nightmare! I stayed strong and started questioning and then they confirmed overall progress and fetal pole that is now visible and measured 5mm.

They planted this unnecessarily in our mind and damage was done.. I will be speaking to her and her manager when I attend next time. I'd hate to see someone else's dreams get shattered like ours did by that lady again! She needs to learn how to deliver her message in a different way.

I wish you all the best none the less and thank you once again for taking time out to reassure us both. Much appreciated 🙂🙏

[Hidden in reply to Ahopefulcouple]

I totally understand we didn’t even get prepare yourself with our first miscarriage started bleeding went to EPU it was I’m sorry guys I’m not seeing what I should for 12w I was totally not expecting it. But I did think they handled it in the correct manner and was sympathetic and explained everything. My next was at my 12w scan no cramps or bleeding didn’t think it would happen again lost that one at 9w. It’s a super hard thing to go through I don’t think they were as good as the EPU I don’t think they knew what to say. My friend had scan early they said baby wasn’t the size it should be and could mc she like me has 2 in a row so was massively anxious she had to come back in 10 days and luckily all was well she’s 12w and waiting for her scan now hopefully everything is still ok. I’m sorry for what your going through the wait must be awful.

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Hidden]

Oh noooo, I'm terribly sorry to hear about your mc!! This is awful and I pray that all goes smooth for you in future. Also wish the same for your friend, I can imagine how she must have dealt with anxiety knowing your experience! Hate to see anyone going through this.. I'm a guy and I'm super concerned so I can only imagine what a mom to be must be feeling or going through, especially during mc!!!

I'll update more after 26th next week.. until then remaining hopeful, positive and mindful of the worst too now I guess..

God bless you all and best wishes for you 🙏🙂

[Hidden in reply to Ahopefulcouple]

Thanks I’m good at the min I’ve tried to be positive and focused and what will be will be. I really hope you have good news soon xx

[Ahopefulcouple]

Thank you everyone, feels very reassuring and it made a huge difference to us. I really can't thank you enough.. God bless you all..

[Lilmossy in reply to Ahopefulcouple]

God bless you and your wife and the little one. Like most people have commented it might be too soon. My friend had an early scan they told her she was miscarryingn so she booked herself a private scan and there was the heart beat. I’ve been put on bed rest for a few days and rushed in for an early scan but everything was fine. Stay strong and positive x

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Lilmossy]

Thank you lilmossy, really made a big difference reading your reply.. currently waiting to be seen at the reception.. Will update later.. Thank you once again.. 🙂

[Imo93]

I had a scan at 6 +4 privately as they wouldn't do it before 6 +3 as they said the heart beat wouldn't be detected before hand! Heart beat seen on scan at 6 +4 ! Now currently 37 weeks! Best of luck for next week's scan x

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Imo93]

Thank you lmo93, waiting at the hospital for scan.. Will update later.. 🙂

[Mantaray75]

I had a scan at 6 weeks after bleeding and they couldn’t see a foetus. I also got told all about miscarriage at the time. A week later we got a heartbeat and tmw I’m 21 weeks.

Hope it all works out for you.

X

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Mantaray75]

Thank you Mantaray75, I'm at the hospital waiting for my wife. We have scan in 15 minutes.. Heart pounding if I'm honest..

[Sisi14 in reply to Ahopefulcouple]

Everything crossed for you and wife , baby . Hope all goes well x

[Ahopefulcouple]

Hi everyone.. a quick update, we have been told today that they can confirm it's a miscarriage b'cz no foetus or foetal pole seen.. they saw foetal pole 5mm in size 10 days ago. We're about 7 week 3 days today.. They've explained all about how to dispose of it now.. We're majorly traumatised.. I think we're in denial and still remaining hopeful, expecting a miracle in other words.. I keep reading Mantaray75's comment and wishing it's whats happening to us.. words can't express how we feel.. any help anyone?

Thank you for reading.. all the best to you all.. 🙏🙏🙏

[Hidden in reply to Ahopefulcouple]

So sorry to read this update. It's heartbreaking and I know as myself and my husband went through similar in March. They don't usually recommend management until you are 100% sure yourself that nothing will develop. Have they not asked for you to monitor hcg or check again in a week?

Xxx

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Hidden]

Thank you Camillage, they have booked us in 2 weeks from today (10th December) for a scan to monitor if she's disposed of all of her pregnancy tissues as we chose to go by natural way rather than medical or surgical process..

Blood and urine tests are still to be confirmed.. we had them done last Tuesday the 20th Nov, and not heard anything back from them, they quoted, "we'll contact you if we find something alarming I.e. deficiency of any sort so if you've not heard from us means all is well on that level."

Not sure where we stand at the moment, part of me want to go and get a private scan done, may be that's bcz we're in denial or still "hopeful"..

Also I'm very sorry to hear about your personal experience too.. it's horrible and cruel I admit.. 🙏

[Hidden in reply to Ahopefulcouple]

It is, but there are still some success stories out there. Really wishing you all the best. The worst is the waiting and staying hopeful with an ever diminishing glimmer. But I eventually told myself that that was my practice run and next time all will be well. I am now 8+2 And anxiously awaiting each scan as it comes along. You will get there, you are obviously a strong couple and you will get through this together. As I say, I really hope the news changes. Xxx

[Ahopefulcouple in reply to Hidden]

Yeah definitely there are some successful stories out there, agreed. I would like to wish you guys and the miniture portion of amazeball best wishes and lots of hugs.. May your journey continues to go smooth and have a healthy life ahead both of you

We feel so lonely right now, hope some miracle happens and things change!!! 🤞🙏

[Hidden in reply to Ahopefulcouple]

I really hope you get the news you both need xxx

[Rach2022]

Hello,

Firstly I’m so, so sorry that you’re going through this. I don’t know if this is helpful at all as I have not been in your position but maybe try and remember that mc is very hard but it is a very natural part of the process of conception - it’s the body’s way of making sure the baby you end up having can survive into adulthood. New technology allows us to know about pregnancy very early but the downside of that is that we then know of every time a pregnancy is lost.

I am sure that you will end up pregnant again and the love that is seeing you through now will help you to have a strong relationship and be excellent parents in the future. As awful and hard as this is it may end up being part of your journey but it won’t be all of it. You are handling it really well and being so brave. Best of luck to you and your spouse and sincere apologies if this is not helpful x