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Family Medicine  (Expert Forum)
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7 weeks pregnant and no heartbeat
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin, M.D. Boston - MA
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MedHelp Member's Question

7 weeks pregnant and no heartbeat

by sheevaun, Jan 18, 2004 12:00AM
I am 8 weeks from lmp but am told I'm closer to 7. Had my first u/s and no hearbeat. Unlike my last pregnancy which ended with a blighted ovum back in sep, they saw a yolk sac and embreyo which measured 1/2cm. They checked my hcg level which came back at 21,000 from 1262 17 days prior. I am on pregesteron because of an initial count of 15.5. I still have nausea, fatigue and very sore breasts. I am to return for u/s in a week and am scared to death but my doc has hope.  Did the fetus die ealier?  Do all pregnancies grow at the same rate?  Is there much of a chance they will find a hb on thur?  I'm approaching 40 and wonder if maybe I waited too long.  I am a full time stepmom and love them very much but want a child of my own.



Thanks and my heart and prayers go out to all of you who have gone through pregnancy loss.



Sheevaun
Doctor's Answer

by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 21, 2004 12:00AM
Typically the fetal heartbeat can be seen after 6 weeks during a fetal ultrasound.  This is not a set number and there is variation between patients.  Statistics show that a fetal heart rate below 85bpm between 6 and 8 weeks markedly increases the risk of spontaneous abortion, so there is a possibility that the fetus may have aborted.  



All pregnancies do not grow at the same rate - it is possible that a heartbeat may be found during your next appointment.  In one study, the first trimester survival rate was 62 percent among 531 embryos with slow early fetal heart rates (less than 100 bpm at less than 6.2 weeks, less than 120 bpm at 6.3 to 7.0 weeks).



Followup with your personal physician is essential.



This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.



Thanks,

Kevin, M.D.



Bibliography:

Al-Fozan.  Spontaneous abortion.  UptoDate, 2004.

Member Comments (5)

by MoodyMommy, Jan 22, 2004 12:00AM
I had a similar experience. I am currently almost 16 weeks pregnant. When I first found out I was pregnant and went in for my initial blood workup I too was told my Pro. levels were low. I went in for an ultrasound and while they found a heartbeat it was a puny 76. I was told I was losing the baby and to wait it out even though there was "a chance" that everything would be okay. Cramping and bleeding during this time made it seem like the Dr was right. My cramping increased within a week and when I called they said oh, you're probably just starting to lose the baby. You can wait for it to occur naturally or come on in and we'll check it out for sure. Well, I checked it out for sure and praise God I did - the heartbeat was normal and baby was developing on schedule now!

I am now in my 16th week - and I am in a high risk pegnancy because of lots of other factors . But don't lose hope yet - the fact was they thought I was further along than I really was, and it was proven by later ultrasounds. Perhaps you are earlier than they are thinking and it really isn't possible to pick up the heartbeat yet? Or perhaps your child will be one of the slow beaters whose heart starts beating a little later and is still completely fine.

Whatever happens I pray that God's strength will get you through the waiting and uncertainty.

In Him,

moodymommy

by Tamzincaryl, Feb 29, 2004 12:00AM
Hi. I too had a first pregnancy that was a blighted ovum followed by a scan at my second pregnancy that showed no heartbeat at around the same time.  It was a crushing wait for the follow-up scan which unfortunately, despite me hearing of plenty other stories (inc my husbands work mate) of repeat scans showing a hb, showed that the baby had died previously.  A d+c later, another 3 months wait, 2 months trying and I was pregnant again, only to go through exactly the same process and lose the baby early, only to find out at the scan.

The good news for me was that my fourth pregnancy, depite a scare with bleeding and then not enough amniotic fluid, did work out fine and my gorgeous daughter was 3 last week.

It's always a worry, but it sometimes works out fine...and I am now 6 weeks pregnant again and waiting for an early scan to see how this one is going, so fingers crossed for me and for you. God bless

by KimZ, Mar 12, 2004 12:00AM
Hi,

I am going in for my first U/S on Monday. I am not sure what to expect? One question I had was my doctor has me taking 200ML of Progestrone every evening. My levels droped a little and then went back up again. My only concern is on the bottle for the Progestrone it says do not take if pregnant. I just found it strange it was prescibed knowing I was pregnant? Any help would be great!

Thanks,

Kim Z.

by kyili, Mar 18, 2004 12:00AM
To: Question for Tamzincaryl
Hi!Tamzincaryl, I have had three pregnancy loss so far. Two of them had the same problem like yours. There was no heartbeat under the U/S at 8 weeks. They ended up with D&C. I am encouraged by your story that you had a successful birth at 4th try.  I am going through a lot of tests (immunological and other). So far, everything is normal. My husband also had various tests done and everything is normal too.  What kind of tests did you have to determine what was the cause of your first three undeveloped embryos?  What kind of treatment did you receive?  What fertility docotors did you see?  Thanks a lot for your help!  I am very very frustrated and almost lost hope. Anyone who has experienced this and going through some treatment, please shed some lights. Thanks and God Bless all the moms,moms to be and moms wanna be!

by bmom, Jun 10, 2004 12:00AM
Went to the doctor today and am suppose to be 10 1/2 weeks.  We did not hear the heartbeat and I am to go back in 2 weeks.  Is this a concern or is it normal to not hear the heartbeat?  He also indicated my uterus did not feel as if it were at a 10 1/2 week size.  Please ease my mind or prepare me for the worst.

by nicmigcas, Jul 13, 2004 12:00AM
I am pregnant with my second child after 2 yrs of trying.  I visited my obgyn for and early US (8wks) and my husband and I disappointed to find that there was no heartbeat.  My doctor has reassured me that this is not completely abnormal and is very confident that everything will turn out to be just fine.  I had my blood drawn today and will again in two days to check my levels.  This will be followed up by another US three days from today.  I have one of the best doctors in town who has always been straight forward with me.  1yr ago I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 22 and feared that I would never be able to have another child.  I consider this a great blessing and would advise that nobody should ever give up hope.  I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and that this baby that I have waited 2yrs for will be born just as beautiful and healthy as my son.  God bless all of you who are having to go through this, but remember that there are a lot a people that are willing to give you all of the support you need.

by nicmigcas, Jul 13, 2004 12:00AM
I am pregnant with my second child after 2 yrs of trying.  I visited my obgyn for and early US (8wks) and my husband and I disappointed to find that there was no heartbeat.  My doctor has reassured me that this is not completely abnormal and is very confident that everything will turn out to be just fine.  I had my blood drawn today and will again in two days to check my levels.  This will be followed up by another US three days from today.  I have one of the best doctors in town who has always been straight forward with me.  1yr ago I was diagnosed with cervical cancer at the age of 22 and feared that I would never be able to have another child.  I consider this a great blessing and would advise that nobody should ever give up hope.  I'm a firm believer that everything happens for a reason and that this baby that I have waited 2yrs for will be born just as beautiful and healthy as my son.  God bless all of you who are having to go through this, but remember that there are a lot a people that are willing to give you all of the support you need.

by SteveKumar, Jul 20, 2004 12:00AM
Hi,



This is Kumar from India, I have a small concern regarding the baby's heart beat ,now my wife is 6 1/2 weeks pregnant ,just I got to know that the babys heart beat is showing 100 lbs per min,should I be worried about this ,could anyone can tell what could be the baby's status.



Thanks in advance.



by kymskyy, Jul 28, 2004 12:00AM
I need some advice. I am pregnant and based on when my last period was I should be about 10 weeks. I have a t/v ultrs sound 4 weeks ago, should have been 6 weeks, and they said I was 4 weeks. So, today I went in and had another t/v ultra sound and it showed I was 6 weeks, should be 8. When they did the ultra sound they said the heart rate was low, 68 bpm. I have had 2 m/c in the last 9 months none of whcih ever made it far enough to see a heart rate. The last one never grew and I had to have a d/c at the hospital. Anyway, I am all upset thinking that I again am going to miscarry.... has anyone had this happen before with the low heart rate and can help me understand and/or prepare myself for another lose......

Please help