I feel like this pregnancy was doomed from the start. I’ve got an ultrasound scheduled for this Friday but the waiting is killing me. I’ve been scouring the internet for answers (I know, not a good idea) and at this point, I’m just looking for some opinions. Here are the details:
HCG levels started out low and doubling times went from 36-72-106 hours. Ultrasound at 6w 4 days showed a sac measuring a week behind. Ultrasound at 8 weeks showed very faint cardiac activity and measured 2 weeks behind. I’m trying very hard not to get my hopes up but is there any hope? My doctor remains very cautiously optimistic and is hoping the measurements were off. I’m very regular and quite sure of the date of my LMP.
Any advice or personal experiences would be most welcome.
No advice to give except try not to worry too much. I know that’s hard (I’m a father and one of our kids was a difficult pregnancy), but don’t just sit there and let your mind tie itself into knots with worst-case-scenarios. That doesn’t help anyone.
Did you know, going in, that it was going to be a risky pregnancy? Do you and the father have a history of difficulties?
Cautiously optimistic is good. You know your LMP, but do you know your last date of ovulation, or your regular schedule of ovulation? Failing that, do you know how long your cycle generally is, and has it been regular for your last 6 cycles? If you don’t know any of that, then all you and they can do is guess at the date of conception. The best technology in the world can only work off of averages, and for every pregnancy right in the middle of the chart, there’s one way at one end and one way at the other.
As **OneCentStamp **says, the best thing you can do right now is try to relax. Yeah, I know hearing that is about as useful as a sieve for a rainhat. But do what you can to distract yourself - keep busy.
And, generally speaking, I don’t recommend that you tell family and friends about a pregnancy until 14 weeks or so. It just helps avoid a whole slew of difficult discussions if the pregnancy doesn’t go to term. (OTOH, I waited until 14 weeks and delivered at 23, so my family had only 2 months to get used to the idea I was having a baby before I had a baby! That was weird.)
Who did your scans? Are you confident in their ability?
The measurements at this early stage are operator dependent and also depend a lot on the angle of the view. A couple of degrees here or there can make a big difference.
If it is at all reassuring, when a foetal heart has been seen on scan the take home baby rate is 90%.
All you can do is wait, and that is hard, knowing that you have no control over the situation. The only way to turn that into a positive is to realise that whatever will be will be. What you can do is to stay calm and as relaxed as possible while you wait to find out. If you’re an OK-with-prayer person, I’ll pray for you.
OneCent, we have a 4 year old daughter and my pregnancy with her was uncomplicated. I’ve never been through anything like this before and it really makes me feel for all the women out there who suffer miscarriages and the associated doubt.
Whynot, I have a very regular 28-29 day cycle although I have not been charting ovulation so I can’t be positive when I ovulated. I haven’t told anyone about the pregnancy except for my DH and my mother (for support).
Irishgirl, I welcome prayers and good wishes. Thanks.
Ok, so with a 28-29 day cycle, you’re probably ovulating around day 14, but it could be as late as day 19 or 20, so it’s possible that you’re not as far along as everyone thinks you are by a whole week. That’s hopeful, and probably the reason for “cautiously optimistic”. And as **irishgirl **says, seeing the heartbeat is a great sign.
The Miracle Baby and I will light a candle for you and yours tonight. Blessings.
