WOMENS-HEALTH Messages for February, 1998: no more fetal heartbeat -- wait or get a D & C?

no more fetal heartbeat -- wait or get a D & C?

From: Lisa (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Fri, 27 Feb 1998 23:49:30 -0600 (CST)

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I have very irregular periods but believe I conceived from January 16 - 20 based on having had unprotected sex at that time. I had a positive home (urine) pregnancy test on February 4. An abdominal ultrasound showed an intrauterine pregnancy (2mm) on February 13 and the Dr. showed me a heartbeat on the screen.

My Obgyn returned from leave and I went to see her for the first time on February 27. She was not satisfied with the ultrasound I brought her from the other Dr. saying that it looked as if he was measuring a yolk sac rather than a fetus and since my periods are very irregular she wanted another ultrasound to get a better estimated due date. Two doctors performed consecutive ultrasounds vaginally, measured the fetus as 4 mm but neither could find a heartbeat. My OBGYN said while it was bad news, it was possible that the other DR. had mistaken my own blood vessel for a fetal heartbeat and that we should hope that it is just a very early pregnancy and I should do nothing for a week, then come in for another ultrasound.

Also on the 27th I called the other Dr. and asked him if he was sure he saw a heartbeat, he said yes and asked me to come in again that afternoon. He did another ultrasound, found no heartbeat and measured the fetus at 5mm. He said that I had lost the pregnancy for sure (it had not grown as much as it should have during the two weeks) and should not postpone doing a D & C.

I am depressed and miserable. I don't want to mistakenly kill a viable embryo, but I don't wan't to lay around all week crying and waiting either. Given the dates of my positive test (Feb 4) and the sizes measured, it is possible that this is a very early pregnancy, or am I holding on for further disappointment?

Next message: Iris: "Is this normal?"
Previous message: Tracy: "Adhesions"
Next in thread: Suzanne: "Re: no more fetal heartbeat -- wait or get a D & C?"
Maybe reply: Suzanne: "Re: no more fetal heartbeat -- wait or get a D & C?"

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