1st US - Yolk sac but embryo/fetal pole very small

Bubbles13 · Post by **Bubbles13** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:29 pm

Hi,
I went for my 1st US at 6 weeks 4 days today. We are pretty devastated as doc told and showed us there was a yolk sac but she really had to squint to see the very small fetal pole that was a the edge and therefore no HB could be measured. Doc said it looked like the embryo/fetal pole was is behind at about a 5 & 1/2 week stage (even though I'm at 6weeks/4days) and she hopes to see a larger fetal pole at this point. She said it wasn't abnormal but that she would worry if when they repeated the US next week in 7 days did not see the normal growth.

Please advise...is this a lost cause and should we prepare ourselves for the worst? Has anyone else gone through this and if so what was your outcome? I'm not quite sure how to get through the next 7 days!

shelbyrn0214 · Post by **shelbyrn0214** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 7:58 pm

I understand how you feel. I, too, had my first u/s and the results were not what we expected. They wanted to do a repeat in 7 days and it turned out that I had a blighted ovum. it was very hard over that week to think about anything else but that. Please, just stay positive and don't give up over these next 7 days. Please understand that every person is different and your outcome will hopefully be one of joy and happiness. Please let us know how things turn out and I will be checking the board if I can help in any way.

lynniecat · Post by **lynniecat** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:37 pm

One week can really make a difference. DON'T give up hope and start eating poorly, drinking etc., not that you would, but I have a tendency to think like that.

It was there right? Even if it was small. What was the size of the gestational sac? They could not really measure my fetal pole at 6.5 weeks, but we did see a heartbeat. It impart depends on the equipment. Remember, most women don't have ultrasounds this early and I think its the reason we all stress so much. I think the time between U/S's was seriously worse than the two week wait. Sounds crazy, but its true!

Good luck and try to focus on other stuff...

Bubbles13 · Post by **Bubbles13** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 10:52 pm

lynniecat,
I wish I had read up on what I was going to be seeing(or not seeing) prior to my 1st US today so I would've been better informed and asked the RE more questions.

RE said saw the gest sac, yolk sac exactly as she would have hoped, but she looked for a while and then said oh that looks like it may be the fetal pole right by the edge of the sac(it was v. tiny and v. hard to see).

She said the placement of the pregnancy was just right, but the fetal pole was definitely smaller than she likes to see at this stage and that she would remain cautiously optimistic(but the look she had didnt seem optimistic). She said if she sees the fetal pole at the size she would've hoped today next Thurs, she will hopefully be able to measure the HB. How do they actually see/hear the HB? Do you actually see it on the screen?

Sorry if I'm repeating myself...I've been going crazy reading and crying all day and I'm not sure how I'm going to get through this and start all over again!

lynniecat · Post by **lynniecat** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:44 am

You see it flashing on the screen, light a little white light. I read somewhere that the fetal pole should be 1 mm for everyday past 6 weeks so for you that is 5 mm. And the accuracy of these machines is like +/- 3 mm so even if it was itsy bitsy teeny weeny, its so early that its hard to judge anything. My doctor was happy to see it and was happy the gestational sac looked the right size (that can also vary a lot).

I think you won't really know anything till next week. I have been through these early ultrasounds with two BFPs and they just plain suck. Then later when things are bigger and looked normal, you feel silly. But of course we are going to go to the early ultrasounds even if we wind up stressed out of our minds. I seriously spent all day researching this stuff and drove myself crazy. I would feel sick to stomach literally as I waited in the exam room for the doctor. So try your best to not stress. You will almost definitely have your answer next week. At that point, your little fetal pole will be obvious and you will see the heartbeat.

I feel relieved that your gest sac and yolk sac looked correct, because they appear first and since they are normal, there is a reasonable chance your fetal pole will look fine next week. Easy for me to say right! I know, its really horrible waiting! I am sending grow vibes your way!!!

Cocoa · Post by **Cocoa** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:16 pm

Bubbles...

I totally agree with lynniecat...you HAVE a sac and fetal pole and that's GREAT news - it sounds to me you are week behind but you have been a week behind since your first beta have you not? I really think this was a late implanter. I am looking forward to hearing about a HB next week (yes, its like a flashing white dot in a black and white picture...)

xxxCocoa

Bubbles13 · Post by **Bubbles13** » Fri Jun 26, 2009 3:47 pm

I reeeeally hope you all are right. DH reminded me last night how I kept saying last week that even if 1st US was a bust, I will be happy that we got this far since it was our 1st BFP in 4 cycles.

Cocoa, I guess I was sort of a bit behind since my 8dp5dt beta was only 6. But...we asked the Dr. that if it was possible this was to do w/ the late implantation, and she said no, we call it 6wk 4days gestational period since it is just that. I just wish she would've told me if they are only bringing me back as a formality next week. I hate being stuck in this limbo!

Thanks again for all the support and encouragement.

hopinginpa · Post by **hopinginpa** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 1:16 am

Bubbles13-it looks like we are in the same boat. I had my 6 week U/S today and the MD could see a flutter which he thinks was HB but wasn't sure. He thought he saw yolk sack but then when he zoomed in, he said it may be abnormal. My beta and progesterone were fine today. I got back on Wednesday and hoping for some good news.
When is your next U/S?

lynniecat · Post by **lynniecat** » Sat Jun 27, 2009 2:36 am

They are most definitely not bring you back as a formality. Some women don't even see a fetal pole at this point, so you have one. Its so little at this point that they can't really give you anything accurate yet. I kind of wish she had not even said it was small since its just so early. I think if it was gonna be an issue, your gestation sac would be smaller....

I bet you come back with great news after the next ultrasound, but I would be thinking just like you, who am I kidding. Its SO easy to be objective when its not you. I really think you are over worrying, but its so natural for us IVFers or anyone really!

Bubbles13 · Post by **Bubbles13** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:41 pm

hopinginpa,
Hi, after reaching the end of whats normal (and not) to see in the 1st US, I have a great feeling about your case. Seeing a HB at 6 weeks from what I've read is a great sign that things will progress well, as it sounds like if something is abnormal w/ the sac, the fetal pole/HB is usually delayed. I know though I am not one to preach someone to worry less, but just thought this may help calm your nerves a bit.

lynniecat,
I think waiting is the worst part of it all. And now I'm already stressing about how I am to take time off from work for another US and then a possible D&C. I still look at least getting a BFP as a positive sign but hate that our lives get stuck in limbo while we wait and wait...

How've you been feeling? When are you due btw?

Bubbles13 · Post by **Bubbles13** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 2:49 pm

hopinginpa, oh btw, forgot to mention in my reply that my next US is next Thurs afternoon. How about yours?

hopinginpa · Post by **hopinginpa** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:27 pm

Bubbles- I am praying for us both. My U/S is Wednesday. I didn't want to wait any longer than that!

lynniecat · Post by **lynniecat** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 5:50 am

Hopinginpa and bubbles, good luck tomorrow and thursday. I will be watching for updates and hope to see good news!

hopinginpa · Post by **hopinginpa** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 1:29 pm

Well had my U/S today and saw and heard hb. HB was 118. The doctor was concerned that the gestational sac looked abnormal in shape, it wasn't as round as it should be. I am measuring 6w 1d and I am 6w5d today. Should I be worried?

Bubbles13 · Post by **Bubbles13** » Wed Jul 01, 2009 10:14 pm

hopinginpa,
Great news about the HB...from what I've read thats a good #! This is the 1st time I've heard about the sac shape. I think some docs just like to be very cautiously optimistic. From what I've read and researched, the abnormality in sacs was usually discussed about the yolk sac and not the gestational sac. Enjoy the good news about the HB...like many have advised us, there is nothing we can do to control the outcome, and IMO your news sounds very optimistic.

I'm not feeling that great about mine tomorrow, as in the past week, I feel like I've lost the tinge of nausea that I had been feeling and my boobs almost seem to be getting smaller. So sad and trying to prepare for the worst tomorrow. Spoke to doc and told her my concerns and she mentioned that the fact that we did get pregnant on this FET cycle makes my prognosis much better after 3 previous IVF BFN's...so just holding out hope for the next round now. She said we could start the next cycle after 1 month.

1st US - Yolk sac but embryo/fetal pole very small

1st US - Yolk sac but embryo/fetal pole very small

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