no fetal pole, post-ivf u/s 6 wks 2 days

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Hi -- I'm an oldster trying to conceive (42), 2nd attempt at IVF with Shady Grove. I was thrilled to get a positive pregnancy test a couple of weeks ago - nice healthy, steadily increaing betas. I just went in for my first ultrasound today at 6 weeks 2 days gestational age (egg retrieval 4 weeks, 2 days ago). The doctor was able to identify the gestational sac, but no fetal pole and no heartbeat. He said the sac was measuring at 5 and 1/2 weeks, which (of course) could mean arrested development and a miscarriage soon to follow. If others have been through something similar, I'd be really curious to know about your outcomes. This whole IVF process is very emotionally and physically fatiguing, and the uncertainty is pretty maddening. Any help/perspective would be much appreciated!

[Anonymous]

OMG - this is crazy but I am also an oldster (41) on my second attempt at IVF also at SG. I got my positive on 2/14 (egg retrieval on 1/27) - we are almost identical. I had my ultrasound (6 weeks 1 day gestational) last friday and they saw the gestational sac and the yolk(actually 2 - one smaller) but no fetal pole or heartbeat. I had no idea the time after getting a positive would be more stressful than the entire process. I am going thursday at 9 for another ultrasound and doctor was very negative that we were going to see anything. I have read a lot of similar stories to ours on the internet but dont want to get my hopes up either. what did doctor say in your case? Did he/she give you any timeframe for prognosis? As much as I want this baby, I can not imagine going through this roller coaster again.

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Wow, I can relate to everything you say about your experiences. I have been trying not to get too hopeful, either. I have tried to be very disciplined in reading the grim statistics for IVF success in women my age and to keep those foremost in mind. But, still, it's hard not to let one's hopes soar after a positive pregnancy test.

My doctor (Widra) gave me no encouragement one way or another today. I go back for another u/s in a week, so next Tuesday. He said he'd estimate 50-50 chance of good news when I go back next Tuesday, but I have to say he did not have an optimistic tone of voice. (I was left wondering if 50-50 was looking on the bright side.) He said to continue my medications but to call if anything changes. (Translation: call if miscarriage starts.)

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Anonymous - BTW, our egg retrievals were 3 days apart! I hope you get great news on Thursday. Please update!

[Anonymous]

As sad as I am that anyone has to go through this, it is nice to know that we are not alone. I will certainly update on thursday.
I am going to say prayers for both of us!

[Anonymous]

Ladies, 6 weeks is still early to see a heartbeat in many cases. Most doctors wait until 8-9 weeks to do an ultrasound not to upset the mother. So be optimistic. I am keeping my fingers crossed for both of you.

[Anonymous]

Perhaps you can post the same question in the Expectant Mom section since the majority of women who had successes with IVF have moved to it probably? They might be able to provide you with some positive stories.

[Anonymous]

I am 41 years old and conceived naturally after three failed cycles. I went in a few weeks ago and only the sac and yolk sac were seen. I went in about a week later and we saw a heartbeat. Now, my case is different because we determined that my dates were likely off based on a long cycle the previous month. However, to give you some encouragement, in my endless search of the internet I read that seeing a yolk sac is a good sign. An early miscarriage will often only show as an empty sac. This also happened to me about four years ago. The other thing is, if you have a tilted uterus, sometimes it is more difficult to get a good sono. I also have a tilted uterus. If you aren't spotting at all, try to remain positive! Good luck everyone!

[Anonymous]

It's still too early to know one way or another, but, yes, miscarriage is a possibility. My last pregnancy just ended after a fetal pole failed to develop. I'm under 40 and this was an IUI pregnancy, but I had a similar experience. I went for my first u/s at 6 weeks and there was only a yolk sack. Dr (not "mine") wasn't concerned because it was still early. (It's a long story as to why the u/s wasn't scheduled for a few days later.) Went in for another u/s at just past 7 weeks and at first there appeared to be no heartbeat and then the u/s tech thought she saw something, and there was something beating, but it was beating exactly the same as my heartbeat, which is generally a sign development has gone awry. After doing some reading and talking to friends, I decided to use misoprostol to start the miscarriage. I did have a successful pregnancy through IUI a few years ago, and I was pretty nervous through the first trimester. With this last pregnancy, I was more optimistic at the start but knew it wouldn't be fully "real" until we saw a heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

To the 03/01/2011 12:51 poster: Good luck today!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the 03/01/2011 12:51 poster: Good luck today!!

Sending both OP and PP tons of good growing baby thoughts!

[Anonymous]

You are amazing to have remembered. We actually saw the fetal pole and heartbeat today but it is about a week behind where it should be. With Ivf since we know exactly when conception took place, it is very unlikely that it will catch up to where it should be. The doctors at SG will not do anything though until they do not see a heartbeat even though the mostly likely is that it is not a viable pregnancy. We are basically praying for a miracle at this point because the Doctor pretty much said that is what it will take. when is your next appt?

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much for the update, though I'm so sorry to hear the news. I'm surprised that the prognosis is so grim, considering all the development that has occurred since the last ultrasound. Last time you had no fetal pole or heartbeat –right? Now you do, not even a whole week later. Did the doctor explain what the cause for concern was - is a week behind that bad? It's just dreadful not to get more definitive news after waiting for this second ultrasound! I really feel for you, still totally in limbo.

My next appointment is next Tuesday 3/8. I am not feeling very hopeful. At my 1st ultrasound, the gestational sac measured at 5 1/2 weeks (even though it should have been 6 weeks, 2 days). There was no visible yolk sac, fetal pole, anything - just a smallish empty looking sac.

[Anonymous]

I guess he was just trying to be as realistic as possible. It seems like it could catch up if it got to this point but he made it seem almost impossible. I only had the sac with a very small yolk the last time which was 6 days ago. They gave me such a grim prognosis even last week that he told me to have some wine and stop my meds. Now here I am with a heartbeat. I feel guilty saying it but I was so ready to have some closure to be able to accept this and be able to move on to my next step. We are of course going to talk to our doctor but are seriously considering donor eggs - I m struggling with idea but I also dont know if I could go through what I have gone through over the past 3 weeks either. Not to say I wouldnt miscarry with a donor egg but the chances are much better. Would you consider donor eggs?

I am saying many prayers for you on tuesday. I feel so awful that you are going through such stress - it is really hard after all we have done to get to this point.

[Anonymous]

Hi ladies - my thoughts are with you. Going thru a miscarriage is so emotionally tough - I feel for those who have gone thru it, esp several times. I had a similar situation my first time - although never saw a heartbeat. Devasting. My 2nd one was at 11 weeks - just shy of passing the first trimester. Going thru a miscarriage for a 2nd time (esp after detecting a heartbeat and making it this far along) was horrible. Worse than the first time - enough that I gave up on trying again. But time heals all wounds and even though I am still sad - going to try one more time. Defintely not getting my hopes up. The worse part (besides loss of life) is that the whole process takes so long and if you are older, like me, that is one thing we don't have much of! Best of luck to all!