First Sonogram

[Anonymous]

Following IVF, we're scheduled for the first sonogram next week at 5w4d. What can we expect to see? Too early for a heartbeat?

[Anonymous]

5w4d is pretty early. You may not see a heartbeat. I'm actually surprised its scheduled for so early (unless you are at risk of an ectopic). Hope you at least see that the embryo is safely in the right place.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. That may be why. I had an ectopic previously. The risks are lower with IVF, but not zero.

[Anonymous]

Actually, risks are higher for ectopic with IVF cycles. I had an ectopic from a prior IVF cycle and was surprised to learn it is more common with IVF than a natural cycle, but it is still very, very minimal risk. Both of my subsequent pregnancies included earlier u/s to rule out ectopic and neither was.

[Anonymous]

Unlikely to see a heartbeat that early. You should see it by the 7 wk mark, and sometimes at 6w+ a few days. But at 5w4d you should see the gestational sac and fetal pole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, risks are higher for ectopic with IVF cycles. I had an ectopic from a prior IVF cycle and was surprised to learn it is more common with IVF than a natural cycle, but it is still very, very minimal risk. Both of my subsequent pregnancies included earlier u/s to rule out ectopic and neither was.

Yikes!! Given that I had a prior ectopic (non-IVF), I was told there was a 15% chance of another one with a natural cycle and 1% chance with IVF, but I may be remembering wrong. Either way, good reason to do an early sono next week, even if it's too early for a heartbeat!

[Anonymous]

Hope everything looks good at your sono!!! I had one at 5w1d, saw the sac in right place. Two weeks later came back and saw a strong heartbeat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Actually, risks are higher for ectopic with IVF cycles. I had an ectopic from a prior IVF cycle and was surprised to learn it is more common with IVF than a natural cycle, but it is still very, very minimal risk. Both of my subsequent pregnancies included earlier u/s to rule out ectopic and neither was.

Yikes!! Given that I had a prior ectopic (non-IVF), I was told there was a 15% chance of another one with a natural cycle and 1% chance with IVF, but I may be remembering wrong. Either way, good reason to do an early sono next week, even if it's too early for a heartbeat!

Yes, way too early for a heartbeat. It's merely to check placement. And I would guess you have your statistics reversed, because IVF has MUCH higher rates of ectopic (oddly).

[Anonymous]

Don't freak out if you don't see a fetal pole, though. Focus on just seeing a good placement. The pole may take into the 6th week to show.

[Anonymous]

I'm trying to remember. I had my first US at five weeks 6 days and I'm almost positive that we saw a fetal pole and heartbeat. I think it was kind of early though.

[Anonymous]

Doc is probably looking to rule out ectopic and to see how many sacs there are....singleton, twins, or more. I couldn't see much when I had my US at 5.5 wks.