#TerminationOfPregnancy #FetalHeartbeat #EarlyPregnancyLoss
🤰 Have you recently been told to terminate your 5-week pregnancy due to the lack of a heartbeat on the fetal pole? This can be a confusing and emotional time for any woman, especially when there are conflicting opinions from healthcare providers. Let’s delve into this delicate topic and provide you with some insights that may help you navigate this situation with more clarity and confidence.
## Understanding the Situation
When it comes to early pregnancy, it’s essential to understand that the presence or absence of a heartbeat on the fetal pole can be a significant indication of the viability of the pregnancy. Here are some key points to consider:
1. **What is the fetal pole?**
– The fetal pole is the first visible sign of a developing embryo on ultrasound.
2. **What does the lack of a heartbeat mean?**
– In early pregnancy, a heartbeat may not always be detectable, especially in the first few weeks.
3. **Consulting with Healthcare Providers**
– It’s crucial to seek a second opinion and gather more information before making any decisions about terminating the pregnancy.
## Seeking a Second Opinion
In situations like the one you are facing, it’s essential to seek a second opinion to ensure that all aspects of your pregnancy are thoroughly evaluated before making any decisions. Here are some steps you can take:
1. **Consult with a Specialist**
– Consider seeking a consultation with a reproductive endocrinologist or a maternal-fetal medicine specialist who has expertise in handling complex pregnancies.
2. **Requesting Additional Testing**
– Ask for further diagnostic tests, such as repeat ultrasounds or bloodwork, to monitor the progress of the pregnancy more closely.
3. **Exploring Options**
– Discuss all available options with your healthcare provider, including the possibility of waiting for a few more weeks to reassess the situation before considering termination.
## Coping with Emotional Distress
Dealing with the uncertainty surrounding the viability of a pregnancy can be emotionally challenging. Here are some tips to help you cope during this time:
1. **Seeking Support**
– Reach out to friends, family members, or support groups who can provide emotional support and guidance.
2. **Educating Yourself**
– Educate yourself about the various outcomes and possibilities in early pregnancy loss, so you can make informed decisions.
3. **Taking Care of Yourself**
– Practice self-care activities such as mindfulness, relaxation techniques, and gentle exercise to help reduce stress and anxiety.
## Moving Forward
As you navigate through this difficult time, remember that your well-being and emotional health are essential. Take the time to process the information you have received and make decisions that feel right for you.
If you are still feeling unsure or overwhelmed, consider seeking counseling or therapy to help you work through your emotions and clarify your thoughts.
In conclusion, the decision to terminate a pregnancy is deeply personal and should be made with careful consideration and support. Remember that you are not alone in this journey, and there are resources and healthcare professionals available to guide you through this challenging time. Stay informed, seek reassurance, and trust your instincts as you move forward on your path towards clarity and resolution.
Disregard what she said and follow up with your OB. It’s very early for a heartbeat to be detected especially if it wasn’t a transvaginal ultrasound and even then 5 weeks is reaaaallly pushing it.
In order to diagnose pregnancy failure, the fetal pole has to be at least 7mm with no heartbeat
Or
It has been 14 days since first scan with gestational sac and there is no FP with heart beat
Or
It has been 11 days since scan with gestational sac and yolk sac and there is no fp with heartbeat
From the information you have provided the ER doctor is incorrect and your ob is correct. I would try to be positive until your next appt 🙂
Source: ACOG practice bulletin 200: early pregnancy loss
https://preview.redd.it/8zflbxdqu0oc1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=6a4942c3b62243f5cdcd0bed49fd95f712fed6dd
Thank you so much everyone for the help .
I actually got over 4 calls from the hospital from different people with up and down news and surprisingly enough no one knew what the other told me . Even when I went back to the er the second time after they called me and told me go back immediately , the doctor said “why are you here again”. My ob suggested it was too much confusion with that ER and to avoid going back since it was only meant to be for one uti and it somehow turned into pregnancy care and multiple visits and phone calls.
After ER doc called me , the nurse called me to “congratulate” me . Which tossed my emotions up in the air after just hearing about nonviable pregnancy.
_Usual disclaimer: no one can provide specific medical advice for a person or condition without an in-person interview and physical examination, and a review of the available medical records and recent and past testing. This comment is for general information purposes only, and not intended to provide medical advice. No physician-patient relationship is implied or established._
Emergency physician: imaging frequently cannot detect heartbeat at an early age, this does not imply a nonviable pregnancy this early.
The fact that there are appropriate changes between US tests and rising pregnancy hormone levels is quite a good sign. Follow up with an obstetrician, but surely they will recommend watching to see what happens
Many early pregnancies end in miscarriage, but there is no clear evidence of one here! Congratulations on your pregnancy, and we are all keeping our fingers crossed for you!
An ER is not meant for follow up care in this situation so I’m not really sure why they told you go back? I’m so sorry for the confusion and subsequent emotional turmoil, it’s a lot to take in. 100% do not make any decisions until you get back in with your OB as this is their specialty and will give you the best advice.