Slow fetal growth and no heart beat detected at 6 weeks 5 days! HELP?

Question

I had a first ultrasound due to cramping early in my pregnancy and my sac, which was visible, measured 5 weeks. I got an ultrasound 2 weeks later and there was a yolk sac and fetal pole that had developed but it the baby measured 6 weeks 5 days instead of 7 weeks. I was a few days behind in growth, I think about 4. And they tried looking for a heart beat but couldn't find one. . Is that bad?

I have my next ultrasound today. I'm scared. I should be about 8 weeks. Have anyone not heard their baby's heart beat around 6 weeks but heard it a week or so later? Please. . anything would be appreciated. Thanks.

Answer 1

I know you are scared but I am sure you will hear the heartbeat at the 8 week appt, The good news is the baby had grown some. If something was wrong he/she would not be growing at all. Some babies grow faster than others. My daihter did not hear her babies heartbeat until 9 weeks on both pregnancies and she is a labor/delivery nurse and said that this is common. So, try and relax and I pray you have a healthy baby.

Answer 2

i had the same problem with my son with them not being able to pick up my sons heartbeart, they didnt hear his heart beat till i was 12 weeks along.

Answer 3

I heard mine at 8 weeks for the fist time!  So relax you will hear it today! Good Luck and Congrats! I wish you the best, and look forward to you saying you heard it!  

Answer 4

even when your 4 months pregnant sometimes the baby is positioned the wrong way and they cant pick up a heart beat. It is too early to worry to much, and your going to be doing a lot more worrying as the pregnancy progresses, even some bleeding here and there can be normal, just keep going in for your check ups and try to remain as stress free and calm as you can because stress is not good for the baby.

Answer 5

Measurements can be off depending on how good the tech is - remember how they put little markers on the crown and rump? If one of those is off just a little bit it can be off by days. I wouldn't freak yet. If baby has not grown by 8 weeks and there is no heartbeat generally things don't look good.

However, for an embryo to grow that much it's surprising no heartbeat was found. I wish you luck! Keep us posted.

Answer 6

it can be hard to hearbeat so early, you should hear it at your 8 wk!

congrats!!!!!!

Answer 7

Sometimes they just can't find the heartbeat because the baby is either turned the opposite way or hiding under an organ or ribs. It's scary, but it's happened to me and everything was fine.  

Answer 8

It is very hard to detect heart beats this early in the pregnancy. I didn't actually get to hear my son's heartbeat until I was almost 3 months pregnant. Sometimes when they are that tiny it can be very hard. I would just be optimistic and keep your chin up.  

Answer 9

I didn't hear my daughter's heartbeat until around 10-12 weeks pregnant.  Remember that your estimated "weeks" pregnant is based on your last menstrual period, not your actual date of conception, which can vary by a few days.  Measurements being off by a couple of days could be because you ovulate later in your cycle than the "average" woman and, as was mentioned earlier, could be just because of difficultly getting the most accurate measurement.  Good luck with your pregnancy.  I wish you the best!