Friday, October 21, 2011

Update to Ultrasound

Dan and I were talking last night and come to find out not only did he see her measuring the HB but he saw the numbers. I asked him what they were, which I am now wishing I hadn't. He said she measured twice - 70 and 72 bpm. I didn't believe he really saw what he said because that is so low and not good news. So I emailed my RE and she confirmed that yes, the HR was between 70 - 72bpm. I am devastated. She said it could be too early and we have to be cautiously optimistic which is what everyone keeps saying but everything I've read says it's not good news.

I am still trying to be positive but I don't feel very. Am I misinterpreting the info? Anyone have experience with this? I know a Heartbeat didn't mean I was out of the woods but I felt so much better before I knew the absolute number. In fact I feel downright out of hope right now as everything I've read today says a HR < 100 at this point is almost surely due to chromosomal errors.

18 comments:

Mrs. Misfits said...

I've googled this to death before every appointment and scan, and it depends on how far along you are whether it matters. It matters more at the next appointment. The embryo starts to beat at or near the mother's heartbeat and increases by 3.3 beats a day.

When I had the first (and only until #7) heartbeat one back at preggo #2, the FHR was about 60 and I was much further along (resulting in miscarriage). There is a higher risk with slower heartrate, but it's not a 100% certainty.

I know how devastating any indication things aren't going to work out can be. As of yesterday, it wasn't over, so I'm going to hold onto the hope that you have a perfectly fine, if not a little late bloomer.

bunny said...

Shit and fuck. I hate that this awful piece of information has been lying in wait for you. And that you can't seem to trust your RE to give you the straight information. I wish I had more info, but all I know about it is what Mrs. says above.

I hope that your RE is not just trying to protect you. I hope that she really is optimistic, or at least believes there's enough of a shot that you should not lose hope.

I think if you go googling, you will find good stories and bad. It's like the measuring behind thing. Plenty of times when it meant nothing, plenty of times when it was not good. Try not to drive yourself nuts with this. Lots of love.

Anonymous said...

hi there, i've found a lot of comfort in blogs like yours over the last few months, and felt compelled to share my experience. Several months ago I had an ultrasound at 6w1d, with a FHR of 86. My doctor warned me that if I started googling, I would find mostly sad stories, but that in her practical experience (at a high volume hospital in a big city), slower FHR at the beginning of the sixth week turned out fine about half the time. She had me come back in a week to check again, and told me very honestly that she wouldn't be surprised if we miscarried, but that she also wouldn't be surprised if the heart rate "caught up" and everything turned out fine. She also reminded me that it's only very recently that doctors are doing ultrasounds so soon, and so there's still a lot of uncertainty/unknowns about early development. I ultimately miscarried, but my doctor said she has lots of patients who don't and who go on to deliver perfectly healthy babies, despite the slow start.

I'll be hoping your little one catches up and get his/her heart beating fast in the next few days.

JJ said...

Thinking of you Jennifer and praying that your baby continues to be a miracle!

linda said...

One day at a time...praying that this is just real early and that it will rise to where it should be!!

Hugs

Augusta said...

Keeping you in my thoughts, Jennifer. It is so shitty to have any indication that things may not be 100% right, but it sounds from the comments and from what your RE has said that the jury is still out. All you can do is wait. PLEASE try not to drive yourself crazy in the mean time. I hope you can find some good distractions to take your mind off of things while you wait.

lady pumpkin said...

Stopping by from Bunny's house. Just wanted to send some love and hope that this isn't the end of the road. It sounds as though it's more than your turn for a take-home baby. Saying a little prayer for you. xoxo

Andie said...

I came over from Bunny's. (Although I have read a few of your posts in the past). I've never made it that far so I have no advice, but I think Misfits is probably right. I just wanted to say that I know it is a scary time and we're all thinking of you and sending lots of positive vibes.

Oak said...

Here from Bunny's blog to let you know that you have some fingers and toes crossed up in the midwestern tundra and that if hoping really hard does any good, I'm trying.

Much love to you as you traverse your next few days.

xoxo

hope4joy said...

Also here from Bunny's blog. I am wishing you the absolute best outcome. Hoping for nothing but good news, you certainly deserve this.

Mara said...

Hey Jennifer, I'm here from bunny too. I did have something similar happen with my son. I had an ultrasound with him in the ER (spotting) at the FHR was 63. Two days later it was 113 or 117. My later dating ultrasounds put me at 5w6d at that first ultrasound, though I suspected it was a few days earlier. I hope this helps!

Mara said...

I think Lesley from the Ordinary Adventure had a similar first ultrasound, too? Good luck! Wishing so much for you.

Roccie said...

Hello scared Momma. I dont have any experience to share with you but man alive I can understand your terror and worry. I hope you are plugging along day by day. My scary things went away and I am eager to read that yours do as well.

Kelly said...

In my early pregnancies, I searched and searched for info about this. A heartbeat is good. The number? It depends on how far along you are.

Keeping everything crossed for you. I am hoping beyond hope that things work out. I'm also praying for you to have strength to get through this in between/not knowing hell.

Jem said...

I don't have any wisdom to share on this subject. Just sending you good juju over the internets.

AmyG said...

No insight to offer either; just here wishing you the best.

Heather said...

Sending love and support. I am also in an early pregnancy and going to hear the heartbeat on Thursday... I don't know much either. I guess all we can do is take it one day at a time and hope for the best.

Adele said...

I am hoping hard that all is well, and that your next post brings very, very good news. I'm with Misfit...the heartbeat starts somewhere, and it starts low. And so - if you're catching it at the beginning, when it starts to beat - there is every possibility that it's a timing thing.

(I'm hoping very, very much that it is so. )