Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Want To Know With 100% Certainty That This is a Blighted Ovum?

If you have been told you have a blighted ovum but are worried because you've heard or read about all the women being misdiagnosed with a blighted ovum, there is a way you can be certain before letting the doctor end your pregnancy*.

 If you are not yet nine weeks along and your gestational sac is growing but not yet over 25mm, there is still hope.


A few things to remember:
  • One ultrasound is NOT enough to diagnose a blighted ovum
  • Your ultrasounds need to be at least one week apart to really see if there is growth
  • Measuring one to two weeks behind is common in many viable pregnancies (it's the equipment, not you!). 
  • Generally, the gestational sac will measure more than 25mm by about nine weeks.  Diagnosing a blighted ovum earlier than nine weeks is just too early.
  • If there is a yolk sac this is NOT a blighted ovum.  Doesn't mean your pregnancy can't end in miscarriage but, generally, one week after the yolk sac is viewed, the baby will be seen if the pregnancy is viable.
I get quite a few women messaging me or posting just to ask if they might be misdiagnosed.  Because I am not always able to respond promptly, I can give you my answer before you even post:

If you are not yet nine weeks along and your gestational sac is growing but not yet over 25mm, there is still hope.


*if you do not feel your doctor is doing enough or you feel pressured to end your pregnancy, seeking a second opinion might be a good idea.

73 comments:

  1. Hi, I am in need of answers and I hope some of you can shed some light on this situation. My age 55, one pregnancy at 29, delivered by c section at age 30 25 years ago.
    LMP 10/1/15
    fertile time 10/6 to 10/10
    implanptation cramping and light spotting 10/15
    Pregnancy symptoms 10/19 hightened sense of smell, deep nausea, . took 2 urine dipstick positive, surgeon canceled procedure after looking at dipsticks
    then had hcg and other labs drawn on 10/22 hcg 4, doctor says i am not pregnant to forget about it refused to repeat hcg.
    November 5 symptoms cont along with dizziness and headaches, paid for tv ultrasound gestational sac measuring 5w6d, (actual 5w3d) in endometrium, no pole no yoke.
    Nov 16 different US facility for tv ultrasound, the tech was hateful she would not communicate during procedure she was rough and at the end she spun the computer around and said this is your fundus it empty the endometrium is empty and what ever this thing is in your cervix your doctor can decide, . 3 days later I receive the radiology report and it states there is a 6cm gestational sac in the endometrial canal, but for this age group intrauterine pregnancy not likely. no fetal pole no yoke, 7 weeks.
    was sent to US January 8 at 14 weeks, they are not able to locate the sac via TV US or limited( 60sec abdominal), liver, gall bladder , colon, liver and labs all fine, in addition I am vegan and my belly looks pregnant ago compares to images on google search. the original ultrasound was reviewed and it was determined it is a gestational sac. They are perplexed by my belly no bleeding, no spotting, no period and they have been regular until october 1/2015. so the father of the baby said go back to the first ultrasound place and pay and see what they see. did quick abd view nothing, she asked to do TV nothing, they also reviewed film again from nov 5 it a sac, , it has not come out. so i sit in my car the tech is beating on my window, they did not save the pictures would i mind doing it again, so back i went for my third TV US of the day, this time it took twice as long, she got airbubbles on the probe. jumped on a plane to see the father, He now calls me a liar and says I played him for a fool, and caused him 4 month of stress, he is furious that i did this to him, says there was never anything there and the empty sac is not a pregnancy, call him if there is a baby but I am just a liar and I played him, his family and his friends and he ask me to leave, so
    he dumped me at the airport never said good bye and left me there knowing there was no flight for at least 14 hours. I ended up spending 25 hours on the floor in the airport, I ate 6 dates 1 slice of bread, 40 oz of water lost 5 lbs, i am 145 at 5'7 and still have the baby pooch.
    The nausea is real seldom, sense of smell certain things still bad, lt breast substantially larger than right has been about 2 month,no bleeding, no discharge, no spotting, growning belly you can cup it slightly top and bottom. I feel full and feel some pressure at times from below, I have to urinate when not as much in bladder. I may also add that I was told I have quite a bit of a tilted/ retroverted uterus. A friend of the fathers with medical knowledge seems to think it is hiding in a fold of a prolapse and the tilt.
    Everybody has been so negative and the father said I wanted you to have an abortion because i was not happy when you told me but you decided you have it and you played me for a fool.
    I am at a loss on what to do this is a nightmare. and nobody can explain what happened to my gestational sac or why I look the way I do especially as a vegan. Not sure what the medical community has planned for me. It took me 34 hours to get home and the man that dumped me at the airport is not concerned with my well being.
    So what is going on with me? Hcg had to be at least 1100 to see the sac yet i was negative.
    Thank you for reading, I am devastated by it all and I was perfectly fine with having another child at this age but just about everybody ask me if I plan on keeping it.





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    1. I am so sorry you have been through so much. I really wish I could help and tell you what was happening. I think you need to find a really good doctor at this point. Hopefully they can explain all of this.

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  2. Hi Kay I am not sure if I am asking this in the right area but I had a vaginal ultrasound at 6 and 3 days and doctor found absolutely nothing anywhere despite doubling hcgs. Hcg on the day was 1350. I think I remember another doctor mentioning that my uterus was tilted but this was only ever realized after a physical exam not during ultrasound.
    Is there any hope that I have a baby somewhere? They are calling it a pregnancy of unknown location but doc said he was pretty sure it wasn't in my tubes. I have to wait two weeks and see him again and it's agonizing.
    I am fairly certain of dates as it was ivf
    Endometrial lining was 13mm I am 27 no fertility issues known, embryo was tested before transfer and was chromosomally normal. No bleeding or cramps

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    1. If the gestational sac is growing from week to week and not yet 25mm and there are no complications, this is just too early to diagnose. (((hugs)))

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  3. I had an ultrasound done at 6w0d and was able to see a gestational sac and yolk sac, but no fetal pole. I did have a decent sized SCH as well. The sonographer didn't seem optimistic with the outcome, but the dr suggested I come back a week later.

    I came back for a second transnational ultrasound at 7w1d according to lmp. Still was not able to see a fetal pole, but the gestational sac has grown. The yolk sac was referred to as an 'enlarged yolk sac' and Dr said this was not a viable pregnancy so we went over the options.

    I've had no signs of miscarriage, but I know that doesn't mean that it won't happen. The sonographer wasn't very informative while she was performing the ultrasound and she even had to use google to confirm she what she was seeing.

    My first instinct was to take the medicine to start the miscarriage, but I started having second thoughts. I decided to wait a while and if my body hasn't started the process on its own by Feb 10th then I'm going to schedule the D&C. I'm probably in denial, but if I haven't started showing signs by then I'm definitely going to ask for and other ultrasound before I schedule the surgery. I want to be hopeful, but I feel like it's just my emotions not wanting this pregnancy to be over.

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  4. I had an ultrasound done at 6w0d and was able to see a gestational sac and yolk sac, but no fetal pole. I did have a decent sized SCH as well. The sonographer didn't seem optimistic with the outcome, but the dr suggested I come back a week later.

    I came back for a second transnational ultrasound at 7w1d according to lmp. Still was not able to see a fetal pole, but the gestational sac has grown. The yolk sac was referred to as an 'enlarged yolk sac' and Dr said this was not a viable pregnancy so we went over the options.

    I've had no signs of miscarriage, but I know that doesn't mean that it won't happen. The sonographer wasn't very informative while she was performing the ultrasound and she even had to use google to confirm she what she was seeing.

    My first instinct was to take the medicine to start the miscarriage, but I started having second thoughts. I decided to wait a while and if my body hasn't started the process on its own by Feb 10th then I'm going to schedule the D&C. I'm probably in denial, but if I haven't started showing signs by then I'm definitely going to ask for and other ultrasound before I schedule the surgery. I want to be hopeful, but I feel like it's just my emotions not wanting this pregnancy to be over.

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    1. If the gestational sac is growing from week to week and not yet over 25mm, this is too early to diagnose. (((hugs)))

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    2. Hi kay im 8 weeks I had my ultrsound last thurs abd all she could see a gestational sac with a yolk sac the doc told me that she saw some little thing but its not normal cuz uts meaduting 5 weeks I had my lmp in novemver 29 she jumped to the conclusion that its not normal its a bad pregnancy and that I should end it asap no bloodwork or test was asked to do PLZ Tell me what I Should do😢😢

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    3. If there are no complications, you should have another one week out to see if there is growth. (((hugs)))

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  5. Hi Kay not sure if I'm in the right place but I have a question. I went for an ultrasound on 25th January and the lady doing it simply looked at me and said "there's no heartbeat, you've had a miscarriage". Very blunt!! The fetus was measuring 15mm and 7w6days as I saw on the paperwork and when I saw a nurse after she firstly said "I can't understand why you've miscarried after having two healthy pregnancies" and she gave me the option to have a D&C, tablet or let things happen naturally. I was in shock to say the least. so now, two weeks later, I have no symptoms, no signs of bleeding etc and in my heart of hearts, I think they are wrong as I feel pregnant still. How long does it usually take for symptoms to appear as I was told to do a preg test on 15th February and to ring them and let them know the result. Does a misdiagnosed missed miscarriage happen often?? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

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    1. Yikes. I am so sorry they are scaring you so early. Really, the only way to know is to keep those ultrasounds spaced out a week each time and wait until the sac measures more than 25mm. Of course, be seen right away if there are complications (((hugs)))

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    2. Hi Kay, done another pregnancy test today (three weeks after being told I'd had a missed miscarriage) and it came up a strong positive within 30 seconds. I rang the clinic up and explained that if still had no signs of bleeding or pain etc and the nurse said she wants me in on Wednesday 17th February to terminate the pregnancy. I asked for another scan for my own piece of mind but she point blank refused and said "oh no, that will take up to two weeks to 'fit' you in". Surely I have a right to another scan before going ahead with the termination?? Im so angry and don't know what to do :(

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  6. I think I'm 9 weeks today but last Friday went for an u/s and OB said there was a sac and fetal pole but no hb, she said measured at 6wks 2days. Hcg was 117k and progesterone 17. She said we need to do another u/s in 5 days so I did one yesterday and ob's nurse called today to say when the ob read the u/s she still sees everything the same as last week so on hb and no growth. She thinks it's pretty hopeless but I was very clear I'm not doing anything to end the pregnancy. She agreed to do more bloodwork today. I'll get results tomorrow. I know you are saying there is still hope until 9 weeks, but I'm pretty sure I'm 9 weeks today....any hope? (Yes I have preg symptoms and no bleeding, but my morning sickness has been quite mild compared with my 4 pregnancies that ended w healthy babies---w those it was unrelenting nausea and vomiting frequently. So the lack of the intensity makes me extra nervous)
    Thanks for any insights. (Trying to stay optimistic but also preparing myself emotionally for a loss---this would be my 3rd loss)

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    1. I am so sorry you are going through this scare. There really should be some growth. If there are no complications, another ultrasound should give you your answer. The hCG levels won't really tell you anything because they can go up or down and be normal (((hugs)))

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    2. Any idea how long before my body realizes the loss (if in fact it is a loss)?

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    3. If there is indeed a blighted and it doesn't resolve before ten weeks, often a D&C is necessary. (((hugs)))

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    4. Well it wouldn't be blighted right because they were able to measure a crown to rump length....or am I wrong in my understanding of a blighted ovum?

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    5. You are correct. I am sorry. I misread your post. If there is a baby or yolk sac seen, this is not a blighted ovum. My apologies.

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  7. Hi Kay,

    I was diagnosed with a blighted ovum over a week ago - I was 8 weeks 0 days and gestational sac seen and measured 18mm (sac however completely empty) I had had a scan at 5 weeks due to bleeding and they saw a sac and yolk sac that measured 7mm. They said I just hadn't grown enough in that time so are 100% sure this is a blighted ovum.

    I have a tilted uterus and still quite prominent pregnancy symptoms. Am I silly to hold on and hope that this is a misdiagnosis?

    I have another scan on Sunday after cancelling a DnC last Friday.

    Any words of wisdom greatly received.

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  8. Had another scan today at 9 weeks 5 days and fetal pole was seen measuring 4mm - my gestational sac has only grown by 3mm however.

    No heartbeat was detected but how can 8 week scan show nothing and 9 week scan show fetal pole?

    Is there hope?

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    1. Interesting that they were 100% sure this was a blighted ovum and then one week later, there was the baby. If there are no complications and you are staying closely monitored, you might want one more ultrasound a week out. Then, if you decide to have a D&C (often needed after 10 weeks), you could schedule it for after, if needed.

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  9. On Feb 24th I took a test and it was postive. I had a m/c 4 years ago and an ectopic pregnancy on Nov 2015 which resulted in a lost tube. My doctor wanted to monitor me early so we did Hcg on Feb 26 which it was 1300. We repeated them on Feb 29th and it was 3500. She had me come in March 1st and do a vaginally u/s. I would be 4 weeks and 6 days. They saw a sac and stated they didn't think it was another ectopic. They scheduled me to come back on March 11th at 6 weeks 2 days. They did another U/S & stated the sac was bigger but no fetal pole inside. She mentioned there was a tiny spec that could be debri, a clot or maybe even a baby. She and her colleagues weren't sure. The tech didn't seem hopeful, but my doctor stated let's do another Hcg and progesterone and do another ultrasound in a week. She didn't mention a blighted ovum but possibly a molar pregnancy. My Hcg level came back at 55,000 but haven't got the progesterone back. I have had sore breasts, morning sickness and mild cramping since the beginning and had just a couple days of very scant spotting when I wiped. I am freaking out thinking this isn't going to end well again. I'm very hopeful to read other people's stories and I am praying that everything will be ok.

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    1. Huge (((hug))) for you. I hope you have an answer by now.

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  10. I'm glad I found this site. I had a scan this week at 7.5 weeks and told there was a sac and fetal pole measuring 5.5 weeks. My cycles have been off the last few months so it is entirely possible for me to be off by a bit. My dr tried to talk me into a d and c but I told him I wanted to wait for things to happen naturally. He then gave me some medication I could take on my own if I wanted and said to come back in a couple weeks to make sure I had miscarried fully. While researching whether or not I should take the meds vs have a d and c I found plenty of stories of women who have been in my position only to go on and have healthy babies. I think I'm going to wait it out and try to get a second opinion within the next week or so. I'm fully prepared for this to end in miscarriage as I know it's likely but I don't want to end a pregnancy that may be viable and always wondering about it.

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    1. Do you have an update? This was too soon diagnose. Another ultrasound a week out should have given you a more definitive answer((hugs))

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  11. Hi,

    Thank you for this site. I am also going through the same situation. LMP 03/05/2016. My period has always been regular except February. I had my ultrasound 7w5days there's a sac but no baby. My 1st HCG levels were 25,000. After 2 days, my HCG levels were 29,000. My OB and the on-call OB said with my levels there's should be seeing an embryo in the sac. They suggested I had miscarry, take a pill or d&c. I have no bleeding, etc. I called my OB today and asked the size of the sac and she said 17mm. I said I will wait. I have my next ultrasound in 2 weeks. That would make me almost 11weeks based on my LMP. I am Hopeful!!!!

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    1. I am so glad you have another ultrasound. HCG levels can slow or even decline temporarily and this is just too soon to diagnose. You really should not be diagnosed if the sac is growing and not yet over 25mm. (((Hugs)))

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  12. Hello,

    My LMP was Feb. 27, 2016. My cycles are anywhere from 29 to 35 days. I took an HPT on March 29 and it was positive. I went to get a blood test on March 30 and it was negative. I went back April 4 and finally got the positive blood test. April 17 I went to the ER for cramping and they did an ultrasound that showed an empty sac but measured 6 weeks 2 days, which is about a week behind based on my LMP. They did blood work and my hcg levels were about 14,000. Went to OB for a follow up on April 19 and they did another ultrasound which still only showed an emptry sac measuring 14mm. My blood work came back 24,000. Had another follow up on April 28. Ultrasound still shows and empty sac measuring 20mm. Blood work came back 55,000. I now have another ultrasound tomorrow, May 6 and I am a nervous wreck. I have pretty much accepted that this is not going to end well. But a part of me still holds on to that little glimmer of hope.

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  13. Hi Kay,
    On 2/7/16 I went to the er for bleeding they did a transvaginal ultrasound and blood work they wouldnt let me see the ultrasound but said that they couldnt see mich except for a sec and my hcg levels were 865 and said that according to my levels I was 3-4 weeks and sent me home as a threatened miscarriage, 2 days later I went back to the er bc the bleeding had gotten heavier no cramping at all so they checked my cervix and the dr said my cervix was closed and had drawn more blood this time my hcg aent to 843 they told me it was a for sure miscarriage and wanted me to take abortion pills of.course I refused wanting to see my ob first. On 2/11/16 I went to my appt with my ob they sone an ultrasound and said it was just a sac no fetus and my hcg had went down to 689 so they said it was a miscarriage and that I could take the pills to help move everything along or I could let it pass on its own that I didnt need a d&c they wanted to see me.back in 2 weeks for a repeat u/s to make sure everything had passed, I went back for my 2 week follow up my hcg levels had went down to 9 so the dr decided not to do a repeat u/s she said that everything should have passed. My breasts arent sore anymore but ive been getting sick randomly I have taken more pregnancy test but they all come back negative, my periods only last about 3-4 days now when they ised to be for a full 7, my stomach keeps getting bigger and I have thought I've felt fetal movement bit then I think im.crazy bc the dr said I had a miscarriage and the tests are coming back negative. What should I do?

    Glinda

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  14. Hi Kay

    My LMP was on April 16th and lasted about 7 days. I got a positive result on an opk on April 29th, skipped a day and then again and May 1st got a positive, got a negative on May 2nd. Had ovulation pain on May 2nd or 3rd (can't remember) and my CM was eggwhite starting on April 28th and lasting approximately May 2nd (didn't check after). Had sore breasts from May 3rd until now (sore breasts are normal for me about a week before my period but 2 weeks is not unusual). My cycle is between 33 and 38 days, I've had as long as 42 days but this is rare and hasnt happened in over a year. My OPK's tend to come positive between day 15 and day 18 of my cycle, which should mean I ovulate between day 16 and 19 of my cycle. I got a positive pregnancy test (3 positive and 2 negative, the negative were the same brand (EPT) so I suspect it was too early to detect for them and what I assume based on LMP was 4 weeks and 1 day or 3 das before my perid if it was to show up on the 33rd day. Sore breasts that just kept getting worse were my clue. Everything has been fine since. I've had some twinges of cramping, mild but doesn't last, the sore breasts and exhaustion, and constipatuon and bloating on and off. Went in at 7 weeks 3 days for first appointment and ultrasound. Just a day or two before I began with some nausea. The doctor did what I suspect was about 2 minutes of an ultrasound on a portable machine (my father, myself, and my husband have been fixing and building these for years, it's my father's career so we know a little bit about them) not meant for this kind of procedure, they are meant for emergency rooms and finding larger things like internal bleeding. Anyway she asks me if I'm sure of my LMP, I say yes I track my cycles, she says well the baby is only measuring at 5.5 weeks (come to find out later she was actually saying 5 weeks 5 days not 5 and a half weeks), that the baby is too small and there is no heartbeat. She shows us the screen for a brief minute, tells us everything looks fine accept for no heartbeat and the size. She did not show us the measurements and I'm not sure she printed the images. She tells us to come back in a week, that she has no I formation for us but that she wants to use the "bigger, better ultrasound and have the techincian do it cause she can find more," mentions D &C,abortion pills, and natural Miscarraige, tells me not to worry and ushers herself out of the room. The nurse returns takes me for blood work, says the doctor forgot to write in an HCG level test but that the lab technician would do one and she would remind the doctor (the tenician drew 2 viles). I currently work with a nurse practicioner who has been in the field of obstetrics for years. She requested my records in hopes of giving us more explanation at least. We found that the doctor only drew my blood for a blood typing and determination of the Rh factor and that she did not test HCG. There was no record of the measurements and no images from the ultrasound. However in my records she diagnosed me with a missed abortion. 1 test on a machine that even she admitted was not as good as the others and she deemed it a miscarraige. I've been sitting here for 4 days now waiting for the follow up and going crazy. I know that there could be something wrong, that's the reality of early pregnancy, but is it possible that my ovulation date is later than I thought? That my cycle length may have thrown things off? Is it possible the machine was wrong?

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  15. Dear Kay,
    Thanks for this website. I'm completely overwhelmed and so sad. Last week 7/19 I went on my first u/s and was so excited only to be completely devastated to see an empty sac. I was 7w5d and the dr. Didn't even measure anything and just turned the machine off. I had blood done that day about was excellent but I was still diagnosed with blighted ovum. I was trying for 2 years and am 41 years old so this is double blow for me is there any hope?

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  16. Hi Kay,
    I'm so thankful for this site. Not only does it give me hope but also prepare me for acceptance. I have an irregular menstrual cycle but my lmp was June 2nd, home pregnancy tested positive July 19. OB-GYN scheduled me for an ultrasound August 9, stating I should be 9 weeks by then. Day of, NP started with a regular abdominal ultrasound, stating that I might not be as far along as they thought and will try a vaginal ultrasound. She still couldn't see anything so she squeezed me into L&D department because they "have a better ultrasound and equipments." So while I waited, they made me drink what felt like a gallon of water. Tech calls me in and started with an abdominal ultrasound again before moving onto a vaginal. She took shots after shots with no words to me at all. She left to get the doctor when they finally come back and just said "looks like you're on the verge of a miscarriage, I'm sorry. You're gestational sac is here but we don't see any fetus. And your sac isn't shaped normal. But I'm gonna send you back next door so they can discuss your options. Sorry again." And she left and that was the end of that. I was shocked and more so hurt by the way she went about it all. I felt like she was more focused on getting me out because it was last 5PM already than she was about my situation. So finally I speak with another doctor who gave me my options and I chose to wait for a 2nd ultrasound just to give me a piece of mind. I started thinking I was just in denial but this was all before stumbling onto this wonderful community. This is my first pregnancy so I didn't think to ask the size of my gestational sac or what exactly was seen, nor did the doctor explain anything other than it was shaped weird. So I'm staying hopeful and praying til the end.

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  17. Hello,I had my first scan yesterday at what should have been 7 weeks 4 days based on my presumed ovulation date. I am not for sure when I ovulated to be honest as my temps were all over the place this cycle. I was told a small gestational sac and yolk sac were seen and a diagnosis of probable blighted ovum. I had a blighted ovum 18 montagu and it was a 25 mm empty sac with no yolk sac. I believe I may be earlier. My doctor will repeat my scan on 9/7. I'm holding onto a tiny bit of hope. Thank you for this site!

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  18. Hello,I had my first scan yesterday at what should have been 7 weeks 4 days based on my presumed ovulation date. I am not for sure when I ovulated to be honest as my temps were all over the place this cycle. I was told a small gestational sac and yolk sac were seen and a diagnosis of probable blighted ovum. I had a blighted ovum 18 montagu and it was a 25 mm empty sac with no yolk sac. I believe I may be earlier. My doctor will repeat my scan on 9/7. I'm holding onto a tiny bit of hope. Thank you for this site!

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  19. Hi My story is one with many twist and turns .. in April of this year I had a tubal reversal I'm 41 with Five children fast forward to this month I have a 24 day cycle I ovulated on 11/18/2016 got a positive test on the 23rd ... hcg levels was 16 re took them two days later number dropped to 13 no cramping or bleeding could this end well? They will re test Monday.

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  20. I just found out I was pregnant! I went in the other day for cramping and my levels were at 86.20 I went home feeling good I woke up and started bleeding . I panic and went to the ER. When I was there I waited two hours to be seen I was pissed and upset. Finally they did an exam and my cervix is still closed witch is good but my levels dropped to 60.85. They told me it's a treating miscarriage I'm really scared and upset right now they want me to come back in two days to see if anything goes back up. I'm only hoping for the best

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  21. Hi i have just been told ive had a muscarriage only on my hcg level as dropped had spotting no clots i should be 11 weeks. They are refusing to scan me advised that there is no need and bleeding is normal. After reading some of the posts im confused !!! Any advise would be great x

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  22. Wasn't sure how to post on here but it says enter comment so I'ma try this. Found out I was pregnant beginning of January went in for an ultrasound 2 weeks ago they only gestational sac I've been bleeding for a week but no clotting went back for another ultrasound this past week and the gestational Sac look bigger it had a meiotic fluid in it this time and what looked to be a fetal Pole but the tech said he couldn't tell me anything and the doctor should have called me Friday but she didn't wondering even though I'm bleeding if I could still be pregnant since things are growing been looking for answers on the internet as it's driving me crazy in the doctor didn't call me they did blood test again but I don't know what the levels were this time any input on this would be ease my mind

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  23. My cycles vary from 23-33 days. My LMP was Dec 27 and I had a positive home pregnancy test on Jan 30th. All was going well until yesterday when I spotted a little. After a sonogram I was informed that the only thing visible in my uterus was a gestational sac. The machine estimated my pregnancy at 6 weeks and according to my LMP I should be 8 today.

    My doc scheduled me a recheck for March 1. He said if the sac was still empty I'd need a D&C.

    Is there any hope? The doc said he was almost for certain I had a blighted ovum.

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    1. Hi Dottie, sorry you are going through this.. 2 weeks ago tomorrow I MC at 9wk3 days from blighted ovum.. LMP was 11th December, got my positive test on the Sunday 8th January, 10 days later started spotting. Booked me in for a scan on the Monday exactly 6 weeks from LMP.. saw what looked like GS growing, said maybe dates were out and was earlier than thought and come back following Monday for another scan.. they did take bloods that Monday, was 2100, then Wednesday 2800 then Friday 3700.. on the Monday I was then 7 weeks passed LMP, saw GS but no yolk sac, told me to come back a week later at 8 weeks 5 days passed LMP, same story, looked like blighted ovum, but couldn't say definately blighted ovum, as GS measured 22 not 25, ran more bloods that went up to 14000... given I was in no pain they decided to leave me another week, the next day I started to bleed and finally MC on the Tuesday 14th Feb, blighted ovum so cruel as body shows all the signs of pregnancy, bloating, tired, sore breasts but your body hasn't realised the baby isn't there, I feel for what your going through, I went through 2 weeks of shear fear and then two weeks of praying and hope, but I knew it was over really, the GS should be showing a baby at 6/7 weeks unfortunately... never felt devastation like it.. you need to get them to run your bloods but if they can't say for definately what is happening and you feel ok in yourself then wait it out just to be on the safe side, I guess in a horrible way I was lucky, some ladies go the full trimester with this and it's only when they have 12 week scan do they find out no baby there.. hope you find some peace at this difficult time. X

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    2. Your gestational sac needs to measure 25 so until it does play it safe and don't let them give you a D&C or drugs, they were contemplating doing that with me! I wouldn't have allowed that! So wait it out if your feeling ok... and number 2, if they haven't already go and see them and demand a blood test, and again 2 days later and again after that! At least that way you might get more concrete answers and know exactly what you are facing.. like I said with blighted ovum, this can go on for weeks!!

      Finally as horrible as it sounds, if you get the dreaded news then be prepared for the MC, everyone is different I totally get that but I googled what to expect and was so glad I did... at 9wk3 I passed the placenta, it was clearly visible but had blood clot around it, also passed the sac which had burst but has different texture to a clot, I had bleeding on Saturday through to Monday night with clots, but like bad period pains so took some ibroprufen.. early hours of Tuesday morning pain got bad at 5:30am, took some more ibroprufen, managed to sleep a little.. at 7:30am woke up, felt like I needed to push and knew then what I was going to pass.. caught it in some toilet roll, sorry if this is TMI, but I was so grateful I knew what to expect.. once it passed pain stopped quite a bit.. put it on the basin and sat down to gather myself for a little while, before going back into the bathroom to look at it, sounds so stupid but wanted to make sure there was no baby there, couldn't bear flushing my baby down the pan, there wasn't of course but something inside me just had to check so I wouldn't be left wondering.. will be praying for some peace for you through all of this. X

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  24. Hi, I am supposed to be 8.5 weeks along, but I have slowly rising HCG and I'm measuring at only 6 weeks, 1 day (at the ultrasound before I was measuring 5 weeks, 5 days). My doctor's office says a miscarriage is eminent and the baby is dead, the ultrasound place won't call fetal demise yet, but they say it doesn't look good. The sack is 10mm, there is a yoke and fetal pole, but no hb. I know ultrasounds can be off though and it's still really early. The doctor's office says it's a blighted ovum, but there's still something in there and while things have made little progression, they've still made some. I had a blighted ovum with my last pregnancy and there really was nothing inside, I spontaneously miscarried at 10 weeks, days after the diagnosis. They insist on monitoring my HCG each week to make sure it doesn't plateau and I don't grow cancerous tissue. They will send me back for another ultrasound in 2-3 weeks too. This is my 8th pregnancy. I have 3 kiddos, I've lost 4 and I'm still cautiously optimistic about this one. Thoughts?

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  25. I'm really not sure if this has anything to do with it, but 2.5 weeks ago I had the same lady that did my us today. She didn't find anything at all then, 4 days later a fetal pole and sack showed up, but that tech had me all propped up and really took her time, 2 weeks later I get the same lady as the first, but I wasn't adjusted to tilt up or anything. I wonder if that made any difference ?

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  26. Would be deeply grateful for your input. I have read everything on your site about gestational sac size relative to number of weeks. But, am really on the cusp and desperate for a sounding board. My gestational sac is 7wks 2days measuring 24.2mm. But, no yolk sac/fetal pole. I don't really know my last period - lost track in January and light bleeding right at the time in February that I would have had my period. (I had been desperately ill (norovirus from my son) and lost a lot of weight quickly. I'm also vegetarian and thing so tend to have occasional amenorrhea. So, just thought it was a light period. Anyway, What would have been 6wks 6 days I had progesterone of 26 with HCG of 81,000. I know this doesn't mean anything - and the overt pregnancy symptoms I have had also don't mean anything. Reason being, I lost two babies (blighted ovum 8wks on first and heartbeat that stopped spontaneously at 11 weeks.) then carried one successfully full term (he is gorgeous healthy boy 2yrs old). Having lost previously I am pragmatic and don't hold onto false hope. But, something just doesn't seem to quite add up and I just don't think I am quite ready for a D&C. But at 24.2 mm I know I am really really close to the 25mm measurement shared in your post. I would be ever grateful for any thoughts.....
    - Leigh

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  27. hello hoping someone can help. I went for the first time for an ultrasound this Tuesday and they found an empty sack had blood test done Wednesday and Friday. They advise me I had a viable pregnancy but I do not understand my hcg levels were 30000 and 33000 on the second but they did not double. I have not bleed or have any symptoms of miscarriage. I have an ultrasound again this upcoming Thursday but I do not know if i should get a second opinion. Can anyone help

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    1. At this point, your levels will slow. That can be normal. It is more important to see growth between ultrasounds. (((hugs)))

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  28. Hi I was measuring at 5 weeks 6 days on 4/27 with an HCG level of a little over 15000. On 5/5, I measured at 6 weeks 2 days and they see an empty sac and no yolk. The Dr insists it's a blighted ovum and suggested a d&c or pills to bring on a miscarriage. I have refused for now!!! Could this be a misdiagnosis or am I just wishful thinking because I want there to be a baby? I'm losing my mind with frustration

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    1. Hi Christina. You are much too early to diagnose. They should be monitoring the gestational sac and making sure it is growing from week to week. Around nine weeks or so, if still growing and more than 25mm, that is when a blighted ovum should be diagnosed. (((hugs)))

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  29. Hi I had positive pregnancy test on 35 days LMP I started bleeding on 2nd may i.e. 37th day LMP .Nothing shown in ultrasound my HCG count on that day was 365. I bleeded very little for 24 hrs but passed few clots.i then again took my HCG on 6 may my count goes down to 37 only.Could I still have some hope. I normally have period for 24 to 36 hrs but this one was lighter than the normal period

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  30. Hello, I am not feeling any midcarriage symptoms, but doctors said given that my HCG level dropped from 441 to 437 in 48 hours, then it signifies a miscarriage. Does anyone know if evrn a slight drop on HCH level definitely means a miscarriage? (I should be 5-6 weeks since my LMP) Would appreciate any help. Thanks.

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    1. There are times hCG numbers drop or plateau and then begin rising normally. But, you should stay closely monitored to rule out an ectopic pregnancy. (((hugs)))

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  31. Hi I'm 46 years old with 5 miscarriages in my pass.... went to for my first OB appointment and my dr found the sac but no baby... said I was 6w3d but he gave me no hope and sent me to do blood wk which said my hcg was 13000... his nurse told me he said numbers like that he should of seen more.... set me another appointment to see a ultrasound Tech as a formality her words....I go tomorrow.... over all I been feeling good just stressed �� from how i was lead to feel.... I wished I'd googled this last week it would of made my week easier to live through.... thanks and pray for me will post what I find out tomorrow....thank you! Hopeful mom!

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  32. Hi went in today for my second US and no heart beat but they did see something in the sac dr. Said it looks like a yoke but wasn't sure however I did blood wk and will do another ultrasound next week....

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    1. Oh Pamela, I am so sorry to hear of your losses! I don't know what will happen but I do know this is too early to diagnose! You may want to consider a new doctor. I hope you get better news and I am praying for you!

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  33. Hi Kay,

    I'm experiencing a blighted ovum right now, but decided to wait for it to happen naturally just in case based on your website (thank you!). I am hoping for a miracle. I would love your opinion of my situation....so here are the facts!

    I am sure of my dates because I was tracking my cycle and using ovulation strips.
    Ovulated on 7/24/17 (mayyyybe 7/25). Started testing for pregnancy at 8 dpo, got a positive on 11 dpo (8/4/17).

    Today I am 9 weeks 3 days, no sign of miscarriage, no bleeding or cramping.

    Blood draws on 8/21 and 8/23 resulted in hcg levels of 16,000 and 25,000, respectively. So, not doubling, but certainly increasing.

    1st ultrasound on 9/1/17 at 7 weeks 4 days. Empty gestational sac, measuring 6 wks + some (can't remember how many days). We were crushed. The technician documented a yolk sac, but my doctor later said she thought that was optimistic, she wasn't sure that was a yolk sac.
    Radiologist mentioned something about a tilted uterus, but when I asked my doctor she said she wasn't sure (??). I may call back to bet clarification.

    2nd ultrasound on 9/5 at 8 weeks 1 day. Still empty gestational sac. Grew a few mm (I think she said it was 20 or 21mm). Had another blood draw, resulting in hcg levels of 13,000 so it decreased... Oh but wait... they called me back a few hours later, missed a 0....it was 130,000! So it was quite a jump from 25,000.

    3rd ultrasound on 9/12 at 9 weeks 1 day. Still empty gestational sac, but it grew a few days worth. I didn't get the exact measurement from her (I wish I had!!), but I think I remember seeing 7 weeks 6 days on the ultrasound screen, which I believe is juuuust under 25mm (??).

    I realize I am getting to the point of no hope, but a piece of me still has hope, since my hcg has gotten so high, and the sac is continuing to grow, however it is behind what it should be for 9 weeks.

    What do you think - do I still have any hope? I go for another ultrasound on 9/26 (I'd be 11 weeks 1 day). When do most people pass a BO naturally?
    This will be my second miscarriage - I had a natural miscarriage on May 1st, 2017 (I was 9 weeks 4 days). Embyro was visible on ultrasound measuring at 7 weeks.

    Thank you!!

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    1. I forgot to mention a few things: in my 2 subsequent ultrasounds, my doctor saw "something" in the corner, which is what the 1st ultrasound technician said was a yolk sac. But my doctor wasn't calling it a yolk sac.

      2nd US - was told the gestational sac was an odd shape - looked like a crescent, or a smile. Was told that was a bad sign.

      3rd US - the sac looked completely different. Definitely not crescent shaped, but she said it still wasn't a good sign because it was somewhat tear-shaped.

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  34. Hi Lindsay. Really the best thing is to get another ultrasound and make sure that sac is more than 25mm before being diagnosed. I don't think you should wait so long though. Generally a week between ultrasounds is best. Of course, be seen right away if there are any complications. (((hugs)))

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  35. I'm 39 and at 4 wks pregnant my hcg went from 440 to 125 in less than 24hours. Next b/w 2 days laterit was at 74. On 9/24/17 was given misoprostol that night I began cramping and bleeding. The bleeding lasted 5 days was told to return to the Dr. In 2 weeks. On 10/10/17 blood work showes hcg at 780 on 10/12/17 hcg at 980. I'm so confused about what is going on.Please if you have any idea let me know.

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    1. You need to be closely monitored to be sure this is not ectopic. Are they doing an ultrasound? I have spoken to women who were told there was no baby and given misoprostol only to find out they were still pregnancy. Please, stay closely monitored!

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  36. Last week at 5 weeks 4 days a scan showed a gestational sac and yolk sac measuring appropriate. Today at 6 weeks 4 days, nonyokk sac was seen, although gestational sac had grown and HCG had risen from 5000 to 33000. Progesterone also good, although I'm on support. I guess it's not technically blighted ovum since a yolk was seen..... is it even possible they just missed it today? I go back next week to confirm but doctor seems convinced I'm miscarrying and my body reabsorbed the yolk sac. With numbers so high; I'm concerned. Although we always saw a yolk sac, it took until exactly 8 weeks to see a heartbeat with my son. Have you ever heard of a disappearing yolk sac and rising HCG?

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    1. If the gestational sac is growing and not yet more than 25mm, this may be too early to diagnose. I've talked to women who actually saw their babies, did not see them the next week, and then went on to see them again. I do hope you get better news. (((hugs)))

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  37. Hi, here's my short story. I an very worried. I found out I was pregnant with my second pregnancy in November. My lmp was Oct. 30th. I started spotting 4 days ago. Yesterday went to the er. They did blood tests and an us. They said the us was measuring the baby at 6 weeks when I was supposed to be 7. They couldn't see a heart beat but said it could also be to early. Within 10 days my hcg levels went from 4,000 to 10,000. Not like they should. 10,000 was what they got in the er. After i got home from the er i started bleeding more and it turned red. Also was told i have bv which is an infection but didnt and wont affect the baby. Now today is the 5th day of bleeding. My boobs hurt less. I really want this to be okay. Anyone have similar things happen and turned out okay?

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  38. I am so sorry you are going through this. I bled heavily with my first pregnancy and he was fine. Not sure what is happening but please stay closely monitored.

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  39. I had my first scan at what I thought was 7 weeks 3 days. I am pretty certain based off ovulation tests, pain, ewcm, and the fact that my husband left town for 10 days after. On the scan, they saw a perfectly spherical shaped gestational sac and yolk sac but no baby. I've had 3 successful pregnancies so I was completely shocked. My gestational sac was measuring just under 17mm. I had my hcg levels tested (first ever for me) and they were 14,700. About 2.5 days later, my hcg levels were at 14,500. My midwife says I have a sliver of a chance. My second ultrasound is this coming Wednesday. I have been a complete and total mess about this. Not reading many optimistic stories

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    1. I see it has been a few weeks. I am really hoping they found your little one. (((hugs))) to you!

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  40. Hello Kay,
    My LMP was 10/12/17. I ovulated on 22/12/17. I discovered i was pregnant on 8/01/18 by 3 at home pregnancy tests, later confirmed by a blood test.
    According to my dates i should be 9 weeks and 6 days pregnant.
    Yesterday i went to the Dr after being concerned of my diminishing symptoms over the last week.
    In the earlier stages i had very sore, fuller breasts with blue veins. I had nausea, no vomitting, sensitivity to smell for at least a week and struggled to eat dinner every night mostly due to things tasting different and feeling bloated.
    In the last week i don't feel the same nausea or sore breasts. The last 2 days I've had mild cramping. No spotting or bleeding.
    My Dr advised it was very normal as i approaching the second trimester for my symptoms to decrease. Despite this i wanted reassurance and asked for an ultrasound.
    They squeezed me in yesterday and gave me 2 glasses of water to drink.
    They tried external us and sent me away to drink more as they couldn't see anything.
    Now I'm nearly bursting and they do the us again. At first synographer says he could see 2 empty sacs.
    Then does internal us and advises only 1 empty sac. I was not advised if he could see a yolk sac or pole. Nor was i told the sac size.
    I was sent for blood test and haven't received the result. The dr requested i go to the hospital that day for another us. I couldn't get in as they had closed.
    The dr advised they believe it was a blighted ovum.
    Should i request another us over the course of a few weeks? I should mention at times my cycle can be a few days late. In fact only the month before my LMP i was 6 days overdue for it.
    Any advice you have is greatly appreciated! Thank you for the support you provide to all the worried ladies going through this hard time!

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  41. I am just so sorry you are going through this scare. I don't know what is happening but I've talked to women before with twin sacs and they had a baby or babies appear a bit later. Not sure if that is the case here but stay closely monitored. (((hugs)))

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  42. Hi Kay,

    Yesterday 05-09-2018 I went to my first midwife appt. She did the U/S but she wasn’t able to find the baby heartbeat or baby in general. She said I was measuring 6w7d but when looking again i was only measuring 6w4d. So she said they could test HCG that day and come back Friday to test levels again. And to set up another U/S one week out to see if there is any difference. She did say that the Dr. In the office said that I was only 1.8 and because it wasn’t a 2 he would wait it out as well because they like to wait for it to reach a 2 before making decisions. In the mean time I am going crazy because I really want this baby and my S/O is upset as well because he wanted this baby as well. What are your thoughts? BTW I have been diagnosed with PCOS but hormones were in check and I had a recent weight loss of almost 20 lbs due to keto diet. And I have a tilted uterus I was told while pregnant with my son 8 yrs ago. Thanks for input.

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    1. I think it is too late to know what is happening. As hard as it is, time is the only true test of a blighted ovum. I hope you get better news soon!

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  43. Kay, thank you so much for running this website. Do you know if there are any statistics on how often this occurs? I just wonder what my chances of actually having a viable pregnancy are. I was seen at what I believe was 6 weeks 3 days. A sac was detected but no yolk or fetal pole. My hcg was tested and it's at 30,000. I was certain this meant I'd miscarried, but my OBGYN told me to hold onto hope for a bit longer. I have my follow up appointment in another week when I'll be 7 weeks 5 days but maybe even that appointment is too soon. The issue is that if I have miscarried, I'd like to take medication to start the miscarriage process. My husband and I are in our late 30's, and I so want a child. We don't want to wait too much longer to try to conceive again. We already had a missed miscarriage at 9 weeks. I'm just trying to weigh all of the pros and cons of waiting to induce a miscarriage. Thank you.

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  44. Hi, I am 8 weeks 3 days according to lmp. Last Friday I was 7 weeks 4 days lmp, I went in for my first Vaginal ultrasound. They only saw an empty sac nothing else. But they measured me at 6 weeks 5 days I believe and said I was 2.7 centimeters. I’ve been so Devastated and the doctor wanted to schedule a d and c. But I called for another doctor and said wait a week. I have my apt tomorrow. Do I have hope even though I am measuring bigger than 25 millimeters ? I have pregnancy symptoms and not bleeding yet. This has been the hardest thing. I hoping I’m still early. My HCG levels have been rising and were 83,300 last week first ultra sound apt.

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  45. Hi, I'm 13 weeks, but my cycle has been unreliable since it returned 9 months ago. I was diagnosed with BO 4 days ago. I don't remember what the sack meadured. I have had morning sickness up until a couple of days ago and no signs of miscarriageat all. My morning sickness usually disappears around 13 weeks, so this was expected even without BO. Most of these stories are of an earlier gestational age. Is it possible that I was misdiagnosed this late? I've only had the one US, but will be getting another in 3 days. Trusting God and looking for encouragement...

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  46. hello everyone on this page I want to us this opportunity to share my testimony to you all on how i was able to conceive with the help of a herbal medicine after 7 year of been married without having a child, Me and my husband have been to so many hospital to know what exactly is stopping me from getting pregnant and the result always show that I’m fine that nothing is wrong with me, And it gets to a time when i started getting frustrated with everything happening to me which almost lead to divorce because there was no happy moment in our married anymore, one day I was reading some review online that is when i come across some ladies sharing a similar situation and how they end up getting pregnant with the of using a herbal medicine they order from a man called Dr Nogopko healing temple, i immediately took the herbal Dr info from their testimony because i can’t wait to have a child of my own and to god be the glory i order mine and i also become pregnant with twins a boy and girl.

    i want to say thank you once again Dr nogokpo for you have bring back happiness to our home again with the help of your powerful herbal medication i will forever be grateful.

    The may reason i share my testimony here is to help some of you ladies that is also going through similar situation trying to conceive to have a fast solution to their problem. His email address is :( nogokposh@gmail.com ) his Whatapp ON ; +233 24 095 7817 .give him a try and thank me later.

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