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What Does Absence Of Fetal Heartbeat During 7 Weeks Of Pregnancy Suggest?

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Posted on Wed, 29 Jun 2016
Question: I'm 7 weeks and 4 days pregnant I had an abdominal ultrasound and they said they couldn't see a heartbeat I was wondering if it's to early to see a heartbeat through abdominal ultrasound? I had my hcg levels read last week which were 57, 819 I have no signs that I'm miscarrying I still have every pregnancy symptoms.
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Answered by Dr. Jacqueline Brown (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is true the heartbeat can be missed by abdominal ultrasound

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and I would be happy to answer your question today.

It is true that abdominal ultrasound can be less accurate than transvaginal ultrasound during the first trimester of pregnancy, depending also on the quality of the machine. Normally, the heartbeat should be seen around 7 weeks but that can vary by up to 5 days and still can be missed by abdominal ultrasound.

In your case it is also reassuring that your HCG hormone levels are over 50,000. Anything over 5000 is reassuring at 7 weeks.

So if you feel fine and have no bleeding there is no need to make any decisions about the pregnancy just yet. I recommend waiting and repeating the ultrasound examination in 2 weeks time- by then the heart beat should be clearly visible.

I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was helpful. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Best wishes,

Dr. Brown
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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Answered by
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Dr. Jacqueline Brown

OBGYN

Practicing since :1996

Answered : 1425 Questions

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What Does Absence Of Fetal Heartbeat During 7 Weeks Of Pregnancy Suggest?

Brief Answer: It is true the heartbeat can be missed by abdominal ultrasound Detailed Answer: Hello, and I would be happy to answer your question today. It is true that abdominal ultrasound can be less accurate than transvaginal ultrasound during the first trimester of pregnancy, depending also on the quality of the machine. Normally, the heartbeat should be seen around 7 weeks but that can vary by up to 5 days and still can be missed by abdominal ultrasound. In your case it is also reassuring that your HCG hormone levels are over 50,000. Anything over 5000 is reassuring at 7 weeks. So if you feel fine and have no bleeding there is no need to make any decisions about the pregnancy just yet. I recommend waiting and repeating the ultrasound examination in 2 weeks time- by then the heart beat should be clearly visible. I hope I was able to adequately answer your question today, and that my advice was helpful. If you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me. Best wishes, Dr. Brown