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What Does The Lack Of Foetal Pole In A 5 Week Ultrasound Indicate?

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Posted on Mon, 16 Mar 2015
Question: Went for early scan when I
Thought I was 7 weeks +1. Had both types of scan. Only saw ges sac measuring 15.9mm in line with 5 weeks +5 days. No yolk sac or foetal pole. Is this a blighted ovum. Been suggested I go for re-scan in 2 weeks. Keep waking up panicking.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need few more details.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for writing to us with your health concern.
Please let me know a few details.
When was your last menstrual period ?
Are your cycles regular ?
Is this your first pregnancy ?
Please upload both scans with the reports, and the dates on which they were done ?
Do you have symptoms - pain / cramps/ spotting / bleeding ?
Please write back with more details.
Relax, will be doing my best to guide you.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (5 minutes later)
Hello, my last period was in the 24.12.14. I've had no spotting or bleeding, just cramping. I paid privately for a scan as nhs do not offer until 12 weeks. Scan was done on thurs 12th. Report says correctly placed within uterus is a single gestation sac with a mean size of 15.9mm= 5+4. Both ovaries and adnexae appear normal. No sign of bleeding around sac. Suggested re-scan in 2 weeks.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Please elaborate.

Detailed Answer:
Do you always have regular cycles ?
What is your cycle length and duration please ?
You mention both types of scan - which ones ?
Do you mean abdominal and vaginal both ?
Please upload the report, kindly do not type it, it makes a big difference in interpretation.
Is this your first pregnancy ?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (11 minutes later)
Yes I had both types of scan abdominal and vaginal. Regular cycles at 28 days as far as I know although after coming of cerezette they were very light. Only had 2 to go by a had period in October and then November and after that fell pregnant. These were both 28 day cycles. I can't upload the report but the wording I just wrote was same as on report. Scan picture given just nothing on it, not even sac.

Yes first pregnancy although had 2 terminations when young. I'm now 28 and had one at 16 and one at 18.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Only re scan will tell you what the situation is like.

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Basically, the scan is lagging behind by 2 weeks.
It is possible that this is a blighted ovum, however, it is too early to say that.
It can only be diagnosed with certainty when the repeat scan after 2 weeks also shows no viable fetal development.
Another possibility is that you are having a delayed conception.
This happens when conception happened later than what is assumed.
Often happens when you get off a contraceptive pill, and ovulation is erratic.
In this situation, after 2 weeks, when you get a re scan, normal fetal development would be seen.
So actually the diagnosis and actual situation can be understood only when a repeat scan is done.
You have no ominous symptoms, so you should remain optimistic.
Also, if you bleed / have cramps etc, you should go to the ER immediately.
Meanwhile you should take rest, avoid stress, intercourse and travelling.
You can write to me directly anytime using the following link -
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-aarti-abraham/64623
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 days later)
Hello,

Just thought I'd let you know that I now have a scan booked for Tuesday. Also I have been feeling very sick today for first time in a while and tired like I've got the flu. Do pregnancy symptoms start up again with a blighted ovum?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Symptoms are non reliable.

Detailed Answer:
Actually all the symptoms of pregnancy are unreliable.
Nothing proves a viable pregnancy , apart from an ultrasound scan that can SEE the baby alive.
Do not worry, as the sickness and tiredness can mean anything or nothing.
Dont read much into these symptoms.
Keep me posted on the scan report.
Fingers crossed for you !

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (3 days later)
Hello,

I went for my scan today and they saw sac measuring 27mm and yolk sac also a foetal pole measuring 3mm. Have to go for another re scan in 2 weeks. Is that because it's still behind?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (38 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes, rescheduled to look at the cardiac activity.

Detailed Answer:
Yes, it is good news that the fetal pole and yolk sac are seen.
The rescan is scheduled because you need to visualize the heartbeat now.
Best of luck for that !
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Aarti Abraham (7 minutes later)
Hello,

They saw a flicker which they said was a heartbeat so that's good news too I take it. Not sure why she would re scan now.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Aarti Abraham (47 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
To confirm and measure the heartbeat.

Detailed Answer:
I think they would rescan you to be sure of the heartbeat, and to be measure the exact rate of heartbeat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Aarti Abraham

OBGYN

Practicing since :1998

Answered : 6004 Questions

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What Does The Lack Of Foetal Pole In A 5 Week Ultrasound Indicate?

Brief Answer: Need few more details. Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for writing to us with your health concern. Please let me know a few details. When was your last menstrual period ? Are your cycles regular ? Is this your first pregnancy ? Please upload both scans with the reports, and the dates on which they were done ? Do you have symptoms - pain / cramps/ spotting / bleeding ? Please write back with more details. Relax, will be doing my best to guide you. Looking forward to hearing from you. Take care.