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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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Exp 50 years

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What Causes Absence Of Baby In Gestational Sac On Pregnancy Scan?

I went to the clinic and found out I was pregnant and we seen the gestational sac and the little dot which I m guessing was the baby at the time I was 5weeks now I m supposedly 8 weeks and I went for another u/s and we seen the gestational sac but no baby and my cervix is closed and thick. How on earth is that possible? What does that mean?
Mon, 1 Sep 2014
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OBGYN,  's  Response
Hello and welcome,
I understand your concern. However this is not uncommon and nor is it impossible. Common cause may be a delayed conception where the baby is not seen as it is too early and the pregnancy was conceived later than what is calculated from the menstrual period.

Another reason is called a missed abortion where the pregnancy gets aborted inside the uterus only. The baby ceases to grow. These issues are very very common during pregnancy and most of the time they occur due to infections or genetic defects in the baby.

In your case a missed abortion is more likely considering the history.

As of now it is better for you to wait for 2 weeks and repeat the ultrasound. If it is showing a baby and its heart beat, then it is a delayed conception and there is no need to worry.
If the repeat scan shows a similar result or you have bleeding in the intervening period then you will need to undergo an evacuation procedure to remove the missed products.

Meanwhile take micronised progesterone and folic acid daily to help the baby grow if it is alive.

Please do not worry as this is not uncommon at all.

Hope this satisfies your query.
Thanks for using HCM.     
Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have.
Dr Madhuri Bagde
Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist
[You may also ask me direct questions at the following link. http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-madhuri-n-bagde/66844 Thanks!!]
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What Causes Absence Of Baby In Gestational Sac On Pregnancy Scan?

Hello and welcome, I understand your concern. However this is not uncommon and nor is it impossible. Common cause may be a delayed conception where the baby is not seen as it is too early and the pregnancy was conceived later than what is calculated from the menstrual period. Another reason is called a missed abortion where the pregnancy gets aborted inside the uterus only. The baby ceases to grow. These issues are very very common during pregnancy and most of the time they occur due to infections or genetic defects in the baby. In your case a missed abortion is more likely considering the history. As of now it is better for you to wait for 2 weeks and repeat the ultrasound. If it is showing a baby and its heart beat, then it is a delayed conception and there is no need to worry. If the repeat scan shows a similar result or you have bleeding in the intervening period then you will need to undergo an evacuation procedure to remove the missed products. Meanwhile take micronised progesterone and folic acid daily to help the baby grow if it is alive. Please do not worry as this is not uncommon at all. Hope this satisfies your query. Thanks for using HCM. Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have. Dr Madhuri Bagde Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist [You may also ask me direct questions at the following link. http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-madhuri-n-bagde/66844 Thanks!!]