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Is a "Blurry" Sac Equated With Bad Prognosis?

QUESTION

Dear Ms Ultrasound,
My husband and I are pregnant after our 2nd round of IVF. I have had two successful pregnancies on my own, but due to my husband's vasectomy, we agreed on IVF. I just had an ultrasound to be sure there was a sac and it was not an ectopic pregnancy. I am scheduled for another ultrasound in 4 days to check for a heartbeat.

However, when my practitioner did the first ultrasound she seemed slightly concerned. She said there was a sac and the yoke sac. From one view, the sac was "blurry" and from another view it was very evident. She said it was a concern because she wants the sac to be dark and "pop out" on the screen from all angles and she would give us a 50/50 chance for a viable pregnancy. So, needless to say, I have been a wreck since yesterday. What do you think?

Thanks,
Druann

ANSWER

Hi Druann,
Please DON"T worry about such an early ultrasound! These early scans always put you in what I call the "gray zone" Probably just too early to see anything. A week waiting period is standard and anxiety producing. What commonly happens is you go in for the second ultrasound and find you have wasted a week of precious life, worrying unnecessarily because everything is fine and a heartbeat is seen.

Please note, a practitioner is not a licensed sonographer and in a high percentage of the time do not have the same skill level as a registered sonographer.

The great news is that a gestational sac with a yolk sac was seen. Normal in early pregnancy. If you have not had bleeding or any other problems, I would feel good about your pregnancy.

Try and let go of the worry while you are in the time between ultrasounds. I believe the less stress and worry the mother has the better chance we give our child.

-- Jane, RDMS

Jane Foley

Jane Foley has worked as a Sonographer (Ultrasound Technologist) since 1979. Jane has lived and worked in many parts of the world including Saudi Arabia. She is a Registered Diagnostic Medical Sonographer or RDMS. She pulls a wealth of information from her experience in the field of Radiology and her interactions with such a broad cross-section of cultures she has visited. She now makes her home on the island of Maui with her English husband, Michael.