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Gestational Sac but No Embryo

QUESTION

Dear Midwife,
Two years ago I had an ectopic pregnancy, then just Jan 1st I had a miscarriage (very early pregnancy) and now I have tested positive for pregnancy again.

Based on start date of last period I'm only JUST now 5 wks. Went to ER yesterday for some cramping (since I"ve had an ectopic, any cramping makes me nervous) but no bleeding. They did a transvaginal ultrasound and abdominal as well. They are able to see a gestational sac in the uterus, but no yolk sac, or embryo. The Dr said that it could just be too early to see or there is no developing fetus and I will miscarry the sac.

From your knowledge, can it be likely at 5 wks to only detect a sac and still nothing further? (My period was only missed Tuesday 1 wk ago) or is it more likely that I will be miscarrying a sac? I still have no bleeding and the cramps have gone away...I will go back to the OB on Thursday to do blood work and compare numbers but any answer now as to the commonality of this would be great.

Thank you,
Anni

ANSWER

Yes, there could be a sac but nothing else visible in a viable pregnancy with the dates you describe, especially if you ovulated a little late this cycle. So I agree, do the blood work again and comparison of the numbers should help to sort it out. Good luck!

-- Cynthia, CNM. PhD.

Cynthia Flynn

Cynthia Flynn, CNM. PhD, is the General Director of the Family Health and Birth Center which provides prenatal, birth, postnatal, gynecological and primary health care to underserved women and their families in Washington, D.C. Recently Cynthia served as Associate Professor of Nursing at Seattle University. There she not only taught, but remained in full scope clinical midwifery practice at Valley Medical Center where she cared for pregnant and birthing women, and practices well-woman gynecology, family planning, and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases.

Cynthia founded Columbia Women's Clinic and Birth Center, where she took care of pregnant women and infants up to two weeks of age and attended both birth center and hospital births. Before Cynthia earned her CNM, she worked as a registered nurse in labor and delivery and postpartum and is a certified Doula and Doula trainer.