Did you just have your first trimester 6 week pregnancy ultrasound appointment and didn’t see baby or heartbeat? That can be very heartbreaking and confusing to you, specially in early pregnancy. I get it mama because I went through this experience myself with my second pregnancy, which were twins.
You see, right now you are 6 weeks along in your pregnancy which can actually be too early to detect a heartbeat or even see a baby. Yes, many pregnant mamas can in fact see their baby and see baby’s heartbeat at their 6 week ultrasound appointment. But, in many cases you can’t.
I want you to still be excited about being pregnant and going to your first-trimester ultrasound. Just because you didn’t see a baby right now, doesn’t mean a baby is not there. Yes, sadly in many cases not seeing a baby and just a sac can mean an early pregnancy losses or miscarriage or false pregnancy. But let’s look at the positive here.
No Yolk Sac at 6 Weeks
“Seeing no yolk sac on an ultrasound at this stage of pregnancy could simply mean the fetus’s gestational age may have been miscalculated. “ (source)
An Empty Sac Pregnancy
When the gestational sac is empty—meaning there’s no yolk sac or embryo by the time there should be— it is known as an empty sac pregnancy.An empty sac pregnancy is a type of miscarriage, even though the products of conception are still contained in the uterus.(source)
Baby development during your 6 week of pregnancy
- Baby is literally size of a pea
- There is heart activity but not easily seen until you’re 8 weeks and after
- There are dark spots where your baby’s ears, mouth, nose and eyes will eventually form (source)
Reasons for a 6 week pregnancy ultrasound and no baby or heartbeat?
1.Miscalculated missed period date
If you have irregular periods, most likely you might have miscalculated the first day of your last period. You do not need to have irregular periods to forget the exact date of your last menstrual period. In fact, I never remember and I am regular, so I do an educated guess, ha!
Do not be worried because you might be a few days off. Making it too early to see a baby on your 6 week sonogram/ultrasound appointment.
The best way to help you have a better and calm birth is to get educated about it! Start early and enroll in one of the best online birth classes whether you want to have an unmedicated birth, epidural or planning on a C-section, there’s a class for you! Click here to start!
2. Too early in your pregnancy
Some women are just too early in their pregnancy to actually see a baby or hear/see baby’s heartbeat. Yet mama! Take a breather and know that it is very common to not see a baby and just see the sac. It is preparing for baby to make his way and start developing in there. 6 weeks pregnant is still considered too early and so waiting for your 8th week sonogram appointment is recommended.
I think it’s never too early to learn, specially if you’re going to be a new mom. Take this breastfeeding online class if you’re planning to breastfeed and want a less painful but more enjoyable experience. Learn more here!
3. Miscarriage
If you follow up with your doctor at 8 weeks pregnant and there is no sign of baby/embryo, it can mean you had a miscarriage. A miscarriage this early on in pregnancy is called “blighted ovum”. Where the sac can still be seen but no sign of baby or baby stopped growing.
4. Ectopic pregnancy
An ectopic pregnancy is when the fertilized egg implants itself outside of the uterus, on your fallopian tube or sometimes on the ovaries. If left untreated, it can be life threatening to the mother. To remove the egg medication sometimes is enough, but if you are later on in your pregnancy, surgery may be required. (source)
Symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy:
- abdominal pain
- vaginal bleeding
Want to prepare for your pregnancy? Get this awesome pregnancy planner. Be prepared and ready for your baby 🙂
Well mama, if you’re 6 weeks pregnant and worried because your 6 week pregnancy ultrasound appointment didn’t show a baby. You are not alone. Many women go through this.
Yes, it can be scary but have faith and know that you are too early in your pregnancy. Wait until your 8th week sonogram appointment to hopefully confirm a growing embryo.
Good luck mama!
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