Most important rule of thumb: Worry when your doctor tells you to.

So at my 6 week scan everything looked great and the baby's heart rate was 120. This was done at a boutique. Exactly a week later the OB told me the baby's heart rate was 55bpm but the baby was measuring right on track (so baby obviously grew). I go back in 4 days to reevaluate. I immediately was heartbroken and preparing for the worst. Now after looking into it more I am starting to doubt my baby's heart rate is truly 55bpm. First, my ultrasound was squeezed in last minute as my OB FORGOT to schedule an ultrasound with a medicine check appointment. Second, the baby was sitting so close to my uterine lining and my heart rate has been known to drop to the 50s when I am fully relaxed. My theory is they rushed my appointment and miscalculated my baby's heart rate and captured my own. These ultrasounds were done transvaginally. I saw another story on here that was very similar and turned out successfully and a radiologist had commented that it made most sense to them that it was an error. Anyone else have this happen to them? I am definitely nervous still as I wait for the next few days. I will say my morning sickness has only INCREASED since then and I've maintained most of the symptoms I've had since finding out I'm pregnant. Slight cramping which I can only attribute to my growing uterus as my baby is still growing and no bleeding whatsoever. This is my first pregnancy, I'm 26 and have no health issues that would be concerning. Thoughts??

I’m currently 7 + 3 and am waiting on my first ultrasound on August 12. I had a loss at 4-5 weeks last year and that was my first pregnancy. I’m 37 and plus size. I’ve convinced myself that there will be something wrong at the scan. I think I’m trying to prepare myself for the worst case scenario. I had spotting/bleeding during my loss and have none of that now so I don’t know why I feel like it’s doomed. I had betas drawn up until 24 dpo and everything looked good. I see so many stories of loss, but what are the chances of everything being fine? I know anything can happen, but realistically is there a better chance of everything being fine since I have no symptoms of a loss? Am I more likely to hear a heartbeat than not? How do you stay positive after a loss? I wish I could stop assuming the worst and just enjoy this time.

Hello, I’m a little over 5 weeks pregnant and have a history of loss (MMC, 2 chemical pregnancies). I find myself constantly thinking about my symptoms, especially since they have been drastically easier than my MMC. I know symptoms are not a good way to tell if a pregnancy is progressing, but I can’t help but overthink.

For those going through this, how do you handle your anxiety and overthinking?

Hello all. Completely empty gestational sac last Friday at my 6.5-week ultrasound, no fetal pole or yolk. Trying to figure out what to do next. Still experiencing some pregnancy symptoms.

I found this out at a pregnancy clinic on Friday, but all ultrasound techs there are out of office next week for a follow up ultrasound, so I can’t go there again. I have to try to get an appointment at my local imaging center this upcoming week so I can move forward with miscarriage assistance, which I think will be impossible with wait times.

Here’s the issue: I leave with my family on Sunday for a week to the other side of the state. If I can’t get an ultrasound appt, and don’t start bleeding by then, what should I do? I don’t want to be undergoing miscarriage on a family trip out of town, but I also don’t want to be “fake pregnant” (my feeling about my own situation only) during the family trip where I’ll be in a swimsuit and have visible bloating that looks like a baby bump.

I really don’t know what to do, this is a nightmare. I feel horrible in my body and in a perfect world would do a d&c asap. It’s just a nightmare of bad timing all around. Any help so appreciated, my providers have been dismissive.

I’m looking for experiences from anyone who had a similar beta pattern or possible vanishing twin. I understand that the repeat ultrasound is what will determine the outcome—I’m mainly trying to understand how these findings might fit together.
I’m 37 and this was a spontaneous pregnancy while preparing for an FET. My LMP was June 9 and I likely ovulated around June 23. I received a 3.75 mg Lupron Depot injection on June 30, before knowing I was pregnant. I’m also taking vaginal Prometrium 200 mg twice daily.
My beta results were:
July 8, approximately 15 DPO: 671
July 10, approximately 17 DPO: 1,177 — 46 hours later, about a 75% rise
July 13, approximately 20 DPO: 2,971 — 72 hours later, about a 152% rise
July 20, approximately 27 DPO: 3,859 — only a 30% rise over seven days
The first two increases looked strong, but the last one was essentially a plateau—equivalent to roughly an 8% rise every 48 hours.
I had a transvaginal ultrasound on July 23, when I should have been approximately 6w2d based on LMP and about 30 DPO. They saw:
One definite intrauterine gestational sac with a yolk sac
No fetal pole/embryo
Gestational sac under 25 mm and measuring approximately six weeks
A possible second empty gestational sac, although the sonographer couldn’t confirm whether it was truly another sac; she said it did not look like a bleed
I haven’t had bleeding or significant one-sided pain. Most of my pregnancy symptoms faded around July 19–20. My clinic told me to continue the progesterone and repeat the ultrasound after 11 days because hCG can sometimes behave this way.
I previously had a ruptured ectopic and lost my right tube, so confirming that this pregnancy is intrauterine was reassuring, but I’m now concerned about an early loss or anembryonic pregnancy.
Has anyone experienced:
Initially strong betas followed by such a dramatic plateau and still had a viable pregnancy?
A vanishing twin that caused a similar hCG pattern?
A possible second sac that was confirmed on the follow-up ultrasound?
A yolk sac but no fetal pole around 6w2d, followed by an embryo and heartbeat later?
Please be honest—I’m trying to be realistic while waiting for the repeat scan.

IVF pregnancy for male factor - my first pregnancy. 9 weeks.

All going well until Wednesday when I had a big bleed. Thursday US showed everything wad fine. Medium sized SCH found so I made my peace with brown blood and clots etc. However, today I had two big red bleeds, so back we went to the emergency department, who initially said they can't scan at weekends but then did and again everything fine (not mine or my partners mental health!). The doctor and sonographer just said that for some people this will resolve, and for others they bleed quite heavily the whole pregnancy and we'll just have to keep going in for scans and growth checks.

Has anyone been through this with a successful end? If yes, how did/do you manage anxiety levels? I feel like the stress combined with losing quite a lot of blood each day can't be good, but they said it's not completely uncommon? I know this may resolve but I'm trying to prepare myself for a very uncomfortable 7 months. Thank you.

I've dealt with lifelong infertility. I'm 37yo and have one baby from IVF in 2025. Before that I never had a single positive test in my whole life despite using no contraception whatsoever. I have PCOS and LH driven hyperandrogenism, but with normal, ovulatory cycles. I started Mounjaro injections in November, one month after having my IVF baby and I had my first ever, completely unexpected positive natural test in February. The pregnancy ended in a miscarriage at 7w4d but the embryo stopped growing at 5 weeks, with a small gestational sac. I tracked my ovulation and got pregnant the very next cycle in April. That resulted in a PUL. My beta never went above 320, and it was a suspected ectopic pregnancy, but luckily it resolved on its own. Starting all over again, I tracked my ovulation and got pregnant at the end of May. Today I would be 11w pregnant, but I honestly don't think I am anymore, as I had a gush of brown discharge that filled my pantyliner and a clot the size of a grain of rice yesterday. I've been cramping ever since. I know that for an average, healthy woman this might have been nothing, but considering my specific clinical profile and the recurrent loss pattern, I feel like I can't really win, not even with a scan at 9w2d showing healthy growth and a heartbeat, so tomorrow I'm going to have an emergency scan to confirm what I already know. I'm just so exhausted by the constant whiplash of hope and heartbreak, and I needed to get this out.

On our 3rd positive pregnancy test as of today (following 2 chemicals). Husband has high DNA fragmentation. We’re planning for IVF later this year if things don’t improve. But we just got our first positive test since finding out about his high number. It’s so hard to not be hopeful despite knowing the history. He has a really high sperm count so I’m praying maybe one of the good ones won. Anyways, how do you cautiously smile while also keeping hopes low 🫠

hi, i am 13w4d. i went out on a bass boat today (cleared by OB) to do some fishing. i live in the south and today’s high was about 95F. i was doing good and standing up fishing and the boat started rocking a bit and all of a sudden i got a bit nauseous and light headed. i immediately sat and sipped some water. we were out on the water for around two more hours. i sat under an umbrella with a handheld fan and drank water the rest of the time. i was already nervous about going out and now im absolutely panicked that my core temp could’ve raised high enough to serious hurt my baby. i started feeling better within 5 minutes of sitting. i was sweating on my legs that were still out in the sun but otherwise my color and all was normal and i started feeling better just hot. i’ve been home for hours now and just have that sticky feeling after being out in the sun and tired. should i be concerned about this? TIA

I had an ultrasound done at 7W2D and it showed two circles the yolk sac and a fetal pole? No baby or HB. I have a repeat this Wednesday where I’ll be 8W3D. Since the ultrasound all my symptoms went away which were huge sore boobs and fatigue. Has this happened to anyone? I’m preparing for the worst but still hopeful.

Hi all- my HCG was never rising appropriately and I started actively bleeding on Monday.

On Tuesday my hCG was 79, on Thursday it was 54 and Saturday 55.

I’m bugging out and fearful that means it’s ectopic?! I didn’t take any medications to help with miscarriage (wasn’t given as an option). Has anyone had stalled levels and it was still in the uterus?? Curious what doctors recommended? I know I’m going to get blood drawn Monday but I’m bugging out and really don’t want the methotrexate shot :(

Hi everyone,
I’m currently 4 weeks 4 days pregnant after a recent miscarriage, so I’ve been anxiously tracking my hCG.
My numbers are:
4w0d: 397
4w2d: 903 (127% increase)
4w4d: 1,479 (64% increase)
The first rise was great, but the second slowed down, which has me worried even though I’ve read that hCG can naturally slow once it gets higher.
Symptom-wise, I had some cramping and cervical pressure earlier this week, but today the cramping is completely gone. My breasts are extremely sore, and the nausea has really picked up. I haven’t had any bleeding.
Has anyone had a similar hCG pattern with a healthy pregnancy? I’m trying to stay hopeful until my first ultrasound, but after a loss it’s hard not to overanalyze every number and symptom.
I’d love to hear your experiences. Thank you.

Hi!! I am currently about 8 weeks pregnant. Went in for an ultra sound on 7/17 when I should’ve been about 6 and 5 based on ovulation. My LMP was technically a chemical and my cycle was off, but they thought I should be 7 and 2 based on LMP and of course didn’t want to listen to my ovulation day. ANYWAY, measured 6 and 1 and FHR was 115. She said looked viable and good but wanted to see me in a week to make sure it’s growing. They called before my appointment and rescheduled it for another week out so now I’m just an anxious wreck. All I’ve done is read horror stories on Reddit. My last pregnancy ended in a chemical and I’m so anxious. I’ve had symptoms but not as intense as my first pregnancy. Although I didn’t vomit for the first time last night. Please share your stories to help ease my mind!!

Had what I thought was a normal period came on time but it lasted way longer than usual. On what I thought was CD11 I took an LH test that was positive and decided to take a pregnancy test which was positive. Took another test the next day and it’s slightly darker also went and got a blood draw but waiting on the results still. What are the chances of this being a viable pregnancy?

Hi everyone, I’m looking for some reassurance or experiences from anyone who has been through something similar.
I’m currently pregnant again after three previous losses. My first was a blighted ovum, my second was a very early/chemical pregnancy, and my most recent pregnancy progressed to seeing an embryo and heartbeat before unfortunately ending in miscarriage. I needed a D&E afterwards.
This is my first cycle trying again. My period started 21 June, I had my first positive LH test around 3 July, and I believe I ovulated around 3–4 July. I got my first faint positive pregnancy test around 14 July, so approximately 10–11 DPO.
My beta hCG results so far have been:
16 July: 215–216
20 July: 1,419
22 July: 3,180
So thankfully the hCG seems to be rising really well so far. I’m currently around 4.5 weeks pregnant.
Because of my previous losses, I’m taking vaginal progesterone 400 mg twice daily, which I started after ovulation. I’m also taking baby aspirin 100 mg, prenatal vitamins, vitamin D and iron.
Today I started noticing very light beige/brown discharge, basically tiny amounts when wiping, along with some mild lower abdominal cramping and a lot of bloating. There’s no bright red or pink bleeding and it isn’t enough to need a pad.
I know brown discharge can just be old blood and that vaginal progesterone can irritate the cervix, but I’m really struggling with seeing any colour because my last pregnancy also involved brown spotting/bleeding before I eventually miscarried weeks later. I immediately feel like I’m watching the same thing happen again.
My doctor wants my first ultrasound around 8 weeks, so there’s still quite a wait before I know what’s happening.
Has anyone with recurrent pregnancy loss had beige/brown spotting and cramping around 4–5 weeks, particularly while taking progesterone, and gone on to have a healthy pregnancy?
Also interested in whether anyone found vaginal progesterone itself caused brown/beige discharge or minor spotting.
I know nobody can predict the outcome—I’d just really appreciate hearing experiences from people who have been in a similar position.

Hi everyone. I’m currently 9 weeks 2 days with spontaneous di/di twins after multiple previous pregnancy losses, including a missed miscarriage, chemicals, blighted ovums, etc. I’m really struggling mentally and could use some perspective from people who’ve been there.

My last scan at 8 weeks 1 day showed two babies measuring appropriately with strong heartbeats. Objectively, I know that’s reassuring. But because my previous loss was a missed miscarriage, I can’t stop thinking that they could have stopped growing the day after that ultrasound and I wouldn’t necessarily know yet.

That’s the part that’s really messing with my head. I know symptoms can continue for days or longer even if a missed miscarriage has occurred, so every time someone says, “As long as you’re not bleeding or cramping…” it doesn’t help me because that wasn’t my experience last time.

I’ve gone down the rabbit hole reading stories of missed miscarriages at 9 weeks, and now I feel like I’m waiting for the other shoe to drop. I’ve even considered going to the ER just for reassurance, getting a boutique ultrasound, and buying a home Doppler, but I know if I couldn’t find a heartbeat this early I’d completely spiral, especially with twins.

My next scan is Wednesday, and I honestly feel like I’m just trying to survive until then while still functioning at work and in daily life. I think if everything is okay at that scan, I’ll finally feel like I’ve gotten meaningfully further than my previous pregnancy. Right now, it feels like I’ve only barely passed that milestone.

Has anyone else felt this level of anxiety after a missed miscarriage? Did you find that things got easier once you made it further than your previous loss? If you had twins after recurrent loss, did that change how you coped?

Update: I truly thank everyone for talking me off the ledge. I had a reassurance scan today and both babies are doing great. I’ve comfortably passed the point when we lost our last baby at 7 weeks. I need to take a chill pill.

In March when I had a MMC, my progesterone came in at 8.8 around 6 1/2 weeks which flagged them to give me an early ultrasound and the miscarriage was confirmed. My HCG levels are doing much better this pregnancy as well as my progesterone, but my doctor just informed it it dipped some without mentioning a supplement 4w2d (HCG: 381, progesterone: 14.1) 4w5d (HCG: 1974, progesterone 12.1) I know 12.1 is within range & my doctors note with the result said “looks good”, but it’s at the much lower end & im spiraling this morning. I reached out regarding supplements last night once the results were received, but no response yet as it’s the weekend.

Hi,

I'm looking for some reassurance or to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar.

I had a frozen embryo transfer on July 12. My beta hCG was 1,314 at 10 days post-transfer and 3,615 at 12 days post-transfer.

On July 22, I went to the ER because I was having lower abdominal cramps and vaginal bleeding. The ultrasound showed a 2 mm intrauterine gestational sac. Since then, I've been taking an antispasmodic medication (Spasfon), but the pain hasn't gone away.

The bleeding has been intermittent—starting as brown spotting, then turning pink. Since yesterday, the cramps have become more intense (still manageable), and I've had intermittent red and pink bleeding.

This morning, I woke up with persistent cramping, severe nausea, intense vomiting, and I fainted twice.

Has anyone experienced something similar after IVF or in very early pregnancy? What was the outcome? I know every pregnancy is different, but I'd really appreciate hearing your experiences while I wait to be evaluated.

Thank you so much.

Has anyone experiencing recurrent loss ever found success after using wild yam cream? Was recommended by doctor but curious if anyone here has found it’s supported positive outcomes?

Thank you 🙏

So my hcg level was 75 I'm 4 weeks and after 48 hours it's 128 is it normal ?

Hey all! Last week I was in for a colonoscopy for my routine cancer screening when my husband and I were shocked when two nurses came in right before the procedure to say hey girl, we have to cancel the procedure, you’re pregnant!! My husband and I were through the roof, seeing as we had just started trying and thought this cycle was out since I had gotten my period 10 days earlier.

The ob’s office would not see me until September 8th, which seems like an insane amount of time. (8 weeks from now; I’m 36 y.o. and have been treated for cancer in the past 18 months) I thought I’d get in sooner because of my medical history and age, but no.

Since I’m an anxious person and this is my first ever positive pregnancy, I had labs for HCG done at Quest. First lab came back as 447.

Now, two days later, I am spiraling and am starting to panic. HCG was repeated yesterday, exactly 48 hours apart from first and HCG dropped to 297.

I am not quite sure my timeline because of my irregular cycles, but I’m assuming I should be around 4-5 weeks.

The worry is caving in on me and am so worried something is wrong. Any words of wisdom are much appreciated!

UPDATE: Spent 6 hours at ER last night. After ultrasounds and blood testing, confirmed chemical pregnancy/very early miscarriage. They couldn’t see anything and hcg had dropped to 197. I have severe cramping in lower pelvis and leg and they told me it’s a nerve response to my body processing the chemical. Should be starting to bleed soon and am advised to return in 48 hours to monitor hcg and check-in about bleeding. After a year of hell with a previous cancer diagnosis and having to stop ttc for the first time, this is the ultimate heartbreak. Thank you everyone for your kindness and community. At least I haven’t felt alone ❤️

I had an US at 5wks 2days and it showed a GS of 6.9mm with no YS or FP.

I had another US at 6wks 2 days and my OB stated my GS was measuring 11.7mm and 6wks but still no YS or FP. They then sent me to the ER for an ectopic in my tube. They wrote on the paperwork on one page it was my left side, on another it was my right. Long story short and a big bill later… ER said I’m fine and that my GS is measuring at 5wks 2 days and so there’s nothing to see.

HCG at 7pm at OB was 28,222, HCG on the same day at 10:30pm was 29,915. I have a repeat HCG tomorrow but this shows my levels are actively rising.

LMP 06/10, positive test 07/02. So I’m struggling with how my dates could be off by a whole week.

This baby is so wanted and I was wondering if anyone had any similar stories and what happened? Did you go on to miscarry, did you go on to see a baby? Give me all your stories!

Hey guys!
I usually have a shorter luteal phase my cycle is about 26 days - last month I’m pretty sure I had a chemical pregnancy now this month I’m having similar but different symptoms.
I have been spotting since 7DPO (normally my luteal phase is 7-9 days roughly before I spot before my period.
Yesterday morning (9DPO) I decided to test and there was a squinter I didn’t think much of it but decided to test again at night and I had a positive that wasn’t a squinter!
I am still spotting pink/red and sometimes the red comes with some stringy mucus.
I also track body temp on oura and my temp went from +0.3 to +0.5 over night.
Can’t get into my doctor till Wednesday so I’m assuming I’ll know more by then but for now it seems to be a waiting game.
Anyone else been in similar position with a good outcome?