Fetal Heart Rate Low at 6 Weeks 4 Days, Any Hope??

Updated on July 20, 2009
C.W. asks from Sedalia, MO
10 answers

hi folks, i'm freakin out. i've recently found out we're expecting...this is my second husband and i already have 3 children from a previous marriage and he has two already, but this is to be our first and possibly only together. we'd been trying for almost a year with no success, so i kinda thought i just couldn't anymore. i made a few diet changes hoping to become healthier in hopes it'd help me get pregnant and cutting out aspartame and soda and eating healthier in general obviously didn't hurt cuz last week we confirmed pregnancy, BUT now, today i had a little bleeding and some cramping (but i'd been constipated, so the cramps weren't a huge concern...but we didn't have intercourse yesterday, so the bright red blood worried me). a trip to ER resulted in finding out there's fluid outside the gestational sac (we're thinking blood), that i'm still pregnant (hcG level at 3400 or so), and fetus looks to be developed at around 6 1/2 weeks, BUT his (her?) heart rate's only 60 and this could mean fetal death, so i'm very sad and worried. if everything isn't okay, this would be my second miscarriage which statistically speaking means odds are against me to have another healthy pregnancy :( is there any hope of survival? any idea of what i can do? i'm on pelvic rest and just waiting to see basically. i appreciate hearing from others who've experienced this - especially if your baby made it! we're praying for a miracle!

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R.N.

answers from Kansas City on

get some rest and try not to stress to much its not good for the baby. I am now 19 weeks with my 3rd child had a sono at 6 week and heart rate was 72 fertility dr was not at all concerned about this he said that when the heart developes and starts to pump it starts out slow and as the weeks go on it picks up speed.he also said the best thing at this stage was rest and don't stress yourself out. for me the heart rate is now 157. you will be in my prayers Good luck..

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L.S.

answers from St. Louis on

What did the doctors tell you about the baby's survival? How are things going now? Try to relax- impossible I know, but added stress won't help either you or the baby....As hard as it may be, don't count yourself or the baby out....It is possible to have 2 miscarriages and still have healthy pregnancies...I had 2 at 14 weeks before my oldest was born. ..Keep us posted and good luck!

S.L.

answers from Kansas City on

I wish I had a lot of encouragement to give. But I will tell you what I know. I have had 3 miscarriages and 2 were later at 13 weeks. It's not supposed to happen that late that often. I was told that the most common cause of miscarriage is that the baby has a heart problem. Babies that make it with heart problems go on to be babies with heart problems and nature doesn't really intend for us to be born just to die. So as sad as the miscarriage process is, it's actually more natural than we might want to understand.

What I can tell you that is positive is that I have 4 lovely daughters. So you really don't need to think about those statistics. LOTS of people have miscarriages and many of us have several and still have very healthy children. My 4 girls are perfect in every way and I am about to have my first healthy grandson in just a few weeks time!

Just pray and I will join you now. I hope for you and this little one the best in God's timing. But if it's not his time now, just keep making those changes and leave it in God's hand. Your time can come again.

Suzi

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S.D.

answers from Topeka on

Make a followup appt. with your Ob or midwife.I'm sure you've contacted them to let them start seeing you for your prenatal care.I know that with my 3rd pregancy I was told that I will be seen @ 10 weeks not the 6 weeks of pregnancy.

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A.C.

answers from Kansas City on

C.,

I just wanted to let you know you will be in my thoughts and prayers today. Rest and take care of yourself and I really hope it all works out!

A.

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A.D.

answers from Kansas City on

C.,
My thoughts and prayers are with you...as others said, there is not a lot you can do at this point to change the outcome either way...it's in God's hands and He knows what is right, as much as it hurts sometimes.
The low heartrate is worrysome, but do not let anyone tell you the situation is hopeless. Anything can happen. It can be worth checking the HCG every 2 days to see if it continues to increase (approx. double) for a week or 2 as you wait for a follow up ultrasound.
Around 6 weeks, when the heart starts beating, it can be very erratic going from slow to fast to slow as it figures out how it's supposed to work. Are your dates from your last period about consistant with the dates they are giving you on ultrasound? (about 6 1/2 weeks ago?)
In my current pregnancy, I was told that that I was miscarrying. I was bleeding red and cramping early on and the baby was measuring small on ultrasound with an erratic heartbeat, but it turned out all was ok! I am now 20 weeks pregnant with what appears to be a healthy little boy!
Miracles can happen.
That being said, if things don't work out as hoped with this pregnancy, 2 miscarriages does NOT mean you can't carry a child to term. See your doc, they can test for a few things, and often there can be a simple solution if something isn't working optimally.
Thinking of you and sending hugs. I know how hard the waiting is...
A.

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T.A.

answers from Wichita on

My brother & his family just went through this. My nephew's heart rate was in the 50's throughout the pregnancy and they told them he would likely not survive to birth or, if he did, probably wouldn't live long. However, I am happy to say, the doctors were WRONG!! My nephew was born in January and a few days later had his first operation to have a pacemaker installed. He is now 6 months old and doing well. They continue to monitor him and he will need another surgery sometime after his first birthday. He is in every way a normal baby. Reaching all the standard milestones at the right times.

What I don't know, however, if she had any of the bleeding problems you are having. That is another issue, but the low heart rate in and of itself does not necessarily mean you are losing your baby. I wish you all the best and hope things turn out well!

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K.W.

answers from St. Louis on

I agree with Suzi about forgetting about statistics. Statistics just scare and discourage you. I turned 40 in November of 2005. I found out in late March that I was pregnant. I went to the doctor for my 6 week check up. My doctor always does a vaginal ultrasound at 6 weeks so he can get a heartbeat. There was nothing to be seen on the ultrasound. I WAS pregnant, it was not a "chemical" pregnancy, it was real. He told me that my pregnancy was not "viable", I really dislike that word. Took hormone levels, and made me come back in 2 days for more. They dropped. He had me come back two days later for another ultrasound, and confirmed that I was having a miscarriage. This was Monday to Friday. I chose to have the miscarriage naturally and waited things out. Here is where statistics come in. After my miscarriage, my doc gave me the go ahead to get pregnant right away, however he warned me that being over 40, I had a 50% chance of miscarrying again. By July I was pregnant. And today I have a beautiful healthy 3 year old daughter. The pregnancy was perfect, with the exception of my paranoia because of the previous miscarriage.

I don't know why God allows certain things to happen. I do know that in my case, my husband was very unhappy about the first pregnancy. He told me while they were taking my blood to test the first hormone levels that he didn't want a baby, but he didn't want what was happening even more. When I got pregnant with Hannah, my hubby was completely on board, his heart was softened.

I will pray for you. I truly hope you don't have to endure this. I hope that your baby is fine and you have a healthy pregnancy. If you need someone to talk to I am here. I do understand.

(((HUGS)))

~K.~

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L.B.

answers from St. Louis on

C.,
My thoughts and hopes are with you and your baby. I hope you are able to take good care of your self.

L.

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J.K.

answers from St. Louis on

Hang in there and like another mommy said, IGNORE THE STATISTICS. It won't make it any easier while you're waiting. Know that we're all in this motherhood thing together and we're all pulling for you and your baby. Good luck!

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