8 week ultrasound and no visible foetus?

Question

I had a transabdominal ultrasound today and the sonographer told me my bladder was too full. She saw something there and measured it (I will come back to this) and told me she would need to do a transvaginal ultrasound as she couldn't get a clear image due to my bladder being too full. She asked me to empty my bladder and come back, so I did.
She then proceeded to do a transvaginal ultrasound but could not find the foetus. The yolk sac was visible and the gestational sac was measuring at 24mm, which she said is correct for 8 weeks pregnant. She asked me if I was sure about my dates and I am 100% sure of my dates as I was tracking my periods, and ovulation, and got my first faint positive on the 19th of August.. I explained this to her and she said that they will need to check again in a week or so as she cannot find the foetus. 
She kept apologising and said it is unlikely this pregnancy will continue but that I need to speak with my gp about referring me to an early pregnancy unit in the hospital to re-check in a week. She said that this used to be referred to as a "blighted ovum" but is now just given the general term of "miscarriage". Upon doing my own research, I found that a blighted ovum is when a fertilised egg does not turn into an embryo, therefore does not grow.
She said that she did see something in the transabdominal scan but now she thinks it was the yolk sac. However, (and I'm no expert) the thing she measured was a solid white "blob", whereas the yolk sac was black with a white rim, so I'm not sure this was correct. She didn't take a picture of it so she couldn't go back to it to re-check..
This was not my doctor, in the UK we don't see our midwife/doctor until about 10 weeks so I have not had my booking appointment yet, this was a private scan at an ultrasound clinic. I have booked an appointment with my gp, but it's not til Tuesday and I can't help but wonder if there's still hope.. has anyone else experienced this? What was the outcome?

Answer

I feel like she told you too much information, particularly information that could be incorrect. There’s a reason ultrasound technicians are not supposed to say much to you about what they see. They’re not a doctor and they actually are not allowed to make diagnoses or tell you if you are having a miscarriage or have some sort of condition or whatever else. Their job is to take photos, which she didn’t even do, and deliver it to the radiologist and doctor to read the imaging. The most they can say is measurements, whether they see a hand or foot or whatever other body part of the fetus, the heart rate, and if it’s a boy or girl. She shouldn’t have told you that you’re probably having a miscarriage or that your pregnancy probably won’t be continuing. She doesn’t even know that! And that’s unnecessary worry for you until you speak to an actual professional doctor.

Answer

I had a very similar experience and ended up miscarrying a few days later. By 8 weeks you should definitely be able to see a fetus and a heartbeat. I am so sorry.

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Just makes me think that this person was not very experienced... I understand that for 8 weeks you wouldn’t see anything on an abdominal ultrasound, at this early stage it’s always done transvaginal, why would she do it abdominal? ... I hope this person made a mistake and all is fine with your pregnancy!

Answer

General rule of thumb is if your not bleeding then there’s hope! Im uk also, and don’t see baby until my 12 week scan but the dr/midwife isnt usually concerned in early pregnancy until there’s a symptom. I’ve had a miscarriage and an ectopic pregnancy which were all picked up via transvaginal scans, not sure why she’d do an abdominal can so early as there really isnt much to see. Just keep positive and see what midwife says
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Answer

I had an abdominal ultrasound done at my 8 week appointment and there was clear visual of both of my fetuses.

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This happened to me. Although I was 6 weeks. I went to an early pregnancy clinic at my local hospital and they couldn’t find anything I went back a week later turns out they the original sonographer couldn’t find anything because I have a tilted uterus and baby was really tucked into the side

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Hmm😞 hard to say, im in the uk by 7 weeks they want to see everything unfortunately. Wishing you the very best x

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I hate being negative. But this happened to my best friend and indeed, no baby. BUT she did fall pregnant months later.

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Hi all, thank you for your comments and advice.. unfortunately, my pregnancy journey has come to an end. I ended up going into the hospital and baby had stopped growing at about 5-6 weeks.. they scanned me, and then rescanned me a week later to make sure, so today I found out I will be having surgery to remove the miscarriage on Thursday, unless of course my body miscarries naturally between now and then.. I wish everyone well in their pregnancies!

8 week ultrasound and no visible foetus?

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