Gestational Sac on External Ultrasound

Ja

Jasmine

Hello everyone,

I have a confusion about the gestational sack and when is the earliest time it can be seen on the external ultrasound?

Every reference I read online says that at 4-5 weeks pregnancy, gestational sack can be seen from an internal/vaginal ultrasound. So when I visited my doctor in my 4w, she only checked me externally (which is fine because vaginal one scares me somehow but anything for the baby), and there was nothing. One very small dot she told me it could be the possibility but nothing to be sure of yet. She just told me my uterus lining is thick so it’s a sign of a pregnancy.

But is it normal for the gestational sack not to be seen? Anyone had it before? Cause the online comments are too scary as it directly talks about ectopic pregnancy. Also my beta hcg level is 1608, and something should be seen on over 1600 I think. Never knew stepping into motherhood is that worrisome even in the first week

183 views • 0 upvotes • 11 comments

COMMENT (11)

Ra

Posted at
Where I’m from they won’t scan unless your hcg is above 2000 and that’s with internal, they won’t do external until your 12w!

Ja

Jasmine • Jan 11, 2024
They did external on my first visit and I was only 3 days late since my last period. I was surprised too

Ta

Posted at
Ultrasound tech here 🙋🏼‍♀️ a transabdominal ultrasound probably wouldn’t show anything until around 5 weeks. Even then it’s hard to see on most! Just saw my little sac today at 4+6!

Ja

Jasmine • Jan 17, 2024
Omg!! Congrats!! Wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy! Was it a transvaginal ultrasound? I think by the time I checked I wasn’t even in my 5th week because I realized it very early but I tend to worry about everything. At which week do you think it’s to book an appointment for a transabdominal ultrasound to be able to see anything?

As

Posted at
Agree with OP, at such an early date you should be only done internally as they won’t see anything

Ja

Jasmine • Jan 11, 2024
Yeah it was weird they did an external one. Thanks for the comment btw ☺️

An

Posted at
Internal should’ve been done to see clearly it’s rare to see anything externally that early!

Ja

Jasmine • Jan 11, 2024
Ugh I feel the days aren’t passing and I want my baby grown alreadyy

Al

Posted at
Typically hcg has to be over 1800. For most women it’s right around 5w. And even then, very tricky to see with an abdominal ultrasound. Everything sounds normal from what you described

Ja

Jasmine • Jan 11, 2024
Thanks, it’s refreshing. My doctor seemed to be expecting to see something and I got surprised too 😂

To

Posted at
That sounds normal to me.