M 19 and just found out I'm pregnant using a home pregnancy test. When I went to the hospital to confirm this they done a scan and then told me they had found a sac in my womb which was 2.7mm, but nothing inside. I think I am 2-3 weeks pregnant as I had my last period as normal and taken 2 pregnancy tests in the previous weeks which were negative. However, they said that it looks like I'm 6 weeks pregnant according to the size of the sac ( although on various sites on the net it said that if you are 4-6 weeks pregnant the sac is 5-6mm. ) they then went on to say that because nothing was found in the sac... im either going to have a miscarrage within the week or I will have an egtopic pregnancy. My partner and I are so scared and can't find out for another weeks if everything will be o.k. PLEASE could someone give us some reassurance or tell me if they know any useful info on this? We think the docs are wrong as someone told us that its very common not to find anything in a scan when your only 4 weeks pregnant? We can't tell ny friends or family because we don't want anyone to know just yet. I would be very thankful if someone could get back to me... louise xx
Posted on 08/30/07, 10:08 am

It is still very early, Im surprised they were even able to find the sac. At this early, its all really a bit of a guessing game. All they can really go by is your last menstral period (LMP) or the first day day of your last period... this is probably where they are getting the 6 weeks...

An empty sac, is often called a blighted ovum, and makes up for 50% of all miscarriages, typically if the baby can not be found by 10 weeks, it will be conclude that a miscarriage will or has occurred...

I have heard on occasion of women with a blighted ovum having heallthy baby's, but on average, I believe most miscarry. Just remember that if it does happen, while painful, there was most likely something wrong with the baby that would have kept it from thriving...

Did they say what your hormone levels were?

So, everything might still be OK?
If the sack is 2.7 mm should they have found something inside it or is this still very small?
Thanks for answering me.
You have been a good help xx

no it is small... at 6 weeks you should measure around 5.4mm X 6.7mm... but if you are indeed 4 weeks, it would be normal I think.

this may help... its small print, but may help ease your mind... Basic Imaging > Ultrasound of Fetal Biometrics and Growth (http://radiology.creighton.edu/fetalbio.htm#section2)

Like I said, I have heard of women with a blighted ovum carrying to full term with nice healthy baby's, but Im not sure really what the odds are... so there is hope..
but, and I don't want to scare you, but just prepare you, most of the cases I have heard of do end in miscarriage. I wish you luck...

I should clarify also, that typically those that do end up carrying a baby, were misdiagnosed to begin with... technically, if a yolk sac and baby is found later, it wasnever a blighted ovum... I have read that this particular misdiagnosis actually is most common in women with retroverted uterus (tilted)...

Forgive me but it sounds like your doctor is a fatalistic hack! You didn't say anything about the doctor keeping you under observation, or feeling anything but stressed. An ectopic pregnancy tends to make you feel sick, sore, tender, shooting pains through the lower stomach localized to either one side or the other and normally there would not have been a gestational sac. Main thing is, if the doc truly suspected an ectopic pregnancy he would have done something about it(they can cause mild to major health risks at between 6-8 weeks)did he request any blood work?? Home tests can first detect a pregnancy at between 14 and 28 days depending on the brand, it is common for there to be nothing visible inside the sac that early. There is a book called 'what to expect when you're expecting' it's very good, it might be a comfort to read through.

Hi There,
I was diagnosed with a Blighted Ovum at 6 weeks. They did 2 ultrasounds. But my sister on the other hand had the same situation as yours and went to carry on a healthy baby boy:o

Wish you the best, we are all here for you.

At two to three weeks your baby is still to small to pick up on the u/s. Chances are that you got preggy about 4-5 weeks ago and that the baby has only just implanted in the last couple of weeks. If this is your regular dr telling you all this you need to get a second opinion. Most people don't even know that their pregnant yet at this stage and most u/s tech's don't usually get to measure a growing fetus at this point, so honestly unless your in pain I wouldn't worry about it. Find another dr office and see if you can get another opinion.

I think it was at 8 weeks you see a heart beat, not sure, but by then you should know for sure. A second opinion is necessary