We Were Unable to Confirm the Viability of Your Pregnancy Today
We inform, you decide.
3 Possible Reasons
Very early pregnancy • Ectopic pregnancy • Miscarriage
A second ultrasound will allow us to confirm the viability of your pregnancy without eliminating any of your pregnancy options.
Very Early Pregnancy
- Some pregnancy tests can detect the presence of the pregnancy hormone hCG within a few weeks of conception.
- The presence of hCG alone does not mean that you are really pregnant, or that you have a pregnancy that will continue naturally.
- In addition to a positive pregnancy test, confirmation of pregnancy requires:
- Visualization of a gestational sac within the uterus
- Visualization of a baby within the gestational sac
- Presence of a fetal heartbeat
- Pregnancy can typically be confirmed via ultrasound by about 6 weeks gestation.
- Ensure that your pregnancy has been confirmed, located, and found viable before pursuing any treatment options.
Before scheduling any risky medical procedure such as an abortion, you should confirm that your pregnancy is viable and will not end naturally on its own.
Signs of Complications
- Bleeding greater than your typical period
- Cramping pain in your pelvis, lower back, or lower abdomen
- A gush of warm liquid or the passage of tissue (not just blood clots) from your vagina
- Severe pain centered on one side of the abdomen or pelvis
- Lightheadedness, dizziness, or blackouts, which may be a sign of low blood pressure and internal bleeding
- Bleeding may or may not be present
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.
Ectopic Pregnancy
- Ectopic pregnancy1 is an urgent medical condition requiring immediate treatment.
- During a healthy pregnancy, a baby grows inside the uterus.
- During an ectopic pregnancy, a baby may grow in a fallopian tube, ovary, or cervix.
Diagnosis
Ectopic pregnancy may be diagnosed by a combination of the following:
- A pelvic exam
- Blood tests to check pregnancy hormone levels
- An ultrasound to confirm the location of the baby
Treatment
- Medication can be used to treat some early ectopic pregnancies without requiring surgery.
- If your physician determines that medication is not a possible treatment, surgery may be necessary to remove the baby, placenta, and perhaps the fallopian tube.
Miscarriage
- Miscarriage,2 also known as “spontaneous abortion,” is the loss of a preborn baby less than halfway (20 weeks) through a full-term pregnancy.
- Miscarriage is the most common complication of early pregnancy. About half of all pregnancies end on their own, many before the woman even realizes she is pregnant.
- Miscarriage is often a difficult experience for women. It is important to remember that most women who miscarry are able to have a healthy baby later.
Diagnosis
Miscarriage may be diagnosed by a combination of:
- Blood tests to measure falling hormone levels
- A pelvic exam
- The inability of a diagnostic ultrasound to demonstrate a beating heart after six or more weeks of life
Treatment
- If the baby and all pregnancy tissue has been passed, you may be treated with medication and monitored by your physician.
- If some tissue remains in your uterus after a miscarriage, you may need to have a surgical procedure to remove it in order to prevent infection.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (2018). Ectopic Pregnancy. Retrieved June 2021 from https://www.acog.org/Patients/FAQs/Ectopic-Pregnancy
- National Institutes of Health, US National Library of Medicine (2021). Miscarriage. Retrieved May 2021 from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001488.htm