“At least there wasn’t really a baby.” I heard this phrase so often after my blighted ovum (BO) that I actually stopped telling people what type of loss it was. I just couldn’t take it anymore. For years, I’d tried to have a baby. For more than a month, I’d dreamed of my child’s life. And then, two miserable ultrasounds sent me into the tailspin of a miscarriage process. This is my blighted ovum story.
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What is a Blighted Ovum?
I’m going to answer this question two different ways. First, with a technical answer. Then, with a story.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a blighted ovum (also known as an “anembryonic pregnancy”) occurs when a “fertilized egg implants in the uterus and forms a gestational sac, but an embryo fails to develop within it.”
That’s the official explanation. In lay terms, that means the pregnancy stops growing before an embryo even develops–by the time you get your menstrual period, your chance of a healthy baby is gone, but your body may show no signs of anything being amiss.
For this reason, it’s one of the most frustrating types of miscarriage because it can take a long time to learn that your pregnancy isn’t viable, which means that you can continue to have pregnancy symptoms even while your pregnancy isn’t viable.
A Blighted Ovum Often Looks Like Any Other Pregnancy
But let me tell you what it really means to have a blighted ovum, from a physical and emotional perspective.
My first pregnancy was a blighted ovum, and do you know what it was? A pregnancy. Here’s what happened.
Husband and I spent a year-and-a-half trying to conceive. As we sat on the couch one night making a list of fertility questions to ask my GYN at my annual appointment the next day, I noticed a sharp pain in my left breast. Oh, the irony.
It suddenly hit me that the nausea I’d felt all weekend, the food aversions, and the outlandish craving for chicken sausage might not be a coincidence after all.
(That’s one thing a lot of people don’t tell you about a miscarriage–you can still experience morning sickness and other pregnancy symptoms. I know; It’s totally unfair.)
I rushed to the bathroom, having taken hundreds of pregnancy tests but having never seen a positive one.
I knew before the second pink line showed up that I would finally see a positive pregnancy test, but after trying for what felt like so long, I couldn’t possibly believe it.
That immediate and dark second pink line still wasn’t enough to convince me. I was in shock.
My Blighted Ovum Miscarriage Story
We prepared for our first ultrasound with nothing but sheer excitement. I had told Husband he wasn’t allowed to tell anyone about our pregnancy because it was “too early” to tell friends and family (I no longer believe in that concept, by the way–here’s my opinion on when to announce a pregnancy), but I didn’t actually think anything would go wrong.
Ever practical, Husband was more realistic about the possibility of miscarriage than I was. But watching my morning sickness and insane food aversions, he also thought everything was fine.
We sat in the waiting room at my doctor’s office filling out paperwork, and we looked over to see another couple sitting together excitedly, nervously, too early to show.We knew they were there for the same reason we were. I silently thought I should befriend this girl. After all, our babies would be about the same age.
To this day, I don’t know what held me back. But something did. Thank God something did.
I Should’ve Found Out that Day
My doctor wasn’t in the office that day, but since it was a routine ultrasound, no one was concerned by her absence.
When we were ushered into the ultrasound room, Husband’s reaction was hilarious. Apparently (and understandably), he didn’t know what women experience at the gynecologist.
He would learn far too well over the coming years of recurrent miscarriage.
The ultrasound technician told me to empty my bladder and put on a paper skirt. I followed her instructions with equal parts elation and nerves. Then, I plopped onto the table and put my legs up in the stirrups.
The color drained from Husband’s face. “What is she about to do to you?” he asked.
I chuckled at him. How could I not?
“I’ve never done this before,” I said, “But I’m pretty sure she’s going to stick a probe in my vagina and look around to show us the heartbeat.”
I’ve never seen his eyes so big. I could see exactly what he was thinking. “Dear God, I’m so glad I’m not a woman.”
He didn’t say it out loud, but I could see that it was there. All I could think was, “I hope this isn’t the first time you’ve realized how many ways a woman’s life is harder than yours.”
It wasn’t.
Signs of Blighted Ovum
Based on my last menstrual cycle and likely ovulation date, I was supposed to be about 7 weeks.
There was supposed to be a heartbeat.
The ultrasound tech was supposed to put the probe in my vagina, move it around uncomfortably a little, and then turn the screen in my direction and turn up the volume so I could hear that beautiful sound.
Buh-bum. Buh-bum. Buh-bum.
She was supposed to show me the flicker on the monitor and tell us it was our baby’s heart. Husband would take my hand, and we would look at each other and smile, teary-eyed.
That’s how this moment looks in the movies. That’s what I expected.
When the ultrasound technician got up to leave the room without turning up the volume or showing me the screen, I felt my heart drop down to the bottom of my gut.
“You can get dressed,” she told me. “A doctor will be in shortly.”
I started shaking. The room was suddenly very cold, and it was spinning a little. I got up, but I didn’t feel quite stable on my feet.
Was I feeling lightheaded, or were we having a small earthquake?
I couldn’t look at Husband to find out. I didn’t want to see him.
If I had looked at him, I’d have seen that he had no idea what was happening. He didn’t know the protocol or what was supposed to happen. He still thought everything was fine.
I Should’ve Asked for My Ultrasound to be Medically Reviewed
A few minutes later, the ultrasound technician returned.
She hadn’t been able to find an available doctor, so she was going to do what she wasn’t supposed to do. She was going to give us the news herself. Sort of.
“There’s no heartbeat yet,” she told us. “Your gestational sac looks good, but there’s not a yolk sac or fetal pole.”
I later learned that the yolk sac develops inside the gestational sac and is where the embryo grows. The fetal pole is the flicker that is the earliest sign of a heartbeat.
Shaking even more, and with the weight of this reality hitting Husband for the first time, I asked if there was any chance of viability.
I fume to this day when I recall her answer. Because it was utter bullshit.
“It could really go either way at this point,” she told me. “You might be earlier than we thought, or the pregnancy might not be viable.”
The only way to be sure was to wait a week and follow up with another ultrasound. She told me the chance was about 50/50.
Bullshit.
I should’ve waited for a doctor. A doctor would’ve been able to diagnose a blighted ovum as the likely scenario, even though I’d have still been told to come back a week later to confirm.
Questions to Ask When You Suspect a Blighted Ovum
There are times when the ultrasound tech’s words would’ve been true. But they weren’t true in my case, and I know that now because I know what questions I should’ve asked.
But at the time, I took her word for it and spent the next week in fear, waffling between predicting impending doom, and assuring myself everything was fine because I wasn’t bleeding or cramping and my pregnancy symptoms were intensifying.
Had my doctor been there, she probably would’ve used words like “threatened miscarriage” and “possible blighted ovum.” These are among the many different types of miscarriage.
But she also would have prepared me for the fact that this was almost definitely a blighted ovum.
If you find yourself in this situation, first, I’m terribly, terribly sorry. And second, please ask this important question:
“What is my gestational sac measuring?”
Had I known to ask this question, I could’ve processed my pregnancy loss earlier. I would’ve known that my empty gestational sac was measuring 7 ½ weeks, and that no heartbeat, not even a yolk sac at that point in pregnancy meant that my pregnancy was VERY likely not viable. I say very likely because measurements can be off for women with a tilted uterus (which I don’t have.)
[Editorial note: if you would like to know more about gestational sac measurements, we found this scientific article to be very helpful, and this article to be helpful for a general audience. The second article includes a gestational sac measurement chart reproduced from a medical study.]
I would’ve known that my follow-up appointment a week later was to confirm a loss, not to check on my pregnancy.
But I didn’t know these things.
Are There Any Blighted Ovum Success Stories?
I can’t tell you the number of times I Googled terms like “blighted ovum success stories” and “no heartbeat at 7 weeks, healthy pregnancy.”
But ultimately, what I found served to hurt me. It gave me false hope that I didn’t know not to have.
And while temporary hope can be helpful for some women, it absolutely broke me when I found out my pregnancy was definitely not viable.
What I Want You to Know When it Comes to a Blighted Ovum
Oh mama, if you’re in this position right now, I am so sorry. And there are a few things I want you to know:
- First, you’re not alone. Blighted ovums are among the most common type of early miscarriage. So many of us have been there.
- Second, YES, YOU WERE PREGNANT! Your body produced all the hormones and went through all the motions. You imagined your pregnancy, your birth, and the life of the your child. The fact that those hopes will not become reality does NOT take away your experience.
- Third, people can say hurtful things, even more so if they know your loss was a blighted ovum. Ignore those people! Also, send them this link so they can learn what not to say to someone who had a miscarriage, which again, includes you!
What else would you like to know about my blighted ovum story?
More miscarriage articles
- What to expect when you miscarry
- After miscarriage, what to do
- Fathers dealing with miscarriage
- Why you don’t have to attend a baby shower after miscarriage
- Recurrent miscarriage testing
- Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month
- International Wave of Light
Healing from miscarriage
- Coping with miscarriage grief
- Creating a miscarriage memorial
- Books about miscarriage
- Miscarriage tattoos
- Miscarriage quotes
More miscarriage stories
- Whitney’s story of back-to-back miscarriages
- Beth’s ectopic pregnancy story
- Dawn’s miscarriage after unplanned pregnancy
- Faith’s story of termination for medical reasons
- Nicole’s medical abortion story
During my last ultrasound the person who did the ultrasound told me that things didn’t look well as the sac was empty and she couldn’t even see a yolk in it. However my doctor asked me to wait one more week to do another ultrasound. The problem is that I am not sure when my last period was, so she wants to make sure is not too early.
I think I was around 7 weeks when I had the ultrasound done, so there should have been something in there by then. I have almost any hope that the pregnancy will be viable and the wait until the next ultrasound is killing me. I just want all of this to be over. We are in the middle of this pandemic, I work full time, my child is not attending childcare due to restrictions around covid… and now this. I have pregnancy symptoms and I feel miserable. I just want it all removed from my body to be able to move on.
Thanks for sharing your story. It’s good to know there is someone out there that can understand how this feels.
I’m so sorry you’re going through this. There are plenty of women out there who know exactly how you feel, and we’re here to support you through it. Times are too hard to have to deal with this on top of it. Sending you so much love!
I have this I think I’m measuring at 6 weeks 5 days they said but my last period was February 4 22 they said they only yolk sac measures 5mm 5mm
So glad that I read this ,though still hopeful for a success story in my case cos my sac is measuring 6weeks 3 days with no fetal pole seen…hoping before 9weeks everything will be seen and perfect
I went for my first ultrasound on Tuesday. Apparently I was measuring 7w2d. I’ve had no bleeding, I’m having terrible morning sickness, I thought all was well. They saw a yolk sac but no fetal pole, no heartbeat via transvaginal ultrasound. They said no big deal, come back in two weeks (when I will be 9w along) but from everything I have read, I feel like it is a big deal and I should prepare myself for a non viable pregnancy. Would love some advice. This is my first time ever being pregnant. Thank you for sharing your story.
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. Honestly, I agree that you should prepare for the worst. There are success stories that come out of situations like these, but they’re extremely rare, especially if you were measuring over 7 weeks already. It’s good that your doctor is waiting to be sure sure, though. I’m here if you need to talk. The easiest way to reach me is through Instagram DMs @undefiningmotherhood.
I am going through this too same as you measuring the same. I see this is from 2020, if you don’t mind me asking was everything ok or was it indeed a BO?
I apologize for my late reply, Marisa. For me, it was unfortunately a blighted ovum.
I had my first ultrasound yesterday and she told me it was a blighted ovum but they would check my hcg levels with bloodwork to make sure my time frame is right. I should be 9w3d as of yesterday. This is my first and we are devastated right now. Part of me wants to hold on to hope but the logical side of me says not to. I started having spotting and stomach cramps yesterday also. Can you please tell me what to expect for a natural miscarriage since that seems to maybe be what is happening? I feel in the dark about this whole experience and I appreciate your candor and words of wisdom as I took screenshots of every one of your questions for when I get the call with the hcg results.
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, and for the delay in reply. This article should really help you know what to expect. https://undefiningmotherhood.com/what-to-expect-when-you-miscarry/ I’m here if you need to talk. I’ve been through this multiple times and, despite my late reply, I promise I’m here.
I am so sorry for what you’re going through. I have a detailed breakdown of what to expect when miscarrying at different stages in this article: https://undefiningmotherhood.com/what-to-expect-when-you-miscarry
Thank you for your words of encouragement during this extremely difficult time. I am currently naturally miscarrying at 10 weeks with a BO. After my ultrasound I was left so confused and told to wait a week or 2 and see if timing was just off. Which was the hardest news to hear as it just didn’t make sense to me. I knew that wasn’t right and the fact that there was no yolk or heartbeat at 10 weeks was bullshit to give me hope that everything could be ok. At the time I was having very light. Very small spotting and was told that could be normal. 2 days later I started to naturally miscarry and am currently going thru it. It is very difficult. It helps hearing someone who has gone thru the same thing as me and validate my feelings. I too have heard well, at least it wasn’t a real loss. There was no baby. I even thought this at first as I was processing my loss in the form of denial as a way to cope. I still am in my process of grief and your story helps me recognize that it is ok for me to acknowledge the loss of my baby and pregnancy. Thank you. ❤
Thank you so much for sharing. I am so sorry for your loss and am here if you need to talk.
Thank you for sharing your story. My BO was confirmed today at my follow up ultrasound. I too was given false hope at my 8w4d ultrasound that maybe I was off with my dates, but I knew I wasn’t. It’s comforting to read yours and others stories here and know that we aren’t alone. I want to miscarry naturally but my doctor seems to be encouraging me to go with a medical management approach. I am feeling slight cramping so hoping things can progress sooner. I am grateful to live in Canada where any option I chose is covered.
I’m so sorry for your loss. I too am thankful costs will be covered for you. Hopefully, by having some cramps already, it will happen naturally. Reach out if you need support. Hugs!
Even I’m experiencing the same situation now. I’m 9 weeks 6 days. But my second scan shows 6 weeks 6 days. And an empty sac with no fetal pole or embryo. Its a very depressing situation.
I am so sorry or your loss.
Longing for answers and thankful to have found you. My sweet daughter in law miscarried her first baby at 9 weeks. It was very difficult and extremely painful. She spotted and cramped the whole pregnancy but never had breast tenderness or nausea. We were so excited to see a very strong heartbeat at 8 weeks, in spite of the spotting and cramping and the doctor was very encouraging. The loss was devastating. Today she, at what she tabulated as being 12 weeks gestation, had her first appointment. The fear of the first loss caused her to wait until what she felt the greatest time for loss was passed. She was told that her gestational sac measured 12 weeks but their was no HB and only a fetal pole. They told her the fetus appeared to have become non viable at 6 weeks. She still has pregnancy symptoms and no cramping and no spotting at all. They urged her to make a decision quickly to reduce infection risk. We are supposed to go back Friday. What questions if any should be asked. Her heart is so broken. Could there be any possiblity of a viable pregnancy at this point?
I am so, so sorry for your loss and hers. If it were me, I would not expect any chance of viability. She needs to make a decision that’s best for her, but there are things to know. If she chooses a D&C (surgery), she can ask to have the fetal tissue tested for genetic abnormalities. It will be expensive, but as a second loss, I would personally do it if financially possible. D&Cs can be very expensive, though, even with insurance. Her other option is likely to take misoprostol/cytotec. Since the gestational sac has continued growing, it will likely be a more intense physical process than the last one (if she passed the last one naturally). She might even have full contractions. I would encourage her to scroll through our miscarriage resources if she needs help making the decision. This article is a good place to start: https://undefiningmotherhood.com/what-to-expect-when-you-miscarry/. I’m here if she needs to talk.
I should add that she can have the tissue tested if she passes the pregnancy at home, as well, but she’ll need to speak with her doctor for specific instructions.
I was told I had a blighted ovum last week and this is my 2nd loss in 5 months. We are beyond devastated. I wanted to hope for the best- but at 7 weeks, my fertility doc did 2 ultrasounds on 2 machines and nothing. Then that Thursday (4 days later), my OB confirmed the same thing. Nothing inside. And he moved that wand all over (ouch).
Today I should be 8 weeks and I started cramping and barely spotting. I plan to take the meds prescribed to naturally expel. I’m just so so very sad. But grateful we got pregnant naturally 2 times in 6 months and I’m 42!
Any wisdom on future tries? I’d rather not do a D&C due to invasiveness and possible cost.
I am so, so sorry for your loss.
If it were me, I’d push my doctor for recurrent miscarriage testing just to be safe. We have an article on it that’s really helpful. And please reach out if you have questions or need an ear. Sending you so much love!
I had an 8 week ultrasound yesterday by my fertility specialist. She swapped from the abdominal ultrasound to a trans vaginal ultrasound. She said I had a blighted ovum and gave me my three options. My sac measured 6mm and my hcg the week before was 32,000 and something. I was not given an option for a wait and see and didn’t know that was a thing until I got home and started reading up. I chose to go with the medication to bring about miscarriage and am now unsure about whether to take it or not. How do I make sense of all this?
I am so sorry you’re going through this. My understanding is that ultrasounds from 8+ weeks are considered to be pretty accurate for diagnosis, and REs have higher quality machines. If it were my doctor, I would assume she feels certain. But what matters is that YOU feel certain. If you feel ready to take the pills, that’s your call. If you don’t, I would personally call the doctor on Monday and insist on a follow up for peace of mind. But this is all about you and your comfort. I am so, so sorry you have to be here. Sending you much love.
I’m in a similar situation now. We had a BO in July 2019, a successful pregnancy with a healthy baby in April 2020, a miscarriage in June 2021, and now a possible BO. I had an appointment a week ago where I should have been 5 weeks but the sac measured 3 1/2 weeks. My follow up appointment is this upcoming Monday and I’ve been trying sooo hard not to be too excited and to prepare for the worst at this upcoming scan.
Hello, first of all thank you for sharing this. Secondly i was supposed to be 13 week pregnant according to my first HCG pregnancy test but on ultrasound it is measuring at 6.5 weeks with yolk sac seen but no fetal pole or heartbeat. I have my next scan on friday but i am very worried. I jad intense cramping and bleeding once and the sac was fine. But i had bleeding and cramping again a day ago. Do you think if it’s a blighted ovum? This wait is killing me
I’m so sorry you’re going through this experience. The wait is just awful! If I were in your position, I would definitely prepare myself for the worst. But I think we all hope as long as we can. It’s only natural, but it definitely makes the wait even harder. Sending you so much love!
Hi, I just read your blog – thank you for all the info and all around encouragement. I have a suspected blighted ovum. Long story short I started bleeding and it got pretty consistent. I was sure I was passing everything. Dr. had me get Hcg labs done and when I got my levels, they went up from 1192 – 1788. I had thought since I was already in 3 days of bleeding that my levels would start to decline. I have already had an ultrasound that identified a sac (but was only measuring 5 weeks 1 day) and I was 6 weeks 4 days…they wanted to rule out ectopic. So while I know that levels still go up with BO, do they still go up when you have started bleeding? I should find out answers tomorrow, as second blood draw and US is tomorrow morning – hope to get some answers and some closure. Thank you for your story!
Thank you for posting your story. I am literally experiencing this now. I had my 1st ultrasound (7 wk) yesterday and will have my 2nd to confirm it’s not viable. I had a bad gut feeling the moment I saw an empty sac. This was an IVF pregnancy. I will be taking misprostol next week as well. Sadly, it was my 1st pregnancy and 1st miscarriage after trying for 5 years. We haven’t lost hope but the emotional and physical impact is extremely devastating. This story helps a lot! Thank you.
I’m so sorry for what you’re going through, Susan! It’s so awful, and even worse after such a long infertility battle. I’m here if you need support. If you reach out on Instagram, I’m also happy to point you to lots of support resources in that space. Sending you so much love!
in 2016 I had a blighted ovum at 6 weeks, I didn’t believe my dr so I came in for bloodwork every day and an she said I would spontaneously miscarry, then at 16 weeks once I didn’t I was scheduled for a d&c but I couldn’t do that so I scheduled an ultrasound, I explained to the tech I wanted to see before I did the procedure. AND HE FOUND A HEARTBEAT for 10 weeks I assumed my baby wasn’t there and now he is 5 years old and I fear every day his heart will just stop. I’m sorry yours turned out differently but mine was a success
It was confirmed yesterday after 1 and half weeks of hoping and seven weeks of being and feeling very pregnant. I was greatful to find this article today because I feel like I should tell everyone. I hate that women don’t speak about these things and that our experiences are minimised. Just waiting one more week, 2 more blood tests because my gyno wants to be on the safe side before I will have the first operation I’ve ever had in my life. Today my nausea is really bad and I hate knowing that its all for nothing. Thank you for being open and honest with your story so we all know we are not alone.
Sending you so much love during this hard time. I’m sorry you’re part of this terrible club. I found sea bands and unisom helped calm some of my nausea in a pregnancy-safe way as I too awaited answers and surgery. Hugs!
Thank you for your story and to all who have shared. I just had my first ultrasound today and am at 11w4d and learned it is a BO. Until today I didn’t even know it existed. For the ultrasound appointment, I was prepared for 1 baby, 2 babies, a baby with no heartbeat, etc….. Seeing that screen with no baby and a quiet empty sac was deeply shocking, especially this far along in my pregnancy. Like so many, I have been enduring all the pregnancy symptoms and assuming all was well. Again, I’d never even heard of BO until today. I just walked around all day today saying, “no baby… NO baby… NO BABY…” to try to understand it. I’ve had one spontaneous miscarriage in 2013 and one full-term pregnancy in 2014, 6 years of secondary infertility, and then this is my first pregnancy since my son was born 7.5 years ago. My D&C is scheduled in 2 days, since my body seems to have missed this crucial memo that this isn’t happening. I’m frustrated too that my insurance made me wait this long to have my first ultrasound, when it seems like this could have been detected much earlier on and saved my body a lot of turmoil. On the bright side, I am proud of my body for getting pregnant again, and for working so hard to keep this pregnancy train rolling along. So there’s that. And if I know anything from this fertility journey it’s that I never know what’s coming next, sometimes for worse and sometimes for the better. Thank you again for sharing your stories and providing these opportunities for community around these loves and losses. Sending love to all.
Thank you. You’re article is such a comfort to me. Unusually after an IVF BFP, I had bleeding clots and cramping on the day of my due period. The pregnancy test got darker the day I stopped.
I had to wait for a couple of weeks and got scanned yesterday. Confirming no yolk sack or heartbeat. The gestational sac measures 5 weeks 4 days. Because I did IVF I know I was 6 weeks 3 days. Currently awaiting blood test results. I have all the symptoms of pregnancy, plus continue with my progesterone injections and pessaries- so have side effects from these too.
Life is cruel sometimes. I know this will not be my time. But this information has helped me to mentally prepare for the enviable conversation. And consider my options. Thank God my boss is so understanding and offered nothing but support.
I hope you have been well after this experience and gone on to be successful x
Hi is it hurt doing D&C ?
Thank you for sharing your experience. I had my first US yesterday and am supposed to be about 8 weeks +4 days along. The gestational sac measured about 6 weeks and the doctor thought they saw a slight fetal pole. I feel almost certain that this is a non viable pregnancy. My nausea eased up about a week ago but I had thought maybe I had struck a good balance with my B6 and unisom. The thought of waiting for a week or two is unbearable. They said I might have my dates wrong but I had my first positive pregnancy test over 4 and a half weeks ago so I don’t think I am wrong. It’s just so frustrating.
Hi,
Thank you so much for sharing your story. It has helped me really process my Doctor’s strong belief I have a blighted Ovum / abembryonic pregnancy.
Went in for my first transvaginal scan where I should have been 7w2d. Gestational sac and yolk measuring as a 6 week pregnancy with no fetal pole or HB. I have a tilted uterus. Doctor said based on what she was seeing she was 90% sure of BO but opted for blood work, advising that I want to make my decision on next steps with 100% certainty, not 90%.
In 2 days my hcg levels rose 24%, not 50%, but within the range of normal. Because of this, she ordered another scan 11 days after my first. She apologized for putting us in limbo, and at the time I didnt feel that way, everything seemed so certain, but then a day later morning sickness kicked in which I haven’t had, and that new symptom mixed with my cravings, food aversions, breast tenderness and fatigue has put me in a weird headspace mentally and I have 7 days left to wait until my viability scan.
It is totally normal for your symptoms to increase in severity with a blighted ovum though, right? Just that my body hasn’t recognized the missing embryo?
Thank you!
Emilia – I’m in a very similar situation, do you have an update on your pregnancy?
Thank you!
Went for my first ultrasound today. Earliest I could get in. Last day of period was Dec 25. Positive pregnancy test by Jan 19th. Confirmed by doctor Feb 24th.
Week later brown spotting for 4 days . Had to wear a small pad. No other symptoms except all pregnancy symptoms still.
Noticed around 9 weeks nausea was relieving slightly. Sore boobs when I woke up this morning.
Spouse and I went to appointment. Told the technician I’d like for him to come in and see the baby in the screen, she said definitely but just wanted to do the ultrasound first.
She wasn’t saying anything then asked if I’ve had a vaginal ultrasound before. ( which I did , large orange sized ovarian cyst that lef to surgery back in 2016) didn’t think much of it. Fully drained bladder .
Vaginally ultrasound done. She told me she isn’t seeing enough of what she would like to see and had to go see the doctor.
Came back in room . Told me to get dressed, then she would be back to get me. My spouse never got to come in the room and I definitely knew going to the ER after an ultrasound wasn’t normal procedure.
So spouse and I went to ER. Got vitals taken, nurse was kind but said ” yeah its really hard when they can’t find out anything from an ultrasound ”
Instant water works. Sat in private room. Doctor came in. No viable pregnancy. Offered me prescription for Ativan. I declined asked for a note for couple days off work. Didn’t mention more than a referral for D&C. But was very apologetic.
Had an appt with doctor later this morning 3 hours after ultrasound. He didn’t get the ultrasound pictures yet. Said maybe my dating is wrong…but apologized for loss. Said he will call me as soon as he gets the images. Then discussed D&C.
Cried most of day, doc tried to keep a glimmer of hope.
So far no signs of miscarriage except for the brown spotting beginning of month.
Took a pregnancy test. Still showing positive.
I just found out I had a blighted ovum during my first ultrasound today as well. I was supposed to be 11 weeks along, although that was just an estimate and I felt like I wasn’t that far along. It’s an awful thing to go through.. I just hope the sac leaves my body soon. I’m also afraid if I am able to get pregnant again I will experience the same thing. 🙁
I know that this blog is older but I’m experiencing this terrible situation at the moment and struggling emotionally to process everything without feeling shame embarrassment and anger.
Almost the entire time from the moment I learned I was pregnant up until a few days ago when the blighted ovum was confirmed, I already knew there was something wrong. The cramping that I was experiencing was troubling and every time I tried to confide in someone they just told me it was normal. I finally went for my first ultrasound (which was an experience in itself because I was living in another country) and at the time from the LMP I should’ve been about 6 weeks 4 days but the gestational sac measured at 5 weeks 4 days and there was no fetal pole or yolk sac. The tech just informed us to return in 2-4 weeks to determine viability. And I knew at that moment it was going to be a miscarriage. My husband insisted on seeking advice from his doctor friends who strongly urged us to remain calm that it was too early to see anything just yet and that in a few weeks time we would see our baby. But 4 weeks later at my regular OBGYN in NY, the same result. I was supposed to be 9 weeks but was measuring only at 6 after 4 weeks of waiting and still no yolk sac or fetal pole in sight.
My body clearly isn’t recognizing the loss. I haven’t experienced any bleeding or spotting but my symptoms other than the cramping have all vanished. I’m terrified that if I don’t miscarry naturally soon that I will have to have the D&C making it even more difficult to carry a baby in the future. I feel alone as none of my family really understand even though they have experienced this too. I have one friend who has been super supportive and my husband of course but having to continue to carry this “pregnancy” knowing that it will not yield a baby is emotionally draining. I feel stuck not being able to move on with my life until then. Still having to work and provide therapy to my clients as a licensed therapist all while suffering somewhat silently. I’ve read and heard these stories and empathized deeply with those women but also prayed that I never had to experience it because I knew it would be a bit too much for me to handle.
Thank you for your blog. It really is helpful being able to relate so closely to your story though I wish it was on something more positive and something that none of us ever have to go through. I’m trying to remain hopeful that one day soon I will have a child of my own.
I’m so sorry that happened to you. It’s so sad. Thank you for sharing your experience. It was very helpful.
My daughter and her fiancé were happy to find out that she was pregnant. As her mother, I was thrilled to find out that she was engaged. A few minutes later she told me she was pregnant. She scheduled an appointment for a first visit, but the person she saw did not do an ultrasound. She had to wait a few more weeks.
She finally had her ultrasound, but it was in a radiology department, not through the doctor clinic. She and her fiancé waited while the tech did the ultrasound. Minutes passed and the tech said nothing. Finally, my daughter asked if she could see it (the baby). The tech said, “See what?” See what? Idiot! The tech finally said she couldn’t find the heartbeat. She went to get the radiologist. Well, they are not allowed to tell patients what they see or don’t see. My daughter just wanted to know if the baby was ok. They said her doctor would call her. She knew the doctor office would be closed that day and the next. They said they would contact the doctor’s office.
A midwife called my daughter, but the midwife had no info. My daughter works at the hospital, so she drove their to look online at her chart. That’s how she found out she had a Blighted Ovum. Something we all had never heard of. So sad!
She had a scheduled doctor’s appointment two days later. She was finally able to get some answers to her questions. They suggested waiting for the miscarriage to happen naturally, but she chose to take the abortion pills. She didn’t want the miscarriage to happen while she was working. She’s taking the pills tomorrow. I’m concerned.
I feel that hospital had terrible service. Not saying she should sue, but hospitals need to be more sensitive with situations such as this. It was very stressful, sad, confusing, and shocking for my daughter and her fiancé. Needless to say, they will not be going back to the doctor or the hospital. They should have found a doctor or a PA, or someone with some sense to explain what had happened. They should have at least explained that blighted ovum or miscarriage was possible.
I literally feel myself when I read your story , this is my second pregnancy. First one no problem, this second unexpected one and we are so excited preparing our second one after 9 years ( we are not ready for second ) with lots of emotions , bathroom
Baby talks I went with full joy @8 weeks but my sac was measuring 6weeks 6days with no fetal pole or
Embryo . I was shattered confused my whole
Body was shivering , tears burst but with eyes black out , I took blood work which was 60,000 high and doctor suspected it’s BO , though he told me to wait for an week ( tats the worst phase of life ) finally on thanksgiving I had my vaginal tablet , I felt all my
Happiness it carried away .. then hcg was reducing slow which made me yo take 4 ultrasounds ( I wish if it’s for baby I would be so happy to take many more ) Jan 15 finally got my peroids back , emotions are fading up with heavy heart
I just went through the same thing in 6/01/22…..I opted for EOU and I’m currently having my menses…wat a sad experience, …
I wish I had read this two months ago when I had my blighted ovum. My experience was much the same as yours and I didn’t expect anything when I went into my 8 week appointment. I have a healthy 2 year old and didn’t have any issues with my last pregnancy nor any issues getting pregnant, so I knew miscarriage was a possibility but thought it was remote. The news came two weeks before Christmas and the same week my mother in law was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I have a history of postpartum depression and went into a dark place after this was all over (I opted for a D&C). I am 6 weeks pregnant again and just had a positive looking ultrasound (we were able to see a heart beat and a yolk sac), so I’m hoping for the best. I am also seeing a therapist, which I would highly recommend if you can afford it and are still struggling. I know someone posted that they were afraid to have a D&C because of future fertility, and I want those people to know that the risks are very low. I spoke to a lot of women who had been in a similar situation and all of them opted for a D&C and all of them had successful subsequent pregnancies. Having this miscarriage was one of the worst experiences of my life, but it’s comforting to hear that so many women have had this experience. I just wished we talked about it more.
So glad I found this post… helps to know others’ experience with BO’s.
I have a healthy 7 year old son and when my partner and I found out we were pregnant, we were obviously shocked but over the moon thrilled that we’d get to be parents again.
Because I had placenta retention with my son when I delivered him, they made me take an earlier than normal ultrasound. We were both so excited and pumped for the appointment, especially since I had been plagued with some pretty severe dizziness and morning sickness since about week 3 of the pregnancy. Went in at week 5 and it was everything but what was expected. The tech was very nervous and apologetic saying that she could see a gestational sac developing but nothing else, she explained our dates were perhaps wrong and to wait a couple of weeks then go back.
I was crushed but thought maybe it’s too early, I didn’t have any spotting and my early pregnancy symptoms were raging more than what I could have possibly remember with my son 7 years ago.
As the weeks went on, my belly got bigger and my preggo symptoms showed no signs of slowing/stopping. At what would have been week 8, we went in for another ultrasound and the tech very quickly proceeded to tell me that it was not a viable pregnancy before she left the room.
I was crushed as I walked and cried out of that room, my partner was so confused when I ushered him through the front doors of the clinic without saying a word but crying as if the world had ended.
My symptoms were real, I was and am still pregnant. They told me to wait some more time… this was by far one of the most depressive moments of my life. Eventually the symptoms of morning sickness and dizzy spells stopped and my belly felt a little more “mushy” then it had in the last few weeks. I was devastated. I went into the hospital at what I thought was 10 weeks to help me process and confirm what was happening, they confirmed again that no fetal pole or yolk sac but that my gestational sac was the size of 8 weeks.
I am scheduled for a D&C this week, what would have been 12 weeks, it’s been an emotional rollercoaster just waiting for my body to process the miscarriage, but somehow it’s still hanging onto it…. Hardest part knowing that part of what was conceived is still inside of me. Wishing you all love and hope. 🥺❤️
Hi Katy, what a sad story 🙁
Last week I had my first ultrasound. According to my calculations I was 6+2. We saw 2 or 3 (!) gestational sacs, of which 2 looked good (both 6.4 mm), 1 not so, probably this is some kind of hematoma (6.2 mm). All 3 were empty. The measurement align with 4+4 / 5 weeks. So maybe my ovulation was later than I thought or my implantation took longer. I have not found any articals or experiences about having more than one BO at the same time … and now I came across your story and I am wondering maybe you have…? At the end of this week we will have another ultrasound to see if something developed.
I just want to thank you so much for this post and your honestly. I’m currently in that week waiting period for a confirmation ultrasound, and the mental toll of the unknown (but knowing in my gut what the outcome will be) is horrible. Thanks for making me feel less alone.
I am sending you so much love, Ellen. This is terribly unfair and I’m so sorry you’re going through it.
Thank you for your honest story. I am currently going through a BO. I just had a complete miscarriage 5 months ago and was ecstatic that after the required 3 months my husband and I had to wait to try again, I ended up testing positive on a pregnancy test. We went into my first ultrasound (which had to be done at a different clinic than normal due to our normal OBGYN clinic being short staffed that week) at what should’ve been 8 weeks according to my last menstrual cycle. The US tech showed us the “baby” in the sac, but said I was earlier than expected, as the sac and “embryo” were measuring at only 6 weeks 4 days. She didn’t mention anything about a heartbeat and in the moment, we completely forgot to ask. We were scheduled for a 2nd ultrasound a week later to “confirm the due date”. The 2nd ultrasound happened and the sac was still measuring the same size, but this time there was no baby. I was so confused! How could there be a baby one week and it disappeared the next?? I even have a print out of it! My doctor reviewed the original US tech’s notes from the week before. It said that a “suggested” fetal pole was seen and no heartbeat was detected. I was furious! I feel like I was lied to because the original US tech didn’t want to do the dirty work of telling us of a possible miscarriage and our doctor had assumed that this information had been given to us at the original US appointment. It’s been 2 days since I was diagnosed with BO and I am so devastated. I just started spotting with mild cramps this morning. I will go back in 2 weeks to confirm everything has been expelled from my body, but I’m still secretly hoping it’s not true! After hearing all the stories on this thread, I am so grateful to know I’m not alone and there is still hope for another baby in my future. Love and hugs to all who are going through this or have gone through this.
I’m sending you so much love, Lauren! I felt very similarly, and to this day (7 years later), I still feel nauseous when I see that ultrasound technician, and I refuse to let her work with me. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through–your feelings are valid. Please talk to your doctor about the research that says you have to wait 3 months to try again. All of my doctors said that was outdated information, and I know the wait feels extra long when you’re going through this.
I just wanted to say thank you for sharing your story of heartache. I know it couldn’t have been easy but your story has helped me so much. A few days ago I was told at 7 weeks I also had a ‘non viable’ pregnancy but that I should wait two weeks to be sure (4 Doctors examined me on the same day at two different clinics – not my choice-) to confirm it was an anembryonic pregnancy. Mine was an IVF pregnancy so it was already a little miracle. But your story honestly provided more support and information than I have received throughout my journey. Thank you for sharing your story.
My hoped for babe would be 23. Informed of an empty yolk sac at around 11 weeks. I didn’t know what to ask as I was assured it would not affect future pregnancies. Only option given was a D&C by a unsympathetic doctor who asked what my next plan was as I am still numb and confused going into surgery. Well sorry to say there were no pregnancies after that as I started the journey too late in life 35. When I stumbled on this article, as I was feeling melancholy, I couldn’t believe how many woman suffer this type of pregnancy loss.
Thank you for writing this, I am currently waiting for my second ultrasound to confirm, and I’m feeling both lost and alone. I tried so hard to think of more questions to ask when the midwife gave me the news, but I just couldn’t. The pregnancy symptoms and lack of bleeding are taking a hold of me. I’m ready for it to be what it is, already, so I can get to the next step.
Hey there 🤍
I’m so glad I found your post I’ve been googling blight ovum like crazy and all I found were scientific articles that really didn’t answer any questions I had .
2 weeks ago a lil bean shaped tissue popped out of me and I was really confused and immediately started googling after much research the closest answer was a blight ovum .
Everything in your post seems to confirm this too and I’ve read the article regarding charting as well and acc to that I could have been atleats 8 weeks pregnant
Now my confusion is
Yes I had pregnancy symptoms when I think back to those weeks however I didn’t give it a second thought as in those 8 weeks I had 2 periods so totally disregarded the thought of even being pregnant
Is this normal
Should I have bled
Or is this a cause for concern
Would appreciate the advice if any
Thanks again for a very detailed informative post ♡
Thank you so much for sharing. I had a similar ultrasound experience. The tech told me she couldn’t see a baby but not to freak out or worry since it could appear a later. She was cheery and hopeful. I had to call the doctor’s office multiple times to get them to prioritize reading my ultrasound results before finally being told that a viable pregnancy is incredibly unlikely. Thank you for sharing your journey.
I found your article whilst looking for answers as to what to expect. I had my first scan last week only for the technician to share that she could see a sac and the yolk but nothing else. I was puzzled, I didn’t know what she was supposed to be able to see, so I said, OK. Then she said it again. I asked her to explain, again and again. Until the words likely non viable left her mouth I didn’t know what was going on. I left the scan that day with an envelope for miscarriage and told to prepare myself. I got a follow up phone call with the doctor and have been called in for blood tests. I’m now waiting…..and whilst I’m waiting time is getting on, it’s now been almost 9 weeks and I’m working, unsure when things are going to progress…..I’ve been advised that it’s best to do things naturally but the waiting is killing me…..and on top of that I’m fearful of what is to come.
Thank you for writing this article, your honest account and factual tips has been really useful.
I’m currently in the limbo period, waiting for the next scan to see if there might be something there. The crucial part of your article was how large the GS is. I’m currently measuring behind where I should be, so I’m hopeful this means I ovulated late and I was actually 6 weeks, not 7, at the first scan. This is my first pregnancy after 1.5years trying, I’m feeling very pregnant with all the symptoms.
I’m quietly hopeful whilst preparing myself for the worst. Wish me luck…
Wishing you so much luck, Charlotte. The wait is killer and the raging symptoms are so unfair. Big hugs.
I had my 9 week scan today and found out it’s a BO. I can’t quite explain the feeling when I saw an empty “hole” on the screen where the embryo was supposed to be. I know the science, but I’m still processing everything emotionally since it is our first pregnancy. I just wanted to let you know your story is helping me do that.
Wrapping you in abundant love from afar. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.
I had my first ultrasound, checked google and it was blighted ovum. I miscarried on the 11th week which was on the 13th of April. My period is yet to come. I just want to have a healthy pregnancy
Big, big hugs to you. I’m so sorry. At 11 weeks, your hormones were pretty high; it’s unfortunately really normal for it to take 6-8 weeks for your period to come back. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through.