Is Abortion Due To No Heartbeat Right?

When you conceive for the first time, you are full of dreams and apprehensions. You are still unsure of yourself and have so many different questions. Most of the time, you have to believe what your doctor tells you. It is a standard procedure for the doctor to ask for an early pregnancy scan at about 7 weeks. This is mainly to detect the fetal heartbeat. Sometimes, doctors suggest an abortion due to no heartbeat at this stage.

This opinion has been largely debated among medical experts. Abortion due to no growth is common. However, abortion due to no heartbeat at 7 weeks is not always necessary. There are many women who have not registered a fetal heartbeat at 7 or 8 weeks. But later, scans have shown fetal heartbeat clearly.

If your doctor has suggested an abortion due to no heartbeat at 7 weeks, then here is what you need to know:

• The heartbeat of the baby is directly proportional to your HCG (Human chorionic gonadotropin) levels. HCG is the pregnancy hormone you test for in the pregnancy kits. If you have low levels of HCG, fetal heartbeat is usually weak or absent.
• In such situations, a HCG injection can be given to the mother externally. You need to repeat the fetal heart rate ultrasound and check for the heartbeat in about a week's time.
• You can safely wait upto 10 weeks to see if you register some fetal heart activity unless you are bleeding or have any cramps. Beyond 10 weeks, you probably have to go for an abortion due to no growth.
• Sometimes, improper ultrasound techniques can give you wrong results. If a normal scan does not register heartbeat, a vaginal scan can be done. This helps for a much more thorough examination of the gestational sack.
• Most women suffer indecision when they are asked to go for an abortion due to no heartbeat. The best thing to do in such cases is to go for a second opinion if you are not convinced. Misdiagnoses in these cases are rare but not unheard of.

Sometimes, chromosomal abnormalities can be the cause of no heartbeat. So, do not blame yourself for this unfortunate condition. Take a call quickly or wait an extra week depending on your doctor's advice.