AboutBrenda Expertise I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. In addition to that, I am a mother of two, ages 21 and 16, both of which I had hoped would be vaginal deliveries, but ended up being C-Sections... one of which had me in pre-term labor...another which was frank breech (bottom first)... one who rejected the breast... and so on... to list my personal experience would be a bit lengthy! I'd simply like to help anyone who might have a question or concern that I can draw on my expertise to answer!
Experience I have been an R.N. since 1988 and come from a family of nurses. I have clinical experience in labor and delivery, as well as post-partum care and pre-term pregnancy complications. I have also worked in Community Health Clinics dealing with this area of expertise, including WIC (Women, Infant, & Children) clinics performing nursing evaluations and assessments in determining a need for services or intervention for pregnant women, newborns, and young children. I have worked in immunization clinics in and around my community as well. I also have several years experience in OB and Pediatric Home Care Nursing. My experience also includes approximately three years working in Behavioral Services.
Education/Credentials Graduated from the Mary Lanning School of Nursing in May 1988. Have been a licensed Registered Nurse in the state of NE since 1988.
Expert: Brenda Date: 6/18/2008 Subject: Unable to see pregancy during an ultrasound?
Question Dear Brenda,
On June 9th I had a pregnancy test done. It came back positve. This past friday I had pains in my abdomen with no bleeding or cramping. The ER did an emergency ultrasound and could not see the pregancy. The pains I felt were no where near my uterus and were nore of a nusiance pain than anything. I am worried as to why nothing showed up. People have been telling me that maybe I am too early for the baby to be seen yet...is this a common situation?...Pls help if you can...Thank you, Deb
Answer Dear Debra,
In order to determine whether you would have been too early in the pregnancy for it to be noted on ultrasound, I would need to know your LMP date. As a general rule though, the gestational sac can typically be visualized as early as 4.5 weeks of gestation (4.5 weeks after LMP date) and the yolk sac at about 5 weeks. The embryo can usually be observed and measured by about 5.5 weeks. A visible heartbeat can often be seen and detected by ultrasound at about 6 weeks and is usually clearly detectable by 7 weeks.
For the most part, I would not get too worried until your first doctor visit or unless you begin experiencing abdominal cramping with vaginal bleeding.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
