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.
Question I am currently about 5 1/2 weeks pregnant and i've had 2 previous miscarriages within the last 7 months. this pregnancy i've been dealing with a reproductive endocrinologist and i've been getting blood tests every 3 days to check hcg levels (which have been very good and on the high side) so now at about 6 weeks i have an appointment for an ultrasound to look at the heartbeat. What i'm wondering is after we see a heartbeat at that point is it safe to tell frineds and family that's i'm pregnant (we've told very close people but not all like relatives that live far away) or is it still recommended to wait until the second trimester? i know the miscarriage rate drops dramatically after seeing a heartbeat and i know it drops in the second trimester but does it drop even more from the time the heartbeat is seen or is it about the same percentage rate? thank you for your time.
Answer Dear Kristin,
The miscarriage of a pregnancy can take place either before, or after, the pregnancy was shown evidence of a fetal heart rate (usually by ultrasound). The presence of fetal heart activity within a normally expected rate range for the gestational age, with appropriate growth for gestational age, and hCG/progesterone levels rising appropriately would definitely make me feel confident about the health of the pregnancy. I cannot find any actual statistics on miscarriage rates before 6 weeks vs. 6-12 weeks. I will tell you that I hear from alot of women who have had the 6 week ultrasound and everything is fine, but then go for the 10 week check and the pregnancy has been lost - even after a heartbeat is seen. Usually ultrasound measures a 6-7 week fetus, so the crucial period seems to be before that 10 week visit.
As to whether to share your news... that's completely up to you. Most understand that miscarriages happen in nearly 1 out of 5 pregnancies, so if there is someone you are itching to tell... I guess I would not be afraid to tell them after the 6 week visit. The rest is fate, but I will be having HUGE good thoughts for you. :-)
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
