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For those of you trying to stay active during pregnancy, I'm curious what the biggest challenge has been.

Is it knowing which exercises are safe, finding the energy, staying consistent, dealing with changes in your body, or something else entirely?

I feel like people talk a lot about the benefits of staying active, but not always about how hard it can be to actually make it happen.

What's been the most frustrating part for you?

I am completely spiraling right now and desperately need some insight or reassurance. I am currently in ultrasound limbo and terrified that I am facing a blighted ovum, but my hCG numbers are throwing everyone off.
Here is my exact timeline:

Oct 4th/5th: Positive ovulation strip (tracking closely).
Oct 14th: Faint positive pregnancy test.
Oct 18th (approx 4w0d): Went to the ER due to weird cramping on my left side because I wanted to rule out an ectopic. HCG was 177. Ultrasound showed nothing (too early).
Oct 20th: HCG rose to 445.
Oct 23rd (approx 4w5d): HCG jumped to 2,500. Ultrasound showed a gestational sac, but the tech said it was "too small to confirm it's a pregnancy."
Oct 26th (yesterday, 5w1d): HCG surged to 7,200. Gestational sac was seen again on the pelvic ultrasound, but it still looked empty. The radiologist didn't say much, but the medical team admitted they are concerned because they aren't seeing a yolk sac or an embryo yet at this hCG level.
They have scheduled me for YET ANOTHER ultrasound tomorrow (I'll be 5w3d) in the fertility department to use their high-definition equipment.
I am so, so worried. Why is my hCG surging so beautifully into the thousands if there is no embryo or yolk sac visible yet? If it's a blighted ovum, can hCG really jump from 2,500 to 7,200 in just three days while the sac stays tiny and empty? I don't have a family history of twins and didn't use fertility treatments, so I don't think it's a heterotopic or multiple pregnancy.

Has anyone ever had numbers this high with an empty sac at 5 weeks and gone on to see a baby a few days later? Or is this a classic sign of an early loss/blighted ovum? Please be honest, the waiting is killing me.

Hi everyone! I’m hoping to hear from anyone who has experienced something similar, especially those who went on to have a healthy pregnancy.
I had a transvaginal ultrasound today (October 27), and they found a single intrauterine gestational sac measuring **18 mm (approximately 6w5d–6w6d)** with a visible yolk sac, but **no fetal pole or embryo was seen**.
A little background:
**LMP:** September 12
Gestational age based on LMP:** 6w3d
**Confirmed ovulation:** October 2
**Gestational age based on ovulation:** 5w4d
**Gestational sac:** 18 mm
**Yolk sac:** Present
**Fetal pole:** Not visible
**Sac shape:** Normal
**HCG:** 127 on October 13 and 645 on October 16
My doctor said it could simply be too early and recommended another ultrasound on November 6.
What concerns me is that my gestational sac is measuring closer to 6w6d, even though I know I ovulated on October 2, which would put me at only 5w4d. I’m confused about why the sac would measure so far ahead without a visible embryo.
I also experienced a missed miscarriage earlier this year, so I’m understandably anxious about this ultrasound.
**Has anyone had an 18 mm (or similarly sized) gestational sac with a yolk sac but no fetal pole, and then gone back a week or so later to see a healthy embryo with a heartbeat?**
I’d especially love to hear from anyone who was certain of their ovulation date and had a gestational sac measuring ahead of their actual gestational age.
I’m trying to stay hopeful while also being realistic. I know every pregnancy is different, but hearing others’ experiences would mean a lot. ❤️

This is an IVF pregnancy with donor eggs. There’s only one more embryo left after this one. I started bleeding off and on at 6 weeks and went in for my first ultrasound at 6 weeks 3 days. They found a SCH, which explains the bleeding (which has now stopped for over 24 hours). However, the baby is measuring slightly small at 3mm and the ultrasound tech had a very hard time getting the heartbeat. She would see it and try to record for like half a second, and then it would disappear from the screen. She recorded both 83 and 69bpm after about half an hour of trying, which are both way too low. We are coming back in a week which should give us more clarity but are preparing for a loss. Everything about this past year has been so incredibly hard. I was so shocked when I tested positive because nothing has really worked out for us in this whole process. Any words of wisdom, consolation, or dare I ask, hope?

DPO unknown, but estimated around 20-25th of September.
First faint positive on Oct 3rd. Initial slow line progression (and a MMC earlier this year) made me extremely anxious, so I convinced my gp to do a blood draw.
Oct 8th hCG was 230.
Oct 12th hCG was 630, which was within the normal range so my gp assumed I was just earlier than expected.

Anxiety didn’t go away, I had mild pregnancy symptoms and just didn’t have a good feeling about it, so I got sent for an ultrasound on October 22nd. The gynaecologist was clearly in a big rush but transvaginal ultrasound showed “nothing” and likely because it was simply too early according to her (and difficult to scan due to high BMI).
They did another blood draw that day, which came back at 5830. That made me slightly relieved, it still seems to be within the normal range? But the US was then not at all promising since nothing was seen at that hCG level. I’m so confused.

Last blood draw was yesterday on October 26th and I got the results today: 9090. Which is a way lower increase than any success story I’ve been able to find.

I’m confused and worried, I couldn’t get a hold of the clinic today because the result came after their closing time.

I think I know this is the end, but my worry is if it’s ectopic.
I don’t have any symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy, no pains, bleeding or cramps. The gynecologist said there was nothing on the scan to indicate an ectopic, but I’m still terrified.
I’m scheduled in for another ultrasound on Thursday but I’m going to call first thing tomorrow to see if they’ll fit me in same day.

Just got my latest hCG results back: 13,656 at 22 DPO (5w2d), which seems reallllly high, right?

My previous results were:
15 DPO: 1,008
18 DPO: 2,268

I know hCG levels vary a lot from person to person, but mine seem unusually high, even around twice the reported median for twin pregnancies at this stage.

I know high hCG doesn’t necessarily mean twins and that only an ultrasound can confirm anything. I actually have my first ultrasound scheduled for this coming Monday!

In the meantime, I’m really curious whether anyone else had similarly high hCG levels this early on and what the outcomes were!

I am pregnant for the first time EVER through IVF. My partner and I have been trying for 2.5 years and have been through 2 egg retrievals and 5 transfers. I’d never gotten to a positive test until this time!

My first beta was 102.8 (10dpt) and 48 hrs later my second was 170.2 (12dpt). My clinic was looking for a 50% increase minimum so this meets the threshold, but they want me back in 2 days to make sure it’s continuing to rise appropriately.

I see a lot on here about people with much higher numbers and true doubles every 48 hours. Has anyone had similar #s and a viable pregnancy? Any info appreciated!

hi all. i just hit 12 weeks and for the past few days i’ve been feeling pretty uncomfortable in my abdominal and pelvis area when i sit in a chair. like everything is squished together my bladder, my uterus and anything in between. i have a retroverted uterus and this is my second pregnancy but i have never felt this in my previous pregnancy. even the pubic bone feels squished 😅

has anyone felt this around this time?

I am currently 9w4d after a euploid embryo transfer. We have had weekly scans since six weeks and everything has looked good. We have our last scan with our fertility clinic on Thursday at 9w6d. We got our NIPT back today and it was negative. My husband and I plan to look at the gender together tomorrow. Then I planned to tell my daughter (4) and my son (18mo so he won’t care lol) on Friday when I am 10 weeks and after we had graduated from the clinic. The closer it gets though the more paranoid I feel (we just came off a chemical pregnancy) and then I think maybe it’s too soon? I’m getting to the point where I would like to share with immediate family too, but I want my daughter to be the first to know. When did you tell your kiddos/what would you do?

I know what advice I would give to someone else in this situation, I would say stop testing, those tests are innacurate etc but it's so hard to take my own advice, I'm sure you understand 😅

I had a faint positive pregnancy test back on 9th Oct, I used up the frer's that I had and saw fantastic line progression, even though I had some very light spotting on and off for about 2weeks.. I also did a digital clearblue that said 1-2. 16th October I had beta done which was 215. I did another digital that said 2-3. Just over a week from this I decided to get another one, expecting to see 3+, but it still said 2-3. I know I should stop testing. I just have so much anxiety that something is wrong. For no good reason. The spotting has stopped. I have mild on and off nausea. But otherwise I feel completely normal.

This is baby number 5 for me but mine and my partners first together. My kids are 9 and up, I have just turned 35. I think my age now is worrying me a bit?

I have my first scan in exactly 48 hours from now. 😬 I ran out of ovulation tests this cycle, so never saw a positive, but I believe my first positive I was approx 8-10 dpo ..

hey ladies! I had an ultrasound this morning and my gestational sac was measured at 10.4mm - the report says it corresponds to only 4w5d but based on my LMP, I should be 5w6d today. i also looked it up and everywhere it says 10mm is 5 weeks++.

do they measure it differently? lol i'm so confused! though OB said it's nothing to worry about. my hcg yesterday was 8741. any thoughts? has anyone had this before and was successful? tia! 🫶🏻

So today I have my first SIS after reoccurring losses and they found a small polyp. I have a follow up with the fertility specialist tomorrow and I’m making my list of questions.

Background: I have had 3 pregnancies in the last 9 months and all were intrauterine and ended around 6 weeks. My level for the blood clotting disorder came back slightly elevated so the plan for next pregnancy was blood thinner and progesterone.

From what I’m seeing, polyps are more of a concern for implantation-which I haven’t had an issue with.

Has anyone had a healthy pregnancy with a small polyp?

Has anyone’s doctor said their miscarriage was likely due to a polyp even with successful implantation?

I have had 3 surgeries this year and really would like to avoid it if it not completely necessary.

so me (23) and my husband (22) have been trying for a year. I literally have an appointment Thursday with my OBGYN.

Well I got a positive pregnancy test 2 days ago. Here’s the problem.

I got a positive LH on 10/8. Oura says I ovulated on 10/10. My period was a couple days late- then came. Super light spotting for 2 days, then heavy bright red, then spotting for a couple more days. So I got my positive pregnancy test on (what was supposed to be) CD 6. Ive tested multiple times and with different brands and they are all positive. I also took a pregnancy test when I was late and in the middle of bleeding because I thought it was weird. Negative.

Soooo…the anxious part is that I got my HCG blood draw done because I was concerned and it came back at 15. I go back tomorrow for a redraw. So nervous this could be a CP :((

I’m hoping someone here has experienced something similar because I’m getting very few answers, and the uncertainty is incredibly difficult.
Pregnancy history:
LMP: September 9, 2026
Very regular 28–30 day cycles
Ovulation appears to have occurred late, around September 27–30, based on LH testing
First positive pregnancy test: October 11
Previous blighted ovum/miscarriage in August 2026
Bloodwork:
October 12: hCG 855, progesterone 17
October 15: hCG 3,128
October 22: hCG 23,132
October 24: progesterone 19.9 (no supplementation)
Ultrasound — October 26:
I had a transvaginal ultrasound at approximately 6w5d based on my LMP, although I believe I may be slightly earlier because of late ovulation.
Findings:
Gestational sac measuring approximately 6 weeks 2 days
Gestational sac measurement: [insert measurement in mm]
Yolk sac visible
No fetal pole identified
No heartbeat identified
Gestational sac appeared somewhat irregular in shape to me
A large, approximately 5.8 cm complex area was identified around my uterus/gestational sac, suspected to be a hematoma, although the sonographer couldn’t definitively confirm whether it was blood or another fluid collection
The sonographer explained that the complex area appeared to involve a significant portion of the surrounding area rather than being one obvious, clearly defined pocket.
Bleeding and symptoms:
On October 20, I suddenly began bleeding without significant cramping. The blood was watery and reddish-brown to red, but I never had heavy bleeding, large clots, or identifiable tissue passage.
The bleeding gradually turned brown and stopped after several days.
I’ve continued experiencing pregnancy symptoms, including significant nausea, breast tenderness, and fatigue.
My biggest concerns/questions:
Has anyone measured 6w2d with a yolk sac but no fetal pole and gone on to see a healthy embryo and heartbeat at a follow-up ultrasound?
Has anyone experienced a hematoma or complex fluid collection as large as 5.8 cm this early in pregnancy?
Can a large hematoma distort the appearance or shape of the gestational sac?
Has anyone had an irregular-looking gestational sac that later developed normally?
Has anyone experienced a similar ultrasound after bleeding and still had a viable pregnancy?
I have another ultrasound scheduled for November 6, which will be 11 days after my first scan.
I’m especially interested in hearing from anyone with similar measurements or ultrasound findings, whether your outcome was positive or negative. I’m not looking for false reassurance. I just want to understand what other people have experienced.
Thank you to anyone willing to share. ❤️

Hi. 6 weeks today. Waiting for my 8 week ultrasound. Got my blood drawn for CBC, Ferritin, thyroid, chlamydia/gc test, urine culture, prenatal infectious disease panel, urine culture.

Experiencing nausea, sore chest, vivid dreams, fatigue. No discharge, no food aversions.

My nurse practitioner did not order any HCG testing for me. I do see a lot of moms monitoring their HCG but not me. I am a first time mom. Is this normal?

I had a loss in August which was my first pregnancy. Lucky for us we got pregnant in September and this time my symptoms are much stronger which I find comfort in. The past few days my temps have been lower although I know it doesn’t matter really. And yesterday I had cramps in the evening and I think I had spotting but I’m not sure cause it was so so light it was probably nothing. I’m freaking out cause I don’t want to get to my ultrasound and them say there is not a heartbeat again and our appointment is Friday and I don’t know what to do anymore.

I had two back-to-back chemical pregnancies in August and September. I just tested positive yesterday at either 9 or 10 DPO with a very, very faint line. Last night I noticed when I wiped that there was pink spotting. This morning I tested again and the line is slightly darker but still pretty faint. When I wipe there is less spotting and it’s more brownish. I’m feeling very anxious because I’m not sure if this is going to end in a chemical. would love any insight.

Hi all, tested positive on FRER last week plus "1-2 weeks" on digital clear blue. And very very faint lines on the @home tests that never got darker. I saw my GP today to have a beta HCG blood test, and it's come back at 12IU/L. Factoring in my LMP and ovulation I'd expect to be around 4-5wks. My only symptom has been sore nipples for the last few days.

I know this result is extremely low, and per the reference range on the results, it's considered borderline. I'll retest in 48hrs. I've come to the conclusion this likely means non viable pregnancy, but just wanted to see whether it's more likely chemical or if I should still monitor for signs of ectopic? I've had no bleeding and only some mild period-like pain over the last couple of weeks.

I had my first scan yesterday because my LMP put my pregnancy at 7w3d but I was tracking ovulation and believed I was 6w2d. The doctor was running super late and seemed to be rushing through my appointment. It’s my first pregnancy and my experience was really terrible. She explained nothing about the ultrasound other than it looked like I was measuring 5w5d. There was no heartbeat, but there was something that looked like a tiny grain of rice, not an empty sac. The CRL was 0.23 cm.

Most people say measuring behind at this point can be normal and my doctor just scheduled me for a two week follow up.

I took an easy@home pregnancy test strip this afternoon despite my better judgment and it was lighter than it had been previously. I diluted the same sample with water and it was even lighter than before so not the hook effect. I also was nauseous the past two days but was not today.

I unfortunately will not have answers for another two weeks. Should I be guarding my heart at this point?

We were working with a fertility clinic and had just completed our initial bloodwork when we unexpectedly conceived naturally.

My first beta on 10/27 was 40.2, and I’m worried it’s low. I had a possible faint line 10/24 and a definite positive 10/25. Ovulation was likely 10/15–10/16, and my next beta is Friday 10/30.

Has anyone started around 40 at 11–12 DPO and gone on to have a healthy pregnancy? Also, what were your next steps after a positive with a fertility clinic? When did you have your first ultrasound?

I’m feeling anxious and would really appreciate hearing others’ experiences!

TW: miscarriage

I’m currently 6w4d pregnant and I am beyond anxious about every single symptom I’m feeling (or not feeling) after having two back to back miscarriages. I started feeling back pain today and the last time I felt this, I bled shortly after and lost the baby. Is back pain a normal pregnancy symptom or a sign I could be miscarrying?

I have a scan tomorrow but I’m just too worried that I’m going to see another baby with no heart beat.

I’ve had 3 blood draws. At the first one I was 2 weeks and 3 days. my HCG was 9 and my progesterone was 22. 3 days later I had another draw, my HCG was 241 and my progesterone was 35. Yesterday, at 4 weeks and 2 days I had my third draw. When I got the results back my HCG was 3,759 but my progesterone had dropped down to 18. I know it can fluctuate but that seems like such a large dip to me? My PCP has been doing the draws because OB won’t see my until I’m 8 weeks. She said this is totally normal and that she’s not concerned, and won’t put me on suppositories because too much could be bad for baby. Has anyone else had a similar experience? By the time she called me the OB I plan on using was closed so I can’t call them until tomorrow. But this is my first baby and I’m downright terrified. All the women in my family needed the suppositories to carry to term and at this point I’ve had so many women tell me their miscarriage horror stories that I’m convinced now something is going to happen to my baby. And I just want it to be okay.

has anyone had something similar happen?

My HCG levels were 57,622 at 6w3d. I had light spotting today which triggered the test. They also set up a scan on Thursday which I’m terrified for given a prior MMC in July where pregnancy ended at 6w2d.

I know this HCG is on the higher side. Does that provide any indication that the pregnancy is likely viable? I know ultrasound is the real answer but trying to work with the data I have today. Thank you so much…

Hi all I experience my first pregnancy and loss on the 30/9 at 5 weeks and it was ruled as chemical and within two days my hcg had depleted to less than 5 ( not pregnant) I took a test yesterday had the faintest of lines now I don’t know if it was a true line or an indent (clear blue early test) started bleeding last night which lines up with my usual period start day still bleeding today not my normal chunky period style tho it’s just red when I wipe and minor clots on the pad but when I just used the bathroom my pad was quite light but I passed a clot just smaller then my palm in one go and my cramping in my lower pelvis and in my right side is terrible more than my usual cramps need advice on what to do