The baby only measured 1cm which from my research isnt as big as most are this far long however Im not panicking about that as Ive been told all fetal development is different. Ive also taken some comfort in how nauseated ive been which to me is a good sign, but not so fun! So as of now I am relaxed and excited!!
So if you are only 5 weeks it sounds like your development is very good seeing both a fetal pole and hb. Did he mention what the heartrate was?? I am not sure what the "likely" fetal pole means because if there is a heartbeat then there is definitely a fetal pole there!! The hcg values vary so much that it seems it would be hard to gauge development by the hcg level except that they say you won't see anything on u/s until you are over 1000 or so. Best of luck.
If your doctor is concerned about miscarriage, blighted ovum, or ectopic pregnancy, the gestational sac and fetal pole (if visible) will be measured to determine what type of development should be seen. The guideline is that if the gestational sac measures >16-18mm with no fetal pole or the fetal pole measures 5mm with no heartbeat (by vaginal ultrasound), then a diagnosis of miscarriage or blighted ovum is made.
The fetal heart undergoes a considerable amount of growth very early in pregnancy. The most critical period of its development is between three and seven weeks after fertilization, when a simple heart tube assumes the shape of a four-chambered heart. In fact, the heart actually begins beating by the 22nd day of life.
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