3 Possible causes of the fetus are not seen on ultrasound

The sight of the fetus during an ultrasound examination (USG) is a measure that you are pregnant. However, what is the cause if the fetus is not visible on ultrasound even though the pregnancy test results show a positive sign?

Do not worry just yet, there are various reasons why the fetus is not visible when pregnant. Here are the things you need to know.

What causes the fetus not to be seen on ultrasound?

Since being tested positive for pregnancy, it means that later you will regularly undergo prenatal checks on schedule.

This examination is usually in the form of an ultrasound check or pregnancy ultrasound, a procedure that uses a device with a high frequency wave.

The purpose of ultrasound examination is to determine the development of the baby and the mother's reproductive organs. Ultrasound is also usually used to monitor the sex of a prospective baby.

There are several types of ultrasound, including 3D ultrasound and 4D ultrasound, which you can choose according to your needs. Pregnant women often ask at how many weeks the fetus has been seen on ultrasound.

You can begin to do an ultrasound to check for the presence of the fetus around 4 weeks of gestation.

Launching from the March of Dimes, the first ultrasound or called the initial ultrasound can be done before 14 weeks of gestation.

However, this ultrasound examination can also be done in the second trimester of pregnancy at around 18-20 weeks.

When you first undergo an ultrasound examination, maybe you can't wait to see the development of your little one in the womb.

There are fetuses that are immediately visible so that their development can be seen, but there are also cases of fetuses not visible on ultrasound.

This certainly makes you anxious because you are wondering where the future baby is even though the pregnancy test results are positive.

Mothers need to understand, there are three possible causes for the fetus not to be seen on ultrasound:

1. Checking for pregnancy too early

Every expectant parent will be happy to see the double-striped mark when checking for pregnancy using a test pack.

Enthusiasm then continued to check the pregnancy to the doctor. Unfortunately, when checked, the fetus was still not visible.

This may make pregnant women wonder at how many weeks the fetus has been seen on ultrasound.

In fact, at the current gestational age the fetus should have started to appear.

One of the things that causes the fetus not to be seen on ultrasound is the examination at a very young age.

Instead of seeing your baby on the ultrasound screen, you haven't seen the fetus yet.

However, there is no need to worry because this is normal. Ultrasound examination will show clearer results around the 4th to 12th week of pregnancy.

At this gestational age, ultrasound aims to:

Confirm pregnancy
Check the fetal heart rate
Determine gestational age and estimated births
Checking multiple pregnancy
Diagnosing a miscarriage
Find out if there are any abnormal developments

2. Miscarriage

Miscarriage can be another cause of the fetus not being seen on ultrasound. Even though the test has shown a positive result, it is possible that some women have experienced bleeding before seeing a doctor.

The pregnancy test will still show positive results for 3 weeks after the miscarriage. This condition will continue until the hormones in the mother's body stabilize again.

3. Ectopic pregnancy

Ectopic pregnancy is also the cause of the fetus being invisible on ultrasound. Ectopic pregnancy is one of the complications of pregnancy that occurs when the pregnancy develops outside the uterus.

Unlike normal pregnancies that take place in the womb or uterus, ectopic pregnancies actually occur in the fallopian tubes or ovaries.

So, when an ultrasound scan is performed, the fetus is not visible. Ectopic pregnancy causes the fetus to be unable to develop due to the narrow space and insufficient blood supply to the fetus.

Unlike normal uterine pregnancies, ectopic pregnancies do not support full fetal development.

Things to do when the fetus is not visible on ultrasound

Each cause of the fetus not seen on ultrasound requires different treatment. This treatment is usually recommended on the recommendation of an obstetrician.

Based on the NSH Women and Children's Health page, the doctor begins the examination by asking about the symptoms you feel.

The doctor can also perform abdominal examinations and a series of blood tests to check pregnancy hormone levels as well as monitor changes.

Hopefully this blood test can help find out what really happened in early pregnancy. If needed, the doctor may also order an ultrasound scan for several weeks.

In the period of waiting until the fetus is clear, consult a doctor immediately if you feel any of the following:

The stomach hurts a lot
The shoulder hurts a lot
Bleeding from the vagina
Fainting
Unwell
Diarrhea

Here are some treatments that doctors will consider according to the cause of the fetus not developing during ultrasound:

1. Ultrasound examination is too early

If in early pregnancy the fetus is not detected on ultrasound, the doctor will find out the cause of this condition while asking you to wait for the fetus to develop first.

Because it is possible that the cause of the fetus is not visible when on ultrasound, namely because the examination was carried out too early or during early pregnancy.

If you experience this, there is no special treatment from the doctor except letting the fetus develop according to gestational age.

Furthermore, when the control schedule has been determined, you can see the progress of your little one.

Further pregnancy checks are usually carried out again within 2-3 weeks after the first check.

2. Miscarriage

Meanwhile, in the case of a miscarriage, the obstetrician will recommend that you do more control to make sure the uterine wall is back to normal.

The mother may experience bleeding and feel discomfort in the uterine area after doing the curette.

However, over time, the pain will gradually subside until it goes away. However, if you still feel pain, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

3. Ectopic pregnancy

During an ectopic pregnancy, the fetus is certainly not visible on the ultrasound scan. Ectopic pregnancy is very rare.

To confirm the potential for an ectopic pregnancy, the doctor will recommend blood checks and other tests if necessary.

Is there anything you need to avoid?

After knowing the clear cause why the fetus is not visible on ultrasound, the doctor will provide treatment according to your condition.

After that, you can resume your activities normally. If necessary, you may need to rest first before returning to a hectic pace of activity, for example, when working.

In essence, try to do what you feel capable and appropriate but still understand the condition of your own body.

Doctors usually ask mothers not to travel far out of town or abroad, have sex, and do strenuous exercise until pregnancy can be clearly confirmed.