Whether the ultrasound does not show. Why does the ultrasound not show pregnancy, but the test results are opposite? For those who monitor the basal temperature

25.04.2019

A delay in menstruation, a deterioration in well-being, the onset of nausea, a change in taste and smell are signs that many women experience in connection with pregnancy. To make sure that this physiological state has occurred, some people purchase a special test at the pharmacy. After passing it, appropriate conclusions are drawn.

Finding out about the onset of pregnancy using the test is quite simple. You just need to see how many stripes appeared after it passed. If there are two of them, then the result means that the pregnancy has come. If one feature appears on the indicator, then this means that conception did not occur.

The presence of two strips on the test is a reason to visit a gynecologist to register with a antenatal clinic. Doctors of all patients are sent for ultrasound to confirm pregnancy. However, in some people who test positive, the ovum cannot be visualized. When is pregnancy not detected by ultrasound examination?

Why the fertilized egg is not visualized on scanning with a positive test

There are many reasons why ultrasound does not indicate that pregnancy has occurred. One of them is an expired or defective test. Buying an expired test can be avoided. The expiration date is indicated on the packaging, so you should always pay attention to it. But it is impossible to find out if the test is defective. To avoid a false positive result, it is recommended to buy different tests in the amount of several pieces.

Another possible reason for the absence of the ovum may be an ectopic pregnancy. With this complication, during an ultrasound examination, sonologists reveal free fluid behind the uterus and a heterogeneous volumetric formation in the region of one of the fallopian tubes and the ovary, do not detect a fertilized egg in the uterus. In order to confirm an ectopic pregnancy, women are prescribed a transvaginal ultrasound scan and a blood test to determine the level of hCG (chorionic gonadotropin).

Pregnancy may not be detected by ultrasound if done too early. You should go to the gynecologist no earlier than 10 days after the delay. It is also worth noting that a sonologist can perform a transvaginal or abdominal scan:

1. The first type of research is considered more informative, because the sensor is inserted into the vagina. The fertilized egg is visualized at an early stage during transvaginal scanning.

2. For abdominal ultrasound, the specialist places the probe on the front wall of the abdomen. This study allows you to determine the onset of pregnancy a little later than transvaginal.

Abdominal scan

A blood test shows pregnancy, but the scan does not show the fetus

Chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone that is produced in the human body. The norm of hCG in women is 0-5 mU / ml. With the onset of pregnancy, this value increases significantly. In the first hours after fertilization, the level of the hormone in the blood rises slightly. By the 5-7th week, the rate of chorionic gonadotropin increases several thousand times.

A blood test for hCG is one of the ways to determine the onset of pregnancy. However, there are cases when the results reveal a significant increase in the level of the hormone, and the ultrasound does not confirm the onset of pregnancy. This is possible if women have serious health problems:

1. Chorionacarcinoma. This is a rare cancer that occurs due to the malignant transformation of the chorionic epithelium.

2. Tumors in the ovaries, uterus, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, lungs. Neoplasms that arise in the human body are an urgent problem. They are detected in many women, regardless of age. The appearance of tumors causes hormonal imbalance. That is why a blood test sometimes indicates that pregnancy has come, and the results of an ultrasound scan indicate the absence of a fetal egg in the uterus.

3. Bubble drift. This term refers to an abnormality in the formation of the ovum. The embryo does not develop. Chorionic villi grow in the form of bubbles filled with liquid. A cystic drift is formed as a result of the fertilization of a defective egg.

Scanning is one of the methods for determining pregnancy

In obstetric and gynecological practice, among the existing diagnostic methods (computed tomography, X-ray examination), the leading position is taken by ultrasound.

It is used not only to diagnose various diseases, but also to determine pregnancy. During the ultrasound, the doctor performs the following actions:

visualizes the ovum in the uterine cavity (if it is detected, then the assumption about the presence of pregnancy is confirmed);
determines the number of embryonic objects;
assesses the structure and size of the ovum (the specialist uses the information received to calculate the gestational age);
examines the state of the uterine cavity, examines the ovaries.

Ultrasound is used to determine pregnancy due to its absolute safety. This diagnostic method does not have a negative effect on the female body and fetus. Another advantage of ultrasound examination is its high resolution. Conducting transabdominal, transvaginal ultrasound allows you to form a clear ultrasound picture. However, there are times when this diagnostic method indicates that there is no pregnancy, although the test and blood test results for hCG indicate the opposite.

When the pregnancy is not visible on a scan

Many factors affect the detection of the ovum:

1. Pathological changes. With inflammation occurring in the uterine cavity, edema of the mucous membranes occurs. Because of him, the sonologist is faced with difficulties in identifying pregnancy.

2. Features of the structure of the uterus. In some women, this organ has the usual shape, in others it is not. Because of this, specialists in the second group of patients sometimes do not detect the ovum, although in fact it is in the uterus.

3. Professionalism of the doctor. Ultrasound examinations should be performed by a sonologist. An important factor affecting the reliability of the results is the work experience of a specialist.

4. Equipment. Specialists get false results as a result of using old technology. It is desirable to use scanners with the highest possible resolution, but, unfortunately, not every medical institution is equipped with modern equipment.

Pregnancy may be absent altogether. Positive tests and blood test results are sometimes attributed to taking hormonal medications. If any treatment is being carried out, then the specialist should be informed about it before undergoing an ultrasound examination. The doctor will take into account the information received when interpreting the results.

What to do if pregnancy is not visible on the scan

Many women begin to worry and worry when the test is positive, and on an ultrasound examination, specialists find that there is no ovum. You need to be prepared for any results, because in the early stages, the methods for determining pregnancy cannot guarantee the receipt of correct information.

In order not to find themselves in such situations, women are advised to:

1. Perform pregnancy tests several times before visiting a sonologist. There should be intervals of several days between them. The first test may indicate the presence of pregnancy, and the subsequent ones may indicate its absence. Invalid results are possible when tests are found to be defective or flawed.

2. Undergo an ultrasound scan several times. Ultrasound examinations are harmless to the adult human body and fetus, so they can be performed repeatedly. If you get a negative result, you can come back for scans to other medical institutions. Transvaginal ultrasound examination was recommended.

3. In case of doubtful results, it is imperative to donate blood for analysis to determine the level of hCG. If the concentration of the hormone is within the normal range, and the scan does not reveal the presence of the ovum, then a positive pregnancy test is not taken into account by specialists. Most likely, a defective or spoiled test was used by the woman. If the level of chorionic gonadotropin is increased, and an ultrasound scan indicates that there is no ovum, then the specialist may have made a mistake in interpreting the scan results.

In conclusion, it should be noted that the test is a simple and informative way to determine pregnancy. It can be done at home. However, you do not need to rely on the results. There are other highly informative ways to determine pregnancy. Women are advised to make final decisions only after undergoing comprehensive examinations.

Expectation of pregnancy is a thrilling time for couples who day and night dream of a baby. Even if the test showed two stripes, the expectant mother wants to know for sure. When a pregnancy is seen on an ultrasound scan is a question that worries many expectant mothers.

Alas, it will not be possible to determine pregnancy using ultrasound before the delay. The embryo, although it develops very quickly, is still too small.

And for how long will ultrasound be informative? You can get pregnant on the day of ovulation or within the next few days. After that, the fertilized egg enters the uterine lining and becomes fixed.

The specialist must have sufficient qualifications to carry out such a fine diagnosis. To find out how long an ultrasound shows pregnancy, it is better to contact a specialized clinic. Of course, the clinic must be equipped with modern equipment - a high-resolution ultrasound scanner is needed.

A highly qualified specialist working on high-quality equipment can use ultrasound to determine pregnancy as early as 5-6 days after the delay. At this time, the size of the embryo is about 3-5 mm in diameter. Accordingly, it will take about 3 weeks (21 days after conception). Of course, a pregnancy test is recommended before the examination. The clarity of the second strip depends on the level of hCG, which increases with the duration of pregnancy.

Fertilization could have occurred the day before ovulation, and a few days later, the doctor will be able to tell the exact date. Depending on the day after ovulation or before it, conception took place, and the informativeness of the study in the coming days after the delay will depend.

Is it possible to do an ultrasound so early?

If you are going to go for an ultrasound scan on your own initiative only to find out "yes or no", then it is better to donate blood for hCG analysis. This method is informative and completely safe. In some cases, it even shows an "interesting position" 1-2 days before the delay.

Why not rush to get an ultrasound?

The effect of ultrasound on the fetus has not yet been fully understood. It is officially stated that there is no evidence that ultrasound can harm the fetus. However, its complete safety has not been proven. There is evidence from Russian and foreign scientists that such a study still affects the embryo. We, of course, do not call for completely abandoning ultrasound during pregnancy. Smart doctors recommend carrying out the study four times during the entire period of bearing the baby. More - only for strict indications. Not to satisfy your curiosity.
At such a short time (3-4 weeks after conception), the ovum is not always visible. And this can be an additional cause for concern. In order for pregnancy to be seen during the study, there must be no inflammation of the uterine mucosa. Because of it, swelling occurs, and the ovum will be invisible. There are other reasons why the doctor may not see the unborn baby, although in fact he is.
At this time, the doctor can only confirm your position and exclude an ectopic pregnancy. It is too early to judge whether the fetus is developing correctly.

When ultrasound is prescribed

You need to know how long an ultrasound scan is considered correct by doctors. There are periods during which all pregnant women undergo ultrasound screening. The study helps to identify possible malformations. The doctor determines whether the size of the fetus corresponds to the gestational age, examines the placenta, uterus, and measures the heartbeat. Evaluates the parameters of fetal development, excludes the development of pathologies. Screening is first performed at 11-14 weeks, then at 20-24, at 30-32 and at 36-37 weeks. It is during these periods that the study is most informative. In the process of the first diagnosis, such important data as the size of the ovum, how it is attached to the uterus, are determined. Ultrasound during pregnancy allows you to exclude deviations in the development of the child.

It should be done for up to 10 weeks only in special cases. Experts do not advise diagnosing in the early stages of pregnancy, unless the doctor speaks of such a need.

Indications for early research

In some situations, the gynecologist may prescribe a procedure without waiting 10 weeks. Here are some indications:

If, with a delay and a second strip that appears on the test, the gynecologist does not observe signs of pregnancy during the examination;
In the presence of painful sensations in the lower abdomen (to exclude the ectopic and the threat of miscarriage);
With a delay of menstruation for 2 weeks, after which spotting began. This could mean a threat of interruption;
If there is a suspicion of a frozen pregnancy;
Recent infectious diseases and exposure to teratogenic factors;
If conception occurred with an intrauterine device;
History of miscarriage.

Early pregnancy ultrasound is performed not only to confirm conception. Sometimes there are cases when there is a long delay, but the gynecologist claims that fertilization did not occur. Then an ultrasound scan is necessary to identify the cause - it can be various gynecological pathologies (the formation of cysts, the presence of inflammation, etc.). They should be identified as early as possible.

How is the procedure performed

Types of ultrasound of early pregnancy:

Transvaginal ultrasound - pregnancy is confirmed during the study using a special sensor, on which a condom is put on for ultrasound and inserted into the vagina. This method is the most accurate and is used for the earliest diagnosis. Ultrasound shows pregnancy by 21-22 days from conception.
Transabdominal. The sensor is applied to the abdomen. Thus, the signal from the uterus needs to travel a greater distance. Therefore, the necessary data can be obtained after another 2 weeks - approximately at the 5th week. In cases where a thick layer of subcutaneous tissue is present, this period increases.

A transvaginal ultrasound should not be performed if there is pain and pulling sensations in the lower abdomen, as well as if brown or bloody discharge is disturbing.

At an early stage, it is possible to determine pregnancy by ultrasound with an accuracy of several days, because all babies during this period develop in the same way.

During pregnancy, two-, three-, and four-dimensional ultrasound can be performed. However, in the early stages, only two-dimensional is used as the safest.

How to prepare for the study? Flatulence can affect the clarity of the data obtained - gases can interfere with the structure of the uterus. To avoid this, it is advised to stick to a diet prior to the study. 3 days before the ultrasound, exclude from the diet:

legumes;
cabbage;
rich pastries;
soda;
fresh fruits.

For a transabdominal ultrasound, the bladder needs to be full. You should drink a few glasses of still mineral water an hour before the procedure.

If pregnancy is not confirmed

You need to know not only when the ultrasound will show pregnancy, but also the reasons why it is not confirmed. Sometimes the test indicates that there is a pregnancy, but the embryo is not detected during an ultrasound examination. For example, if the procedure is carried out too early. With a delay of several days, the test may already show a second strip, however, an embryo may not be noticed on ultrasound - its size is less than one millimeter. Therefore, you do not need to immediately run for an ultrasound scan. Even if you are impatient, you should wait 2 weeks.

Chorionic gonadotropin can increase due to tumor formations in the liver, as well as with cystic drift during pregnancy - this is a dangerous anomaly, so there is a need for additional research.

The probability of error when conducting an ultrasound scan in the early stages is approximately 1:10. It may be due to poor quality equipment or insufficient qualifications of a specialist. However, such cases are becoming more rare. As a rule, even at an early stage, the doctor can determine the exact date of conception.

It is interesting, of course, to find out after how many days you can see the sex of the child. But in the early stages, no one will report this. Therefore, it will be possible to choose pink or blue with confidence only after 15-18 weeks.

When an ultrasound scan shows pregnancy: this question is one of the most exciting for women. It arises when there is either a delay in the next menstruation, or symptoms that make you think about an "interesting situation." But it makes no sense to go the next day after the delay - pregnancy on an ultrasound scan is not immediately visible, and the test is not the most informative way.

On what day it is worth carrying out this diagnosis, which method of ultrasound diagnostics to choose, what its results will depend on - we will consider further.

Fertilization can occur on the day of ovulation (approximately the middle of the cycle) or over the next several days, if the sperm has time to "get" to the egg.

In the future, this fusion of two cells should reach the uterus, penetrate into its mucous layer, where the further development of the embryo will take place.

Conception is almost impossible if the ultrasound of the patency of the fallopian tubes, which you did at the planning stage of the child, showed that these critical parts of the reproductive system are impassable.

In order for an ultrasound to detect pregnancy, several conditions must be met:

a sufficient period for the "tubercle", which the developing embryo is presented to be, not only visible, but also distinguishable from a polyp of the mucous membrane
the absence of an inflammatory process in the mucous membrane of the uterus, as it provokes its edema - as a result, the ovum needs to be larger in order to be visible
the correct choice of diagnostic method
high resolution ultrasound scanner
the study is carried out by a sonologist who specializes in diagnosing pregnancy according to (doctors of multidisciplinary centers do it worse than uzists of obstetric and gynecological clinics).

On what day of delay will the ultrasound show pregnancy? If the qualifications of the doctor and the permission of the device allow you to see a formation with a diameter of 3-5 mm, then you can find out whether you are pregnant or not with a delay of 5-6 days. These 5 days will be approximately equal to 3 weeks from conception.

It is more informative to undergo an ultrasound scan to determine pregnancy 10 days after the delay using a vaginal sensor. You also need to know that in such a period the sonologist does not diagnose "Ectopic pregnancy", but can only suspect it.

Types of ultrasound to determine pregnancy

Transvaginal ultrasound is performed with a special sensor that is inserted into the vagina. It is considered the most informative method, it determines pregnancy at the very early stages - from 3-4 weeks or even earlier.
Abdominal ultrasound. In this case, the sensor is located on the front wall of the abdomen, and in order to "reach" the uterus, it needs to cover a greater distance than during vaginal examination. Accordingly, when will the ultrasound show conception? - 2 weeks later, that is, 5 weeks later. And if a woman has a large layer of subcutaneous tissue, then later.

Each of these types has nuances of its use, which we will consider below.

Preparation for research

In order to make the diagnosis more accurate, it is necessary that the gases in your intestines do not interfere with the examination of the internal structures of the uterus and fallopian tubes. To do this, it is advisable that you stop eating within 3 days before the study:

legumes
cabbage
fresh fruits
muffin
and drink carbonated drinks.

When is it necessary to do an ultrasound scan for pregnancy

If there is a delay in menstruation, the test produces a weak second strip. In this case, before going to an ultrasound scan, you need to determine the blood chorionic gonadotropin and remember its level. This may be needed later.
With a delay in menstruation and a positive test, if the gynecologist, upon examination, does not see any signs that you will soon become a mother.
If the delay is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen.
Menstruation "delayed" by 1.5-2 weeks or more ("failure" in 5-7 days is considered acceptable), then there was a discharge of blood of any volume and any color, even if it is a small amount of brown discharge.

How the research is done

A vaginal examination is done with an empty bladder.
The woman takes off everything below the waist, lies down on the couch and bends her knees.
A small diameter probe in the condom is inserted into the vagina.
Determination of pregnancy using ultrasound is possible from the 5th day of delay in menstruation (better if later).

In the same way, 3d ultrasound is done during pregnancy. With this method, an ultrasound scan to determine pregnancy can be done from 7-10 days from a delay in monthly bleeding.

Deciphering the data of ultrasound diagnostics

On ultrasound, the signs of pregnancy at the initial stages are as follows:

a drop-shaped or rounded hypoechoic formation is found
its diameter is 3-5 mm or more (depending on the period)
the formation is surrounded by a thin shell
if the pregnancy is uterine, this formation (ovum) is located in the area of the tubal angle of the uterus (less often - lower in the uterine cavity)
if the pregnancy is ectopic, the presence of a mass with such characteristics is described in the fallopian tube, in the cervical region or in the abdominal cavity.

In addition, ultrasound can determine pregnancy indirectly - by the presence of a corpus luteum. Normally, this small endocrine gland should regress with the onset of menstruation. But if their due date has approached, and there is a corpus luteum, this indicates that you are probably pregnant.

The most common questions about ultrasound diagnostics

1. What does it mean if the test shows pregnancy, but the ultrasound does not

These can be such situations:

You went on this research early. Look again how much ultrasound shows pregnancy: at least 5 days should pass after a delay in menstruation. And this figure applies only to transvaginal research.
You have an ectopic pregnancy that is not yet visible on an ultrasound scan. Do not rush to panic, donate blood to the level of human chorionic gonadotropin. It should be at least 1000 IU / L. Retry this analysis in 1.5-2 weeks, the level should increase significantly (at 4-5 weeks it is 5-30 thousand IU / L).
Somewhere there is an additional source of chorionic gonadotropin production, which makes the second strip appear on the test. It can be such pathologies of pregnancy as cystic drift, and some liver tumors. In this case, it is also necessary to conduct a repeated ultrasound examination and the determination of hCG in dynamics.

2. When is the best time to do an ultrasound to determine pregnancy

In order not to be tormented by the unknown, it is best to undergo diagnostics at the 5th gestational week, that is, 20-22 days from the delay in menstruation. Of course, on an ultrasound scan, you can see pregnancy earlier - 5-10 days from the delay.

But the detection of the ovum alone does not mean that it is developing: there is such a pathology as "anembryogeny". This means that the ovum consists only of membranes, and there is no embryo in them.

It is at the 5th week that the heart of the embryo begins to contract for the first time, which can be fixed using a vaginal sensor (by the abdominal method - from 6-7 weeks). The further state of the state of the heart and blood vessels of the fetus will help the ultrasound scan during pregnancy, which is carried out from 24 weeks.

3. Where is this diagnosis done?

Where to get an ultrasound scan for pregnancy. This is best done not in multidisciplinary diagnostic centers, but on the basis of maternity hospitals, antenatal clinics, family planning centers as a free option.

Paid ultrasound for pregnant women can be performed in medical centers, clinics specializing in the diagnosis and management of pregnancy. The cost of research for short periods is from 1000 to 2100 rubles.

Better to prevent than to cure

It has not been proven that ultrasound can harm the fetus, but the opposite is unclear. Therefore, all specialists in the field of ultrasound diagnostics came to the conclusion that the first ultrasound should be done no earlier than 10-12 weeks, when the rudiments of organs and systems have already formed. Besides, vaginal examination increases the risk of miscarriage.

Therefore, a study to determine pregnancy must be done according to the strict indications indicated above. Doing this for the sake of a photo in a family album is an impermissible careless attitude towards a child.

In order to protect yourself as much as possible from undergoing an ultrasound scan at the initial stages, it is best to undergo an ultrasound scan when planning a pregnancy. This is done in the first half of the cycle (as soon as menstruation is over), provides information about the state of the uterus and appendages.

In addition, it is necessary to exclude the presence of chronic diseases in oneself and the father of the unborn child. For this, such specialists as an ophthalmologist, endocrinologist and cardiologist pass, a woman donates blood for the level of thyroid hormones, markers of viral hepatitis and TORCH infection.

So, when the ultrasound shows pregnancy, the doctors will explain that the fertilized egg can be seen within 5 days after the delay. More precisely, so that you do not have to re-conduct the study in such a short period of time, it is better to undergo this diagnosis in 2-3 weeks from the moment of the first day of the "not started" menstruation. If there are no contraindications, the optimal ultrasound technique for diagnosing conception is transvaginal.

For a couple looking to get pregnant and have a baby, every delay in menstruation is an exciting moment. But not the onset of monthly menstrual bleeding in due time is not a reliable sign of conception. The delay may indicate a hormonal disruption in the woman's body.

To date, the onset of pregnancy is determined using several reliable methods: a pharmacy test, an ultrasound scan, determination of hCG in the blood or the human chorionic gonadotropin hormone.

Ways to confirm pregnancy

Most pharmacy tests for determining pregnancy at home are intended to be used on the first day of a delay in menstruation. However, one should not forget about the varying degrees of reliability of the results. Reasons that affect accuracy include:

Quality level. Unfortunately, there are manufacturers that do not have a high quality product.
Day of delayed menstruation. Pregnancy can be determined on any day, but in the first days of the delay, the error in the results is noted more often.
The period of the day in which the testing is carried out. The most optimal time of the day for the procedure is morning.
Failure to follow the recommendations for performing the procedure.

To determine pregnancy, the test should not be used immediately after sexual contact, but only after 10-14 days. This specificity of the procedure can be explained simply: the production of a hormone that indicates conception begins only after the fertilized egg reaches the uterus and is securely fixed there ...

Modern pregnancy tests work by using the hCG hormone indicator, which appears in the urine of a pregnant woman. It is worth conducting a test at least two weeks after the intended conception, because before that the hormone level is too low

Usually, when testing in the early stages, the appearance of the second strip is barely noticeable. If, nevertheless, the long-awaited two stripes appeared, then this is 99% confirmation of pregnancy, but the negative result must be double-checked.

The hormone that indicates the successful fertilization of the egg and its attachment to the wall of the uterus is called hCG or human chorionic gonadotropin. It is advisable to determine the level of hCG several times, that is, to obtain reliable results, it is recommended to conduct a laboratory blood test.

Most women consider ultrasound to be the most reliable way to determine a successful conception. However, this diagnostic technique is not flawless, and in some cases the data are not always reliable. Therefore, a combination of diagnostic methods is often used: they combine a transvaginal study with the determination of the level of the hCG hormone in a woman's blood.

The optimal time for determining pregnancy using ultrasound

To obtain the most accurate results, ultrasound is not recommended to be performed at the earliest possible date. Gynecologists, based on their experience, prescribe an ultrasound procedure no earlier than 3 weeks after the first day of the delay. This period is considered the most suitable for reliably determining the presence of the ovum and even for fixing the first contractions of the heart muscle of the embryo.

Sometimes, during an ultrasound, a pathology called anembryogeny becomes visible. This is a condition when the presence of an empty ovum is determined in the uterus, i.e. there is only the fetal membrane, and there is no embryo inside.

The doctor will be able to see the fact of pregnancy on an ultrasound examination. However, an ultrasound scan too early will not be informative: at least 3 weeks must pass since the last delay in menstruation to confirm or deny the presence of an embryo.

Ultrasound diagnostics to confirm pregnancy

For the diagnosis of pregnancy at the earliest possible date, the most commonly used and informative method is the ultrasound technique. Using an ultrasound examination, a specialist establishes the existence of a fertilized egg and determines its location in the uterus.

Sometimes there are situations when the results of home testing and ultrasound examination do not match. How is this caused and how is it explained? There are some factors that suggest the development of this situation. According to statistics, there are many cases when a positive test result is combined with the absence of a fetal egg on an ultrasound scan.

In this connection, the positive test results do not coincide with the ultrasound data?

There are several reasons that, in the absence of an embryo in the uterus, an ultrasound scan may show a positive test. Often, swelling of the mucous membranes of the uterus, caused by inflammatory processes, does not allow determining the presence of a fetus in the early stages. The non-standard shape of the reproductive organs becomes the reason for the difficult diagnosis of conception. In women with such anatomical features, pregnancy is often not visible until later.

Outdated diagnostic ultrasound devices give a high error in the results. Incorrect technique readings prevent the specialist from seeing the embryo. The ultrasound procedure can only be performed by a highly qualified specialist in the gynecological department who examines pregnant women. The degree of qualification of the sonologist is of great importance and significantly affects the reliability of the research results. Only a doctor is involved in decoding data and images.

There are situations when the ovum is confused with uterine fibroids, or as a result of a medical error, the embryo is not found at all. In addition, there are still significant reasons why the ovum is not detected on an ultrasound scan.

Early pregnancy

There are excellent quality tests with a high degree of sensitivity, which are designed to be used as early as a week after the intended conception and will certainly give an accurate result. While not all ultrasound diagnostics specialists will be able to see the presence of an embryo at such a short time. And today, modern equipment is not always used in diagnostic rooms. If, in addition to the delay in menstruation, there are no other signs of conception, it is imperative to undergo a general gynecological examination and donate blood for the determination of the hCG hormone.

Ectopic pregnancy

An embryo that develops outside the uterine cavity. Ultrasound does not detect the presence of a fetal egg in the uterus during an ectopic pregnancy. In such cases, the embryo begins to develop not in the uterine cavity, but in the fallopian tube. This pathology requires urgent surgical intervention. The woman is prepared for surgery and immediate removal of the ovum is performed, often with a tube. If the diagnosis is not timely, the fallopian tube bursts, and a fatal outcome is possible. An accurate confirmation or refutation of an ectopic pregnancy is obtained using the procedure of laparoscopy, based on the data obtained, a decision is made on further medical tactics.

If a woman has an ectopic pregnancy, the doctor will also not be able to see the fetus on an ultrasound scan, because initially only the uterine cavity is checked. This pathology is a direct indication for urgent surgical intervention.

Failure to follow instructions

Failure to follow instructions for home testing. Also, there are not high-quality products of pharmaceutical companies. However, the fair sex themselves often neglect the sequence of the procedure. The most common mistakes: keep the strip in urine for less or more than the recommended time, or evaluate the results after an hour or two, and not after a few minutes, as indicated in the instructions. In such cases, a second pale streak may appear. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the procedure exactly, and the reliability of the result is guaranteed to you.

Pathological conditions

There are pathologies, the development of which is accompanied by the production of the hCG hormone. The second strip on the pharmacy test sometimes appears not only as a result of conception. There may also be sources of chronic gonadotropin: various hepatic tumors, the development of a pathology called cystic drift. There are cases of the appearance of a second strip during the test, even in men. In this case, it is imperative to visit a general practitioner and take an analysis to determine hCG in the blood.

A recent miscarriage or missed pregnancy can give false positives when tested at home. This is considered normal only for some time after the sad event.

How to behave if the results of ultrasound and test do not match?

Experiences caused by different results of various methods of diagnosing pregnancy can harm the health of the future baby and mother. Therefore, if you are faced with a situation where you saw a positive result on the test, and the ultrasound does not confirm pregnancy, the main thing is not to panic and not accept all the results with absolute confidence.

It is necessary to take into account the likelihood of possible errors in the ultrasound device, as well as the possibility of medical error. You should not make hasty decisions about surgery when establishing a diagnosis of a frozen or ectopic pregnancy, based only on the results of an ultrasound scan with a positive test.

In social networks, now you can find a lot of information about gross medical errors, about how, through carelessness or incompetence of a specialist, a developing embryo was not detected in time. There are different situations, and the fertilized egg did not attach correctly or died. If the ovum is not detected by ultrasound, with other signs of conception, the doctor must conduct a mandatory additional examination, consisting of a laboratory blood test to determine the hCG hormone, a repeated ultrasound examination on another device, and possibly from another sonologist.