Q&A: Is a slow fetal heart rate at 6 weeks a bad sign?

by Dr. Gerard M. DiLeo

I'm 42 years old and pregnant for the second time. I miscarried my first in September and now in December am 6 weeks, 6 days pregnant -- today we went for the ultrasound and was told that the fetal heartbeat was slow. it measured 84, which is worrisome as anything under 100 is not a good sign. We were instructed to come back in 7 days for a new ultrasound. Is there any insight that you can provide? By the way, I am taking progesterone at 100 mg 2x a day because I miscarried my first.

By now, I'm sure you've gotten your answer. Yes, 84 really is worrisome. The progesterone is a good idea, but won't rescue a threatened miscarriage due to genetic problems at conception. Sometimes the heart rate can be slow due to immaturity of the cardiac electrical pathway, which needs to mature over the gestation.

I hope by now I'm wrong and it was nothing to worry about.

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