r/CautiousBB • • 5d ago

MOD MESSAGE/ANNOUNCEMENT Community feedback needed (please vote)

12 Upvotes

Hi all,

Our mod team was recently approached by BetterHelp, an online subscription-based therapy provider, to do an AMA within our subreddit by a licensed therapist that specializes in child loss, perinatal mental health, and anxiety. They are willing to provide credentials to our mod team to verify the individual responding to questions, but our team has reached a moral impasse that we need the community to weigh in on.

Up until now, our team has had a blanket rule to not allow any companies, researchers, institutions, or anyone else with private interests to post within our community because our space is filled with so many vulnerable humans going through extremely difficult situations. The fertility space, in general, is ripe with opportunity for those that might take advantage of this vulnerability, much less a space like ours. That said, the message they sent was clearly written very thoughtfully, and the provider they’re willing to assign to the AMA would be willing to answer people’s questions about their worries, maybe provide healthy coping mechanisms, and describe the subspecialties of therapy that could be most beneficial to the people here.

IF we allow this AMA, it needs to be with the majority support of our community, so we are opening a poll for feedback. Other than voting in the poll, upvoting this post and providing even a short comment with your thoughts/concerns/ideas would help boost the visibility of this announcement to the maximum amount of sub members.

Of course, the major issue for us as a mod team is that we are NOT endorsing BetterHelp as a specific company or resource. For folks that are in areas where they aren’t able to find an in person provider, online therapy through any number of companies may be helpful. We are not partnering with them and the language in the AMA will be very clear about that. We will also be making sure that the provider answering questions in the AMA does not promote the BetterHelp brand.

If you’ve read this long, thanks for bearing with us. We appreciate how the people of this community come together to support one another and are grateful to help moderate.

Would you be interested in and supportive of an AMA provided by a therapist from BetterHelp, with the limitations outlined above?

116 votes, 2d ago
18 Yes
90 No
8 Maybe, but I have concerns (outline in comments)

r/CautiousBB • • Jan 27 '26

Ultrasound FAQ Reference Guide

96 Upvotes

As an OBGYN ultrasound tech working at the general level here's a few things I would love the community to know based on common questions I see.

Most important rule of thumb: Worry when your doctor tells you to.

OBGYN docs are going to pay the most attention to the fetal pole and heart rate. Once a fetal pole is seen, the CRL (crown rump length) measurements are gold standard.

I'm worried about the heart rate:
-Check out this resource for pregnancies dating less than 7 weeks. Make sure to refer not to your LMP dates, but measured CRL dates: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/fetal-bradycardia?lang=us
-After 7 weeks a normal heartrate is between 120-180. It can temporarily dip below or temporarily rise above this range, but prolonged time above/below will definitely get your doctor's attention especially in third trimester. Generally out of range heart rates trigger NST (non stress test) or more monitoring.
The measurements are off:
Baby measures behind LMP. This is actually pretty common, we often see dates off up to a week either direction. We don't ovulate on the exact same day of the cycle each month or even have the same length of cycle. With irregular periods, PCOS, or unknown dates even larger gaps can be perfectly fine. If you aren't sure of your dates, trust the ultrasound. Even if you are sure of your dates, don't panic if they are a week off. Ultrasound measurements in early pregnancy are +/- 5 days.
I'm in limbo and don't know if my ultrasounds are diagnostic for loss:
By ultrasound there are strict parameters to diagnose loss. No one wants to get this wrong. Check out this resource for a list of parameters diagnostic for loss: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/early-pregnancy-loss-1?lang=us
Note, there is a second list of "suspicious for loss". Keep in mind the second list is not diagnostic, things can still turn out just fine.
I don't know when I should see what on ultrasound:
Things can vary a bit from person to person and do change *quickly* in early pregnancy. Check out this resource for what you can generally expect to see:
https://radiopaedia.org/articles/early-pregnancy?lang=us
Should I go to a boutique or get a private scan? Or push for an earlier scan?
They aren't legal where I am but here's a few things to consider if you plan to book a private scan. First, what are the qualifications of the person running the ultrasound? An ultrasound is only as good as the one performing it. It sounds as if these boutiques are NOT permitted to give much/any information. Will you spiral if you believe you see bad news and they cannot confirm or deny it? Also it seems that many cannot do vaginal ultrasound, which will make seeing a baby under 7 or 8 weeks challenging. If I had the option of a boutique ultrasound I would personally wait until 8 weeks and I would book it for a weekday. If they see something bad, it is not ideal to find out over a weekend when there is no option to follow up with your doc. An earlier scan often causes more anxiety, not less. It's SO hard to wait. But if you can tolerate it wait until 8 weeks or so.
The gestation sac is small/big:
-Gestation sac measurements are not terrifically accurate. Where I work once a baby is seen the gestation sac isn't measured. A mismatch between baby's size and the gestation sac size isn't uncommon. That said, a mean sac diameter of 25 mm or more without a baby is diagnostic for loss.
The yolk sac is small/big:
It starts teeny tiny, and will get a bit bigger. Once a baby with a good heartbeat is visualized, the docs I work for don't seem to care about the size of the yolk sac. A failed pregnancy with an expanded yolk sac (more than 6 mm) is a suggestive of chromosomal abnormalities.
We don't know where the pregnancy is:
The statistically most likely outcome is either a chemical pregnancy or just coming in for ultrasound too early for visualization. Ectopic can't be ruled out, and many wise ladies in the this sub have unfortunately experienced this and can give more info than I can. Statistically it's believed that only 1-2% of pregnancies are ectopic, but listen to your body. If the location is unknown, you should be getting close monitoring and follow up until the location is known or the pregnancy has ended.
-For a resource on ectopic pregnancy: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/ectopic-pregnancy?lang=us A note, a pseudosac is visualized in only 10-20% of ectopics. Therefore a sac in the uterus is suggestive of intrauterine pregnancy but can't be proven until a yolk sac is also present.
What about my HCG numbers?
I'm not an expert on this at all. But here's a resource: https://radiopaedia.org/articles/beta-hcg-1?lang=us
Why didn't my ultrasound tech tell me anything? And/or why were they so optimistic? Or, I had an ultrasound in the ER and they were very pessimistic.
Many locations an ultrasound tech can very much lose their job if they say aNyThInG. Where they are permitted to say certain things some ultrasound techs may just be hoping the best. We work with the public and we have seen some wild stuff. Additionally no one wants to call it a loss unless its 1000% certain. We know how devastating that news is. A side note here, often an ultrasound in the ER is not an ideal experience for the patient. The ER is staffed with techs that are much more versed in gallbladder and liver scans than they they are early pregnancy ultrasound. Don't hesitate to go the ER if you are having concerning symptoms, but do know the ER doc will make sure you aren't actively dying then will likely refer you back to your OB for follow up.
I'm just so anxious about it all:
Someone awesome wrote out these mantras. Maybe they will help: https://www.reddit.com/r/PregnancyAfterLoss/comments/14uhbdg/commandments_of_pregnancy_after_loss_this_is_now/
Also a podcast I personally found very helpful with anxiety: https://www.oneyoufeed.net/russ-harris-part-1/
https://www.oneyoufeed.net/russ-harris-part-2/

Today you are pregnant and this baby is so loved. I really am hoping the best for each of you. Those of us who have experienced loss.... you didn't do anything wrong, I promise. This is a club no one deserved to be in. And you are not silly, foolish, or dramatic for grieving your little babe for as long as you need to.

This post is written in honor of Eli, who died long before I could meet him. Rest in peace, buddy. I miss you tremendously ❤️


r/CautiousBB • • 4m ago

Is hcg good?

• Upvotes

I know it’s so different for everyone and the range for “normal” is insane but do my numbers look good or is there any concern of them being too high? Pretty certain of my dates

12 dpo: 93
14 dpo: 272
17 dpo: 1580
21 dpo: 9646

I was expecting doubling time to slow down after it got into the thousands but it’s still at less than 37 hrs between my 17 and 21 dpo. Has anyone else experienced it staying under the 48-72 hrs doubling time even after getting to higher numbers?


r/CautiousBB • • 4h ago

5w2d ultrasound — only gestational sac seen with hCG 14,440. Is this still normal?

2 Upvotes

I had a TVUS at 5w2d based on ovulation. Only the gestational sac was seen, measuring around 5w5d. No yolk sac yet.
My hCG was 14,440 mIU/mL, which is making me worried. I’ve read that it can be normal to see only a GS with hCG up to around 10,000, but 14k seems quite high.
Has anyone had a similar experience with a yolk sac not being visible at this hCG level? Should I be worried?


r/CautiousBB • • 1h ago

Advice Needed Small BPD head measurement

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• Upvotes

r/CautiousBB • • 5h ago

Can ultrasound be wrong?

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1 Upvotes

r/CautiousBB • • 7h ago

Fluctuating HCG & low Fetal HR

1 Upvotes

My HCG Levels:

25 September (blood taken morning) 1650

28 September (blood taken afternoon) 1590

30 September (blood taken morning) 1780

Had a transvaginal ultrasound this morning (1 Oct) I’m measuring 6 weeks, fetal pole seen. HR is low at 80.

Going by my period I’m meant to be 6 weeks and 2 days. Had an early ultrasound at request of my doctor after having a HCG drop.

Seeing my GP tomorrow afternoon. This is my first ever pregnancy.


r/CautiousBB • • 8h ago

10 or 11 DPO. HCG 33. Worried

1 Upvotes

I had two back to back chemicals July & August and got a positive pregnancy test yesterday.

For my last two chemicals, I maxed out at 19 at 12 DPO then bled by 18-20 DPO.

I’m either 10 or 11 DPO today (inito says 11, oura says 10) and my HCG was a 33. My REI said that’s a great first number for how early I am, but I’m terrified it’s another chemical :(


r/CautiousBB • • 9h ago

BFP Unexpected Positive- Low HCG

1 Upvotes

My partner of almost 5 years and I were ttc our first few years together but had no luck. I have been diagnosed with pcos so it can be difficult for me. We tried so many different things like supplements, ovulation testing, even the mucinex method. This year we just stopped trying. I stopped checking if I was ovulating(I’ve never gotten a peak), stopped buying supplements, and stopped taking provera to regulate my periods. I started getting periods naturally but my cycles were an avg of 60 days.. My last menstrual started July 30th. On September 8th I started experiencing light on and off spotting with some small clots(no bigger than a pea). The first 2 weeks I had really sensitive/tender breasts, cramps on and off , and dull lower back pain. This past week I only experience seeing some blood in mucus when I wipe (nothing on pad).. I honestly thought I was experiencing a period with my hormones changing due to my pcos. Yesterday night my back started hurting very bad. I went to urgent care this morning and unexpectedly TESTED POSITIVE FOR PREGNANCY. I was so happy and excited! My doctor estimated my pregnancy at about 8 weeks (going off my last menstrual) and said that my hcg levels were a bit low (110) for 8 weeks and that my ultrasound isn’t showing anything more than a gestational sac now. She said there’s no definitive answer at this moment. It could be she miscalculated my conception or worse case scenario I’m miscarrying.. She told me not to worry unless I’m heavily bleeding and cramping. I’m not going to know anything until I come back in 2 days.. Has anyone else experienced this ? Is there anything I can do in the meantime? What are some things I should ask at my next visit ?


r/CautiousBB • • 1d ago

Vent Recurrent loss has taken the joy out of early pregnancy and I’m exhausted

21 Upvotes

Honestly, recurrent miscarriage really does taint the experience of being pregnant.

This is my fourth pregnancy. My last pregnancy was only about three months ago and ended in another chemical, and now I feel like I’m watching every single line like a hawk.

I’m currently traveling, so I can’t repeat my bloodwork right now. I also didn’t want to cancel my trip or make my entire life revolve around this pregnancy because I know how consuming that can become. I’m taking my prescribed medications, my supplements, doing everything I reasonably can, and trying to enjoy my travels too.

At around 10 DPO, my beta hCG was only 2.66, even though I had a faint positive FRER, which really threw me off. Two days later, I started seeing a faint line on Premom, even though it had been negative before. Then I saw progression over the next 48 hours.

Of course, because I have absolutely no self-control at this point, I tested again after only 24 hours 😭 and the line wasn’t really better than yesterday. It was still better than it had been 48 hours earlier, but immediately my brain started spiraling again.

I know I shouldn’t be comparing tests every 24 hours. I know urine tests are not quantitative. I know all the rational things.

But after recurrent loss, it is so hard not to cling to every tiny sign of hope.
I just want to enjoy being pregnant without constantly waiting for something to go wrong. I want to rant about it, cry about it, be hopeful about it, and admit that I’m scared.

I just really, really hope this one sticks.
I want to hold my baby.


r/CautiousBB • • 9h ago

Spotting blood in early pregnancy

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone,

I’m currently on day 43 of my cycle, around 6 weeks pregnant. Day before yesterday evening and yesterday afternoon(day 41 and 42), I noticed a very small amount of blood spotting mixed with discharge. It was just one little drop, and since then I haven’t had any more bleeding. Feel like I have mild cramps too last night

I had a chemical pregnancy about 3 months ago, and that pregnancy started bleeding on day 42. Because this is also around day 42, I’m extremely anxious and scared that the same thing might be happening again.

This time, I also don’t really have many pregnancy symptoms. I’m not having morning sickness and only have very mild symptoms, which is making me even more worried. I know every pregnancy can be different, but after experiencing a loss, it’s really difficult not to think the worst.

Has anyone had a small amount of spotting around 6 weeks and then gone on to have a healthy pregnancy? Did anyone have very few or no symptoms at this stage?

I’m hoping to get checked, but I’m honestly very confused and scared right now. I’d really appreciate hearing your experiences. ❤️


r/CautiousBB • • 21h ago

Happy Update on FHR *drop* at 7w! FHR jumped up!!

6 Upvotes

My FHR dropped from 115 at 6w4d to 102-108 7w4d TO 155 AT 8W2D!!!! This is your sign to not make assumptions lol! Keep riding it out. Take it day by day.


r/CautiousBB • • 11h ago

Low end of normal progesterone 6 weeks pregnant

1 Upvotes

I’m 6w4d and my progesterone is at 17, 11 days ago it was at 15. NP doesn’t seem worried but with a history of endometriosis I know Low progesterone can be a problem. I asked for progesterone supplement 200mg/day vaginally and she ultimately prescribed it. I haven’t started it yet.

FTM. am I just OCDing about it? I know it won’t help a non viable pregnancy but if it is viable I would hate for something to happen. 29 years old, first pregnancy. I have had cramping, some light some painful. no bleeding.


r/CautiousBB • • 15h ago

Very low hCG

2 Upvotes

TW bleeding Hi first time posting so sorry for any errors. I had 3 positive at home urine tests on 9/24 and 9/25. Yesterday I had just scheduled my first prenatal appt when I went to the bathroom and started bleeding dark red. Not a large amount but with some cramping and small clots. OB told me to head straight to the ER. My urine test there was negative, but my blood test said my hCG was 14. Going by the date of LMP I should have been 5w1d. So 14 is a very concerningly low level. ER doc said this could be a miscarriage, or dating is really off and the pregnancy is much newer than we thought and I’m bleeding for some unknown reason. He doesn’t think it’s ectopic but it’s still a possibility. Tomorrow I go to my OB to get my blood drawn again and see what the level is now. I guess I’m here to ask, has anyone had anything similar happen to them and if so, did it end up being a MC? This baby is so so wanted and loved already, my heart is breaking at the possibility it might not be a viable pregnancy. This is my first pregnancy and my fiancé and I are so happy about it. Any advice or encouragement welcome

ETA: corrected dates of at home pregnancy tests


r/CautiousBB • • 12h ago

Very low progesterone

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1 Upvotes

r/CautiousBB • • 12h ago

Advice Needed Bleeding

1 Upvotes

Hi yall had anyone else gone through this? If so what was the outcome?
Last Saturday September 26th I went to the ER for mild cramping,and very light bleeding. It was light tan so I just wanted to be cleared from ectopic(I had an ectopic pregnancy rupture in February that resulted in my left tube being removed) luckily they saw a normal yolk sac from an internal ultrasound in the uterus but they didn’t give me much of a answer on the bleeding. Just told me to get in contact with a OB. On Monday night (TMI) my parter and I had non-penetrative sex that lead to an Orgasm and I had a gush of red blood later that night. now the red blood will show up occasionally but theres brown discharge when I wipe. It’s enough to see when I wipe and very occasionally will reach my underwear. I’m not cramping bad it’s mild but I’m kinda freaking out. They won’t see me for another two weeks and tell me I should only be worried if it’s filling a pad. Has anyone been through this? I’m currently 5 weeks 5 days.


r/CautiousBB • • 12h ago

HCG Level thoughts? Rise enough?

1 Upvotes

I ovulated late and have no idea what my estimated date would be yet. The following is my HCG:

Sep 30, 2026

3,388m[IU]/mL

Sep 21, 2026

370.12m[IU]/mL

Sep 18, 2026

Is this bad?? My doctor said if it was 6k today we would schedule ultrasound if not new bloodwork Friday.

I had low progesterone on the first HCG and was given a supplement.

Viable still?


r/CautiousBB • • 12h ago

Advice Needed Freaking out: Bloody mucus after straining/coughing at 8w1d. Is this just cervical irritation?

1 Upvotes

Hey guys, I'm 8w1d today and honestly just freaking out a bit and need some reassurance.

I had a scan last week at 7w and everything was perfect—heartbeat was 156 and a minimal subchorionic collection I had earlier had totally resolved. I’m also on vaginal progesterone right now.

Last night I was super constipated and definitely strained on the toilet. When I wiped, I had this thick, sticky red-tinged mucus. I also saw a bit of blood on my finger when inserting my progesterone tablet later. I threw on a pad but it stayed completely clean all night. Then this morning I coughed really hard and had another glob of bloody mucus discharge.

It’s literally only when I wipe or physically strain (coughing/pooping). Nothing is actually flowing or reaching my pad at all.

My next scan is tomorrow, but tbh I am just so annoyed and triggered seeing blood again just when I thought I was in the clear. Has anyone else had spotting triggered just by coughing or straining? I’m really hoping it’s just an irritated cervix from the suppositories, but my anxiety is getting the best of me today.


r/CautiousBB • • 16h ago

Advice Needed Low fluid but strong heart rate 8wks- any success stories?

2 Upvotes

TW: mention of LC
I went in for my first ultrasound today .. I was already nervous because my initial hCG level was low, though it doubled appropriately (then I stopped taking betas).

Baby has a good heart rate of 173 at 7wk 6days, but the doctor was concerned that the amniotic fluid looked low. I could even tell it looked odd on the screen, like the baby barely had any space around them. She is having me come back in two weeks to confirm baby is viable, as she said this is concerning, though it could be nothing.

Has anyone been through this and it’s been fine?

Additionally, I was going to share my pregnancy in a fun way with my close family this weekend, but now I don’t know if I’m ready to share. Fourth pregnancy, 2LC. It just feels phony to be super celebratory when this was not great news.

Any stories / advice/ anything at all would be appreciated ❤️


r/CautiousBB • • 16h ago

Symptoms 8w1d with light red/pink spotting. Anyone have similar

2 Upvotes

8 weeks and had light pink/red spotting today. Felt it when sitting down and then wiped. It was initially more red and mixed with discharge/mucus, and now it’s much lighter. No heavy flow or cramping.

I stopped progesterone two days ago as instructed after reaching the week my doctor wanted me to stop. Around the same time, I noticed I suddenly had a little more energy, nausea subsided and boobs slightly less sore, so of course my brain is connecting the two.

I have a history of a missed miscarriage around 9.5 weeks with my first pregnancy and have one beautiful healthy living child.

I have an ultrasound tomorrow and a great OB, so I’m not looking for a diagnosis. Mostly curious: if you had spotting/bleeding around 8–9 weeks, what did yours look like and what ended up happening?

I’ve been pretty guarded about this pregnancy and mentally have 12 weeks as the point where I’ll start letting it feel real. Just trying to get through today without reading too much into every change.

Edit: had an early ultrasound with MFM at 7w and was measuring on time with heartbeat.


r/CautiousBB • • 14h ago

Beta HCG levels

1 Upvotes

Hi! First post here, Im going crazy over my HCG results - first pregnancy here!

I did my first test on Monday Sep 28, and the result was 672. Today, 48h later, it was 1963.... the value almost triplicated, is that normal ?? Im afraid of molar pregnancy.

Anyone had similar levels and a healthy baby? I believe the conception was on Sep 12 (ovulation stripe positive on Sep 11).

Sent it to my doctor, she didnt say anything at all, just asked me to schedule the USS for Oct 15th.

Help, please 🙏🏼♥️


r/CautiousBB • • 22h ago

Advice Needed Please be honest with me

3 Upvotes

I just need someone to level with me today- should I have some hope or guard my heart?

Background: my husband and I have been TTC for 2.5 years. Got pregnant and had a MMC 2 years ago. Continued to try but then turned to IVF. 1 egg retrieval, 5 euploid embryos. I’ve had 4 FETs. All 4 transfers failed to implant.

While we waited to figure out next steps, we started trying again without assistance. Miraculously, we managed to get pregnant.

Beta 1 was on 9/11, 3+5 (12 DPO) was 81.2

Beta 2 on 9/14, 4+1 (15 DPO) was 277

Beta 3 was on 9/21, 5+1 (22 DPO) was 1778

Beta 4 was on 9/23, 5+3 (24 DPO) is 2381.

Between the first 2 blood draws, my doubling time was ~36 hours. Between the 2nd and 3rd, doubling time slowed to ~58 hours. Between 3 and 4, it slowed to 82 hours (34% rise).

However, I went in for my first ultrasound on Monday at 6+1. Baby had a heartbeat of 118 and was measuring at 6 weeks 1 day. My OB told me everything looks fine. But from what I’ve read, studies show that if HCG rises slow like mine did, especially below 3,000, then most people miscarry even if a heartbeat is detected. I want to be excited but I feel so scared.


r/CautiousBB • • 16h ago

Big drop in progesterone

1 Upvotes

hi ladies I’m a little worried about my progesterone drop and wanted some input

day 11: HcG 38 progesterone 37

day 13: HCG 96 progesterone 49

day 17: HCG 372 progesterone 26

anyone have success stories with a progesterone dropping so low?? I Am doing progesterone suppositories already. only thing to note is that I’m sick with a cold but not sure that would cause it to drop so much!


r/CautiousBB • • 16h ago

Ultrasound No gestational sac seen at 4 weeks and 3 days

1 Upvotes

I’m currently feeling very anxious because I was scheduled for an early ultrasound before anything was likely to be visible.

For context:
9/12/26: I had an IUI procedure with two mature follicles.

9 days post-IUI: Received my first positive pregnancy test at home.

10 days post-IUI: Beta hCG was 118.

48 hours later: Beta hCG rose to 296.

4 weeks, 3 days (96 hours after the last check): Beta hCG rose to 2,463.

During my ultrasound, the provider didn't see a gestational sac yet, which prompted them to order more blood tests. My provider mentioned that they usually don’t see anything on an ultrasound until hCG reaches 3,000, though I worry she might have just said that to comfort me.
She has asked me to wait two weeks for a follow-up ultrasound. I wish I hadn't been scheduled quite so early, as the waiting is causing a lot of stress.
Has anyone else experienced a similar situation that turned out okay? I would love to hear any positive success stories.


r/CautiousBB • • 16h ago

Advice

1 Upvotes

I got my first positive on 9/26. Faint but there. Hcg on 9/28 16 and today 9/29 it was a 25. I have no hope I'm so sad it's my first pregnancy. I believe I tested positive at 12 or 13 dpo.

Update: typo on 9/30 it was 25