Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, When there is no heartbeat at 6 weeks, your doctor will check for hCG to confirm if you're still pregnant. Therefore, the legal information in this article may no longer be accurate. Does a fast heart rate mean fetal distress? I'm starting to see why my fertility clinic don't do scans until 7 weeks I went private for reassurance following a small bleed and now I've more anxiety than ever! The heart rate was classified as slow if it was fewer than 90 beats per minute prior to 6.3 weeks or fewer than 110 beats/min at 6.3-7.0 weeks, normal if it was 100 or more beats/min at less than 6.3 weeks or 120 or more beats/min at 6.3-7.0 weeks, or borderline if it was 90-99 beats/min prior to 6.3 weeks or 110-119 beats/min at 6.3-7.0 weeks. The rates of first-trimester demise were 60.6% for pregnancies with slow heart rates at 6.0-7.0 weeks (188 of 310), 17.4% for those with borderline heart rates (103 of 593), and 9.1% for those with normal heart rates (186 of 2034). Downing please help! There are several reasons why you may not hear your babys heartbeat at 6 weeks. Editor's note: This article was originally published on May 17, 2019 and updated on Sept 1, 2021, before the Supreme Court's decision to overturnRoe v. Wadeon June 24, 2022, thus eliminating the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. The docotrs have decided to let my body run its natural course over the past 4 weeks and miscarry on its own. Avoid using Accutane if you have acne as it puts your baby at risk of foetal heart defects. When you conduct a pregnancy test at home, the kits look for the presence of this hCG hormone in your urine. I have a dear friend who is successfully pregnant after 7 losses. A Group Owner is a member that has initiated the creation of a group to connect with other members to share their journey through the same pregnancy & baby stages. It's not until around 17 to 20 weeks, when the four chambers of the heart have developed and can be detected on an ultrasound, that the term heartbeat is accurate, according to ACOG. think twice before sharing personal details, foster a friendly and supportive environment, remove fake accounts, spam and misinformation, delete posts that violate our community guidelines, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. I went on for a transvaginal scan a couple of days ago on what I thought was 6 weeks 2 days. An official website of the United States government. I went in to my ob expecting the worst, but today I finally regain hope and I am happier than ever. Our doctor wont even do ultrasounds until week 8 or something for this reason since it scares a lot of people if they arent as far along as expected. Foetal heartbeat is one of the indicators of a babys growth, health and development. A fetal heartbeat will be detectable usually as early as 6 weeks. . There are numerous ways to detect and/or monitor a baby's heartbeat. Your baby's heart begins to beat around 6 weeks. We opted with waiting for it to pass naturally. Group Leaders arent expected to spend any additional time in the community, and are not held to a set schedule. In between 5 to 6 weeks of pregnancy, the baby's heart starts to function and beats at a rate of 80 to 85 BPM (Beats Per Minute). You should quit smoking if you're pregnant because maternal smoking, especially during the first trimester, is the reason of baby's heart defects in 2% of cases. was expecting to see fetal pole and heartbeat. The gestational sac is visible within 5 or 6 weeks instead of 4 weeks and the yolk sac appears in 6 or 7 weeks. However, when there is a heartbeat, it is important to ensure that it is normal. Ill keep you posted! They took hcg bloods and they are increasing but not doubling. A Group Leader is a What to Expect community member who has been selected by our staff to help maintain a positive, supportive tone within a group. Good luck. Fetal Heart Rate and Risk of Miscarriage. I am so very heart broken and devastated that I will never have another child. So happy for you. What kept me going these two weeks I had to wait where these beautiful successful stories. 2011 Jul;197(1):252-5. doi: 10.2214/AJR.10.4792. I had early scans at 6 and 8 weeks. The earliest your baby's cardiac activity can be detected is between five and six weeks gestation. Your body produces hCG only when you're pregnant. Pregnancies were excluded from the analysis if they were lost to follow-up before the end of first trimester. It is suggested to wait for 1-2 weeks as there are good chances for detection of fetal heartbeat in case of delayed conception. I hope you have the same outcome as I did. In Brief The couple should not worry in case the fetal heartbeat is not visible at 6 weeks in the internal sonography. Good luck today! in molecular biology and an M.S. That's about twice as fast as yours! 2010-2023 Parenting.FirstCry.com. Due to the effect of this hormone, the woman stops menstruating. The ultrasound machine may add sound so you can hear it, but you will also be able to see the fast flicker of the cardiac cells communicating with one another. But if you dont hear it even after 8 weeks, then consult your gynaecologist to rule out possible complications. I pray and hope my little peanut is there. doi: 10.14814/phy2.13621. The mom-to-beds body itself may be one of the factors. I'm sorry for your loss. good luck to you X. However, they've since adjusted my dates so those scans would actually have been 7 and 9 weeks, which means it only became visible somewhere between then. best of luck for Monday!!! The gestational age of your pregnancy may also be inaccurate. Dr. I would definitely ask for another ultra sound to be sure. There's an App for That. I hope this is a happy ending for you. He did an internal and there was no heartbeat. When an abnormal sperm or egg mates, we get an abnormal fetus. All I can do for now is cling on to hope and others positive stories until next week xx, Thanks Samantha it has given me hope to read you didn't see a heartbeat until 9 weeks. Should I be concerned? This educational content is not medical or diagnostic advice. If you cant hear your foetus heartbeat at home, schedule a sonogram with a qualified gyneacologist. Hypoxia (Auckl). National Library of Medicine The .gov means its official. Would you like email updates of new search results? But don't lose hope and keep drinking lots of water and taking your prenatals. Baby is measuring 7 weeks 6 days and doctor had some concerns. I'm measuring 5 weeks 5 days with fetal pole, but no heartbeat. I don't have advice, but I'm so sorry this is happening. Would be more like 7w3d if I went by LMP. Group Leaders communicate with staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they dont moderate discussions. Did two blood works and I go back next week to do another US. IUGR is usually diagnosed after an ultrasound shows your baby's weight is below the 10 th percentile based on how many weeks pregnant you are. Although some people might picture a heart-shaped organ beating inside a fetus, this is not the case. Use of this site is subject to our terms of use and privacy policy. But if you're wondering when you'll hear your baby's heartbeat, fear not: The answer may be sooner than you think. Front Physiol. This happened to me last Monday. Pregnancy was not successful. Went to the doctor and there was no more baby inside. One research study of more than 300 women with a history of recurrent miscarriage showed that those who saw a heartbeat at 6 weeks of pregnancy had a 78% chance of the pregnancy continuing. Fetal Development: Baby's Growth from Conception to Birth, Want to Hear Your Baby's Heartbeat at Home? In this blog, Dr. Nishant Dixit, a highly experienced Reproductive Medicine Specialist will explain how and at what time embryos grow in the uterus and what is delayed conception? It will also take patience and time. Outcome of pregnancies with rapid embryonic heart rates in the early first trimester. and I hope you can keep us updated, thank you for your well wishes! But, if there isno heartbeat at 6 weeks, it can be normal since usually, the heartbeat of baby will be detectable at 8 weeks. A normal foetal heart rate ranges from 120 to 160 bpm (beats per minute) when it is first detected. Embryonic heart rate in the early first trimester: what rate is normal? Im hoping the doctor will conduct an ultrasound due to my concerns and that by continuing to take prenatal vitamins and drinking water it will show a healthy, developing baby. AM I IMAGINING IT OR CAN I FEEL MY BABY AT 14 - 15 WEEKS IN FIRST PREGNANCY? (2/15/2023). Unauthorized use of these marks is strictly prohibited. 8600 Rockville Pike I don't have anything to share other than I'm sorry. Now I gotta wait until June 1st, but Im hoping to see the baby next US. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Good luck today!! I hope you get to see your little one next time around. These wand-like instruments do an internal scan of your organs, including your uterusor womb. In fact, the "whoosh whoosh" of your little one's earliest cardiac activity is one of the first things doctors look and listen for. With a silent miscarriage, however . The couple should not worry in case the fetal heartbeat is not visible at 6 weeks in the internal sonography. Since stethoscopes amplify internal noises, specifically for and of the heart and lungs, you can hear baby's heartbeat using a stethoscope. Unfortunately, it is often only discovered during a routine scan in the early weeks of pregnancy. The site is secure. Hi everyone,Last week at 5 weeks 2 days I had an ultrasound showing a small gestational sac. This happens in 10-15% of cases. I would really love to hear some positive stories if anyone here can share. What to Expect supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. The gestational age of your pregnancy may also be inaccurate. Editor's note: This article was updated on August 3, 2022 by Live Science contributor Alice Ball following the Supreme Court's decision to overturnRoe v. Wadeon June 24, 2022. If so, can you go back in a couple of days to see what your HcG does? Hoping this is normal? I had a low heart rate and praying for the best Wednesday. Have I miscarried??? Good luck to everyone on your journey to motherhood. I am 7 weeks today but when I went last week OB said that there was only a sac no yolk and it measured smaller than expected for how far along I am in. If your conception date is accurate and there is no heartbeat at 8 weeks, then you might have lost your baby. Can You Feel Babys Heartbeat in Your Stomach while Pregnant, Bathing Your Baby Procedures, Tips and More, 170 Baby Boy & Girl Name That Mean 'Gift from God', 600+ Unique & Cute Nicknames for Boys & Girls, Protecting Adolescents From Common Food and Waterborne Diseases, Why an Ideal pH 5.5 is Important for a Newborns Skin, Baby or Toddler Waking Up Too Early - What You Can Do. Almost all can be heard by the 12th week. We went through this a few years back. I'm not too worried however because it is so early and the ultrasound machine just wasn't that great. My OB was very nice on not putting more stress on me. Don't lose hope. Ive always went by when the time is right it will happen. I am so sorry you are going through this, I've had multiple losses myself and it never gets easier. Singleton pregnancies with an embryonic heart rate measured on a 6.0-7.0-week US scan were identified. Here's more about the FHR during different stages of pregnancy. (I just know waiting 2 weeks would drive me insane). Most fetal heart tones can be heard by 10-12 weeks, however. All rights reserved. Some expecting mothers claim that they can hear their babys heartbeat through their belly, but this can only be possible in a quiet room and in the later stages of pregnancy. Group Leaders communicate with staff moderators and escalate potential violations for review, but they dont moderate discussions. The information on this website is of a general nature and available for educational purposes only and To comment on this thread you need to create a Mumsnet account. Visit our corporate site (opens in new tab). However, sometimes, no heartbeat at 6 weeks could also be due to a miscarriage, ectopic pregnancy, or equipment errors. 1.1M views 6 years ago FHS is Fetal Heart Rate. I hope a follow up finds a heartbeat. VONZ. My entire life changed in 10 minutes. I managed to move my appointment up to 6/10. It. Please select a reason for escalating this post to the WTE moderators: Connect with our community members by starting a discussion. Did they do a transvaginal or abdominal u/s? Lack of foetal heartbeat indicates a miscarriage in the following instances: Your doctor may also measure the crown to rump measurements with the foetal pole as a basis to determine the risk of a miscarriage. in biology from the University of California, San Diego. I went through this myself years ago at 16 weeks. In some cases, moms-to-be don't hear their baby's heartbeat until they're 7 weeks pregnant. I saw an empty sac during an abdominal us 6w6d from my LMP. The PubMed wordmark and PubMed logo are registered trademarks of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Any pregnancy loss is devastating, but a missed . A friend of mine was told no heart beat and booked in for the D&C. She demanded another scan. Please whitelist our site to get all the best deals and offers from our partners. Not hearing a foetal heartbeat at 6 weeks is normal and there's no reason for worry. Amount of hCG in mIU/ml (milli-international units per milliliter). I had an US a couple days ago and was supposed to be ~7.5 weeks and couldnt see anything on the US. The early fetal heartbeat is slower than it will be once the fetus develops a normal four chambered heart, around 110 beats per minute (BPM). 3.1% at 9 weeks. @Mommy2bee2021 i just had my US today with sac only no embryo at 6weeks0day, i was crying when i read some articles from google but i came up here un this commhnity which gives me Hope. Fingers crossed for you!! Rather, at six weeks of pregnancy, an ultrasound can detect "a little flutter in the area that will become the future heart of the baby," said Dr. Saima Aftab, medical director of the Fetal Care Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. We went through this a few years back. Today, after two attempts the baby came out of hiding ( docs words lol ) we heard a heartbeat, That's great news! Is It Possible to Hear the Babys Heartbeat At Home? Accessibility I went for my first pregnancy ultrasound at 6 weeks and there was no heartbeat. MeSH I wish the best for you and your baby! Group Black's collective includes Essence, The Shade Room and Naturally Curly. Today was my first visit with the OB. Xxx 0 Anonymous 22/04/2015 at 8:04 am For some reason the body has not recognized the death of the fetus. Lab-grown minibrains will be used as 'biological hardware' to create new biocomputers, scientists propose, Ancient Roman 'spike defenses' made famous by Julius Caesar found in Germany, 'Building blocks of life' recovered from asteroid Ryugu are older than the solar system itself, New Moai statue that 'deified ancestors' found on Easter Island, The ultimate action-packed science and technology magazine bursting with exciting information about the universe, Subscribe today and save an extra 5% with checkout code 'LOVE5', Engaging articles, amazing illustrations & exclusive interviews, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. government site. After noticing no heartbeat at 6 weeks and if you are worried a lot about the condition, your doctor will ask for a lab test to know your human Chorionic Ganadotropin (hCG) levels. After the detection of the flutter at six weeks, the heart muscle continues to develop over the next four to six weeks, undergoing the folding and bending that needs to happen for the heart to take its final shape, Aftab said. Hospital wrongly told two devastated women their unborn babies were dead | Daily Mail Online. You dont hear a heartbeat in subsequent ultrasound checkups. Stay away from alcohol and drugs to avoid foetal alcohol syndrome and other complications. They found a heartbeat. and transmitted securely. They booked me in for Erpc next week as they believe it's a missmiscarriage. First Trimester Miscarriage. A baby's heartbeat cannot be detected with a stethoscope until they are 18 to 20 weeks. Thanks so much. I went in to the doctor on 03/08 thinking I was 8 weeks along, I got a transvaginal ultrasound and they only saw an empty gestational sac measuring at 6w+3d(No yolk sac or fetal pole), I was really discouraged and sad as I have had 2 miscarriages in the past and a molar pregnancy. Consult Now. Going back next week to a hopefully higher heart rate, Thank you! Aww I am so glad I was of some help. Dr. Nishant Dixit DNB (OBGY), MNAMS Once a pregnancy makes it to 6 weeks and has confirmed viability with a heartbeat, the risk of having a miscarriage drops to 10 percent. What to Expect supports Group Black and its mission to increase greater diversity in media voices and media ownership. I'm sorry for your losses. How Can You Keep Your Foetus Heart Healthy? The exact amount that it decreases, however, varies. Sac contained yolk sac and fetal pole, but no heartbeat. 2 miscarriages in a row - success stories? 31 weeks pregnant and really bad cramps!! We opted with waiting for it to pass naturally. Only 8 weeks pregnant but already feeling movement. Since stethoscopes amplify internal noises, specifically for and of the heart and lungs, you can hear. I think its totally normal. It is suggested to wait for 1-2 weeks as there are good chances for detection of fetal heartbeat in case of delayed conception. So happy for you! The rate of hCG will double in every couple of days. No heartbeat at 6 weeks, they did find one at 8. We strive to provide you with a high quality community experience. In such pregnancies, at least one follow-up scan in late first trimester is warranted. She has a master's degree in journalism from New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program. (LMP) And I was closer to 5 weeks. The likelihood of a successful pregnancy if the baby actually measured 7 weeks without a heartbeat is exceedingly slight. Now, lawmakers in nine U.S. states have passed laws banning abortions when a fetal heartbeat can be detected, or at six weeks of pregnancy, according to data from the Guttmacher Institute, a. While it may have elongated the waiting period for the MC to happen it definitely gave me peace of mind that the pregnancy wasn't viable. I need this same success with babys heart rate. I went in for my 8 week and I am 8 weeks + 2 days today. Thank you! At 6 weeks the fetal heartbeat should be visible along with the yolk sac inside that g sac. I had a d&c yesterday afternoon. 1994 Aug;192(2):343-4. doi: 10.1148/radiology.192.2.8029394. I went for my first u/s when I was 10 weeks & 5 days. Baby did have a strong head beat at 150. Also, if a gestational sac which is larger than 8 millimetres has no yolk sac or a gestational sac which is larger than 16 millimetres has no embryo is could indicate a miscarriage. Note that once you confirm, this action cannot be undone. Apart from these, the type of ultrasound also matters. I was having really bad cramping so my OB saw me immediately to check. Related: Are you pregnant? Thanks for you replies, I'm preparing for the worst. I am upset so I scheduled private scan in 10 days, I just got back from my apt and had the same! It was devastating at the time. We respect everyones right to express their thoughts and opinions as long as they remain respectful of other community members, and meet What to Expects Terms of Use. Saturday it measured 7 weeks 1 days and yesterday measured 7 weeks 3 days and the crl also increased by 1mm but the lady said she still can't see a heartbeat and should be able to attend this stage. 2016 Nov 8;4:147-159. doi: 10.2147/HP.S115050. Remember that 6 weeks may be too early to hear your babys heartbeat. The presence of an embryonic heartbeat is an assuring sign of the health of the pregnancy. Also thank you for sharing this with everyone! It didnt make me feel good, but I asked a bunch of times and she kept saying it was normal and that a heartbeat and all that would be easier to see more around 8 weeks. The mom-to-be'ds body itself may be one of the factors. This was just the encouragement I needed after only seeing a GS & YS on my 6w2d ultrasound. The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the You may have just ovulated a few days later! The study was Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliant. Please select a reason for escalating this post to the WTE moderators: Connect with our community members by starting a discussion. Going back in a week and a half. Before Careers. Did they draw blood labs today? Long-term programming effects on blood pressure following gestational exposure to the I. Moreover, causes of no heartbeat at 6-week conception are also discussed, and how the couple should proceed in such a situation? Search: No Heartbeat At 6 Weeks Success Stories.Image: supplied 4 hours or 2 The two red-hot teams will battle Sunday at Lambeau Field with a trip to the Super Bowl on the line The Packers and Bucs . We waited to be told there was no heartbeats again as her face changed. Some forms of ultrasound can detect cardiac activity in an embryo in the sixth week, but a heartbeat . The midwife verified the size & development of fetus also 10 weeks & 5 days, however we could not trace a heartbeat. I went in to the doctor on 03/08 thinking I was 8 weeks along, I got a transvaginal ultrasound and they only saw an empty gestational sac measuring at 6w+3d (No yolk sac or fetal pole), I was really discouraged and sad as I have had 2 miscarriages in the past and a molar pregnancy. However, you have to wait until 14 days for home pregnancy tests to show correct results. This early heartbeat may first be detected by a vaginal ultrasound as early as 5 1/2 to 6 weeks. 2018 Apr 12;9:373. doi: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00373. Disclaimer. I will certainly keep you ladies posted for my next visit and show pictures!!! So I don't think that you should lose hope yet - they may still find something next week. , Thank you! think twice before sharing personal details, foster a friendly and supportive environment, remove fake accounts, spam and misinformation, delete posts that violate our community guidelines, reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts. What If Youre Told That Youve Had a Miscarriage? Group Owners uphold the core values of the brand by reporting content that violates the community guidelines. This aborts and it is best that it aborts rather than lead to an abnormal baby. As your pregnancy progresses, doctors tend to use fetal Dopplers. It is important to know that the early phase of your baby's development will ensure healthy pregnancy and delivery. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this. I'm so sorry. Create an account or log in to participate. official website and that any information you provide is encrypted It is very common to not hear a heartbeat at a 6-week ultrasound scan. Hey Hun I've had 14 mc (12 of them were one after another over just under 2 years) the chances are you ov later than you thought and that's y no hb yet As u said there was only a sac before and now there's a baby, I'm really sorry - must be very tough. Although a lot of weight seems to be put on the detection of this flutter, "by no means does it translate to viability of the heart" or viability of the pregnancy, Aftab said. I'm sure next US you will get to see your little one, Thank you so much for sharing. Is There an App to Hear Baby's Heartbeat? I have also had multiple losses, though not as many as you. Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. To understand the process of fetal heartbeat detection, it is important to know the timeline of naturally conceived pregnancy and how different milestones are achieved in the process. Please specify a reason for deleting this reply from the community. A fetal heart rate below 70 beats per minute around 6-8 weeks usually predicts a miscarriage. I have accepted even though I'm sad and disappointed at all the treatments not working, I will not give up hope on my body and a rainbow baby. The educational health content on What To Expect is reviewed by our medical review board and team of experts to be up-to-date and in line with the latest evidence-based medical information and accepted health guidelines, including the medically reviewed What to Expect books by Heidi Murkoff. I hope your little one continues to grow healthy and strong. You may have menstrual cycles longer than 28 days, or you may have ovulated late that cycle. . It's because of this common issue that many expectant parents don't see their doctor for an ultrasound until they're a bit farther along in their pregnancies. After 1 week, the Yolk Sac should also be visible inside the Gestational Sac. Miscarriage before 6 weeks of gestation is defined by ESHRE as biochemical loss. For example, if ovulation in women occurs on the fourteenth day, then after 5-7 days, the embryo begins to develop in the fallopian tube and thereafter it rolls down to the uterus and is implanted in the uterus wall. In any given semen specimen about 30% sperms are abnormal and by the same logic many eggs are abnormal as well. Indeed, the entire first trimester of pregnancy is a time of "organogenesis," or the formation of organs, Aftab said. It is really hard dealing with losing a child at any stage but it is amazing when your body is prepared for it. Is There a Chance of Miscarriage If You Dont Hear or See a Heartbeat During the Ultrasound? NASA warns of 3 skyscraper-sized asteroids headed toward Earth this week. Doctor also had concerns of the shape of the baby but also said because it was so UPDATE: I lost the baby today. The Fisher exact test was used for all statistical comparisons. unfortunately, I saw brown discharge Monday morning and went to the ED to find that the baby hasnt grown and there was still no heartbeat. If you arent 100% sure, ask for another follow-up ultrasound. AJR Am J Roentgenol. thanks in advance. I mean, I'm sincerely hoping they did a transvaginal, but I've been surprised before. Results: 12 early signs of pregnancy, But the heart is far from fully formed at this stage, and the "beat" isn't audible; if doctors put a stethoscope up to a woman's belly this early on in her pregnancy, they would not hear a heartbeat, Aftab told Live Science. Don't use Accutane for acne because it can also lead to certain fetal heart defects. But what exactly do we mean when we talk about a "fetal heartbeat" at six weeks of pregnancy? The heart still has a lot of development to undergo before it is fully formed. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. When there is no heartbeat at 6 week, it is obvious to worry about fetal health. The table below lists the ideal heartbeat rate at different weeks of pregnancy. Fast Heartbeat During Pregnancy. This flickering is the developing heart tube. That tiny flicker, which can be seen on ultrasound at six weeks, on average, is an excellent indicator of fetal well-being. What to Expect at Your First Ultrasound During Pregnancy, What to Do When You're 40 Weeks Pregnant With No Signs of Labor, Testing for Ectopic Pregnancy: How Doctors Make a Diagnosis, hear baby's heartbeat using a stethoscope. In 1520% cases out of 100 pregnancies, the fetal heartbeat is not detected within 6 weeks of internal sonography. From "when will I feel my baby kicking" to "when does morning sickness end," you likely have a lot on your mind. GL, I also recommend a higher resolution screening. With my first pregnancy there was no heartbeat at our first scan. But if after one week also no heartbeat is visible, then there are no chances of fetal heartbeat and it can be a pregnancy loss. Control of the heart rate of rat embryos during the organogenic period. Unable to load your collection due to an error, Unable to load your delegates due to an error. Your doctor can detect pregnancy 8-10 days after fertilization by conducting an hCG test, and if the level is above 5, it usually means you're pregnant. (What's more, it isn't until the eighth week of pregnancy that the baby is called a fetus; prior to that, it's still considered an embryo, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But for women in their mid to late 30s and early 40s, these studies understate the risk. In some cases, moms-to-be dont hear their babys heartbeat until theyre 7 weeks pregnant. Such couples always think about what can be done to bring the heartbeat of the baby. Rachael is a Live Science contributor, and was a former channel editor and senior writer for Live Science between 2010 and 2022.