What does it mean if the ultrasound shows a placenta and no baby?

This is most likely to be what is called a "Blighted Ovum". This is due to a chromosomal abnormality occurs in the early stages after conception. It is not dangerous usually but you may need a curette if it doesn't abort naturally. A blighted ovum does not contain an embryo and is only the placenta and sac. Do a google search or ask your doctor for more info. It is unlikely to be ectopic or where a baby has actually died in utero (see bottom two answers). This is because the embryonic sac would not be empty and there would remain some evidence of an embryo. With a blighted ovum no true embryo existed.

AnswerThis could be an ectopic pregnancy, where the egg implants itself outside the uterus, usually in the fallopian tube. This is not uncommon but is very dangerous and requires medical attention asap. AnswerUnfortunately if there is an empty pregnancy sac at 10 weeks the baby has died.

An ectopic pregnancy does not produce an empty sac and it is usuallly apparent way before 10 weeks.

AnswerI'm very sorry to hear about that - it does sound like a blighted ovum. And very hard to go through. I've had two confirmed blighted ovums, which unfortunately are due to chromosomal problems (usually this is the cause) the baby did not form past a certain point (which happens very early in the pregnancy) and was reabsorbed by the mothers body. Your body sometimes does not realize this has happened for quite a while (which would be a missed miscarriage). I didn't know I had a blighted ovum until I was in my fourth month the first time (when I went to the ER with slight bleeding) and I was 11 weeks pregnant the second time (and I had no idea that the baby had died until we had an ultrasound done at the first appt). I had to have a D & C for both of them, I guess my body just didn't want to let go. So anyway my point is - Don't believe people when they tell you that there was never a baby, because that is just hurtful and insensitive. This is very common but that doesn't make it hurt any less. And it doesn't make you feel better to think that there was never a baby. I have had a total of 3 miscarriages (this first one miscarried at 6wks) and consider myself the mother of 3 angel babies. On a good note - they usually have no bearing on your future pregnancies, because I'm pregnant again I'm at 9 wks and 6days today! This is a confirmed healthy pregnancy (I've had 2 ultrasounds already and have seen the heartbeat and seen the little peanut move around just last week). So good luck with your future pregnancies, everything will be fine!