10 weeks no heart beat

So I have a friend who is 10 weeks along and went to her first Dr. appt. and they weren't able to find a heart beat. She was told this was normal but to me it doesn't sound right. When I was pregnant with my duaghter I heard her heart beat at 8 weeks. She is a slight bit over weight and I'm not sure if thats why they can't hear the baby's heart beat or what. Just wanted to know your opinion on this. Shouldn't she hear the heart beat by now?

[AnitaRFrith]

the heart forms at 5 weeks.  Could se be off on her dates?

[Nadia77]

i don't think is normal not to hear the heart bit by 10 weeks! they usually don't wait any longer than 8 weeks to confirm no heart bit!! i am very over weight and the heart bit was heard by 6 weeks...

[Elliott6519]

When I went in for my doc appointment at 10 weeks, they couldn't find the heartbeat either. They said it was completely normal, I begged for an ultrasound and they gave me one. She was just fine, just wanted to play hide-n-seek that's all!

[110279hld]

They say you can hear the heartbeat on a doppler anywhere between 8-12 weeks.  I heard mine at 10 weeks , some days I could find it and some days I couldn't.  Unless they said there is no heartbeat on the ultra sound I wouldn't be that worried.

[mh2968]

Sometimes it is hard to HEAR the heartbeat that early on, especially if you are overweight.  What they should have done was a transvaginal ultrasound to make sure they see the hearbeat.  At least that will give you friend peace of mind.

[Mea426]

Thanks girls....I think for me the weird thing was that they didn't do any ultra sound at all! Well I guess she has it under control but I was so weirded out by it. I'll let you know what happens. Her next appt. is not till next month.

[leighanne143]

she can always call back and say she would like an ultrasound to make sure.  i know with my first pregnancy, they tried at 10 weeks and could not find one and had me wait one more week and come back and when they again could not find it on doppler, they did an ultrasound.  some women can not hear their babies on doppler til 12 weeks.

[sweetangel7]

She needs to request a transvaginal ultrasound...it is true that using the dopler thing they can't get a hb until later, especially on someone overweight BUT she can't wait a month...please have her go get checked!

[Mea426]

Yeah I will talk with her. This is her first baby so she doesn't really know the questions to ask but I'll talk with her and see what she wants to do. Thanks Girls!

[mj_mommy_manda]

I agree with the ladies that said to request an ultrasound.  I went in to hear my babies heartbeat at 10 weeks with my first pregnancy and they didn't pick it up so I was scheduled for an ultrasound the next day.  The baby wasn't alive.. I hope that this isn't the case with your friend and the baby is just in an odd position, but regardless she should still request an ultrasound and find out what is going on.

[Zet1]

It really just depends on what kind of Doppler the Doctor has - some can be really out dated and not pick anything up until 14 weeks others can from 10 weeks - the best would be for a ultrasound - but if she doesn't have any bleeding cramping ext everything should be fine.  I had my first ultra sound with this little one i carry now only at 13 weeks and no Doppler was done before this.  All the best for your friend

[toes33107]

I went to my doctor for the first time at 9 weeks, and he didn't even try for the heartbeat until the next appt. at 12 weeks.  I think some doctors do it that way so they don't scare the woman.  I think it's personal preference of the doctor.  

[mj_mommy_manda]

Zet- no cramping or bleeding doesn't necessarily mean all is ok.  With my first miscarriage I had a missed miscarriage at 5 weeks and carried the baby until 12 weeks when I had a D&C.  I had NO IDEA that I had miscarried because I had absolutly no bleeding or cramping.. (not being rude.. Just saying it is possible to lose a pregnancy withouth cramping or bleeding :D)

[Mea426]

Yeah I totally understand what you are saying mj_mmommy_manda. I've asked her all the right questions but I don't want to scare her either. Thanks for all a great info!

[Zet1]

Not offended understand that every pregnancy is different and every women will experience things different.  Sorry for your loss.   I'm also just trying to look at the positive things why things might look wrong but maybe is not.  It's good though to hear different experiences and to keep an open mind on things.