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heartbeat

Had a check up with midwife yest when (15w1d) she said that it was to soon to find heart beat at my gestation but would give it a go...she went on to have a cursory check for it for about 1min before stopping and saying she couldnt get iti was not to worry and she wouldsee me at 20wks...i am now the most worried woman on earth! Any similar exp with a happy ending would be great to hear x
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Avatar universal
My doctor checks the heartbeat at every visit, she started checking when I was about 10 or 12 weeks, there was once she couldn't find it so she sent me straight for an ultrasound, however, I was still early in my pregnancy. Most likely, your little one is moving around so much that it's hard to lock into a heartbeat. If it happens again ask to an u/s.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh boy, do I know how you feel! In my first pregnancy,  my PA found it via doppler at just over 9 weeks, but then couldn't at 14+ weeks so they sent me for a confirmation ultrasound and all was fine! It was the same skilled PA who had managed to pick it up at 9 weeks (she worked for a fertility doc for a long time before moving and starting in family practice so had lots of practice).

For this pregnancy, the doctor's resident tried first at 11 weeks and couldn't find it, so another ultrasound and baby bean was fine. It turns out this time I have a low-lying anterior placenta and even at 16 weeks, my doctor had to try for close to 10 minutes! It's easier now, but this little guy's heartbeat has not been the easiest to find even though my last appointment was last week at 32 weeks (must have been closer to 5 minutes). Other than the one resident attempt at 11 weeks, it has always been my experienced PA or doctor looking for it. When mom's blood flow gets in front of baby's heart, it can be very hard to pick up, and sometimes, depends on baby's position, etc.

I know it's hard to feel as though all is ok or that it will be right now, but it is very common not to pick up baby's heartbeat via doppler in the first trimester and very early second. The good news is that once you get past the next month or two, you will feel motion many days if you sit quietly and wait for it, then at all times, including the middle of the night when you would rather be sleeping!
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971074 tn?1362759766
Try not to worry. I had the same experience with my midwife. We choose not to have ultrasounds so we waited to hear the baby with the doppler. The first time they checked I was 14 weeks and we didn't hear him. I cried because all you really want is to hear that heartbeat. Sure enough we heard his little ticker at 17 weeks. It can rattle you not to hear it when you are expecting it. Actually coming on here and reading other women's similar experiences helped me a lot. So please rest assured it is common. The women that are saying they heard their babies early used ultrasounds. Some have luck with dopplers earlier but not everyone. The baby can be hanging out in the back of your womb...or the placenta can be up front in the way.  
Helpful - 0
2081647 tn?1378304054
I'm 9 weeks and i listen to my babys heartbeat with a doppler everyday, i ordered a doppler got it last week when i was 8 weeks and have been able to hear the heartbeat since i got it, maybe you should see a doctor and see if they'll check it for you
Helpful - 0
1901977 tn?1333991726
I heard the heartbeat via ultrasound until around 18 weeks. My OB tried for awhile at 14 weeks but couldn't find it yet, she said that's not uncommon as the baby is still pretty small. I wouldn't worry too much, but you could see if they'll check you on the ultrasound machine if you're really concerned.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I assume you mean with the doppler, and not through ultrasound. Sometimes the nurse is in a hurry and doesnt work with it too long. Next time, if its hard to find, tell them you are worried and tell them you really want to make sure everything is okay.
Helpful - 0
2080451 tn?1347232420
With my first 2 im pretty sure i was at least 8 weeks when i heard their heartbeats...now with this one i heard it at 6 weeks because im high risk.  The babies heart starts beating between 6 & 7 weeks so they should be able to find something...i would go to a doctor and see.
Helpful - 0
2026902 tn?1369098398
My doctors checked every appointment since 12 weeks. I work in er and they ask nurses to check and they can't always find them. I would have doctor check if your worried
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Avatar universal
*doctor
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Avatar universal
My docto checks @ every appt im 13weeks
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Avatar universal
My dr Checked for a heartbeat as soon as I got passed 7weeks and found one every time. I would look into finding someone else if I were you, that's just weird to me
Helpful - 0
1943295 tn?1388239324
I refuse to see the midwife at my doctors office. I have been seeing my doctor the whole pregnancy and this last time I seen here and was not happy....she didn't even look at my chart and treated me like I was the dumbest person on earth!

As far as heart beat....my doctor didn't start checking it until 20wks. I wouldn't worry about it!  Most doctors don't listen to it with a doppler until 20wks this is because it is easier to find! Most of the heart beat are monitor through an ultrasound! Please don't stress! If you can't stop worrying about it contact your doctor.....they will understand! Maybe he/she can clarify their policy of the heart beat monitoring!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
pls dnt stress at this moment, i woz also told at 17 wks that they cld not hear the heart beat of mine then seen my ob a couple wks later an i then asked to hear it and it woz confirmed :D i do know what ur sayn an how u are feeling but im sure ur little ones ok :D every1s different an in some people babies heart beats can b hard to hear at times,, how many wks are u???
Helpful - 0
1972798 tn?1355549267
Sorry but I heard heartbeat at 7 weeks as it starts beating at 6. Dr should be able to get it with a doppler at 15 weeks.... you may want to go se a dr as well just to make sure. That seems odd to me.
Helpful - 0
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