17 weeks and all the sudden I can't find baby's hb!

[Pixiedust913]

I bought a home doppler that I started using at around 10-11 weeks and haven't ever had a hard time finding baby's hb. This will be #4 for us and we went to a mw w/ the first 3 who mainly used a Doppler to monitor, so I'm pretty familiar w/ the different sounds. The only other time I had trouble it turned out baby had just moved a bit and I found it after a couple of minutes! Had an ob appt last week and we had no trouble, now all of the sudden I can't find it anywhere! I tried last night and this morning and I'm kinda freaking out! All I can find is *my* hb! I know they say not to be to concerned if you use a home Doppler, because they can be unreliable, but like I said, never had trouble til now! Has anyone had a similar experience and how did it turn out??
P.S. guess I should mention that the reason I'm seeing an ob instead of my mw is chronic high bp, hence the concern...

[Elaine Brown, MD]

Hi!
If you were my patient, I would advise you that I hate home dopplers for exactly that reason.  I supsect that your baby is just fine, but you should check in with your doctor.  Your doctor will probably be able to find the heartbeat with the doppler, but has the extra added advantage of being able to scan with ultrasound if he/she cannot.
Good luck!
Dr B

[momma2sugarplums]

First off hugs to you, I'm sorry to hear this. I've had 2 stillborns 26 & 27 wks. It's very hard but with time it did get better for me. And request lots of bloodwork. By no means is it normal to lose your unborn child there is a reason..I don't care what any doctor says, I was told that twice it I lost them both so the docs were being lazy. Good luck sweetie inbox me if you want to talk.

[Pixiedust913]

Thank you. I can only imagine the grief of losing a child that far along!  I sure had hoped to never have to deal with this kind of loss, but I think you're right. Sometimes things just aren't meant to be.  I had a 'feeling' (intuition, perhaps) that this pregnancy was not going to be easy, and now I know why!  I don't know what your beliefs are, but I personally have a strong belief that there is a life after this one and that families are an eternal unit.  After being able to see my baby's sweet little face and perfectly formed body (even at just 17 weeks!) it brings me some comfort to know he'll be mine in the hereafter.  Sure doesn't lessen the pain of today, but it does give me hope for the future.  I think most of the time it really is a 'fluke' (for lack of a better term!)  Congrats on your current pregnancy, and prayers for a happy outcome!

[egal10]

I'm sorry for your loss. I suffered a stillbirth at 28 weeks earlier this year, so I can understand what you are going through. We were unable to find a cause for our loss. I choose to look at it as sometimes things are just not meant to be. That doesn't help the devastation.  I am currently 8 weeks pregnant and terrified, but taking things one day at a time.

You are in my thoughts.

[Pixiedust913]

Thanks, I am too!  They ran some blood tests (on me) for genetic issues, and the took the placenta to the lab, but we didn't ask for an autopsy or anything.  I've had 3 perfectly healthy pregnancies and there were no obvious malformations or anything.  They were able to do an induction and avoid surgery, so I was grateful for that.  He was perfectly formed and beautiful! As far as we could tell his heart just stopped. I do wonder if it had to do with my bp (because it did start acting up the previous week), but I don't know that there's any way to know for sure. All I know for sure is I knew it was coming, so as much as it hurts, I'll cope!

[stephanie1121]

I'm so sorry do they have any idea why this happened?

[Pixiedust913]

Thanks. Me too :*(

[tomorrow264]

I'm so sorry to read this. I was really hoping it was just the doppler.

[Pixiedust913]

Unfortunately, mine apparently works pretty well, and the baby was in a perfect position, but the Dr. confirmed my worst fear that there is no hb anymore. While I am devastated, I'm also grateful it wasn't a huge shock. I'm supposed to call to schedule an induction a.s.a.p... :(

[conniekayy]

i hate those things they never worked right with my pregnancies... just a cool thing to have when they do work right otherwise they freak u out. lol im sure ur baby is fine. if you are real worried a trip to the doctor or er can confirm with a better fetal heartbeat machine.

[tomorrow264]

I would try again and if you still can't find the heartbeat see if your doctor an get you in. If they can't maybe a trip to the ER. Things could be perfectly fine but better to get checked out.