Just wondering when you can expect to hear bub's heartbeat with a doppler?
I had an appointment with my GP today and he couldn't find bub's heartbeat. He wasn't worried at all and said that because I'm so tall (6 foot) that bub is possibly too low down still for the doppler to work.
I'm trying so hard not to worry but my ms has suddenly lessened and I'm scared it means my levels are dropping.
I tried to hear bub's heartbeat at 11 weeks and i couldnt hear anything. But i have been hearing it from 13 weeks. So it is probably just too early. My m/s also stopped at 10 weeks suddenly but came back at 11 weeks.
It depends on where the baby is positioned as well as the equipment used.
At my first hospital booking appointment (16 weeks roughly) the midwife after much pushing by me used the doppler and found the heartbeat right away. She said it was unlikely that she would find it because babies are very small at this stage but she did.
At my doctor's the following week I asked to hear the heartbeat even though it is his policy NOT to listen for the heartbeat until past 20 weeks so he refused. Then at the 20 week one it took 20 minutes before he located it. It was very stressful for me waiting to hear it but at the same time I could feel the baby moving so I knew she was alive. His doppler is older and less sensitive than the hospitals which is the reason he couldn't find the hb easily and why he doesn't like checking until 20 weeks.
My point is... try not to stress. Different equipment yields different results and depending on the stage you are at in your pregnancy the heartbeat can be very difficult to find because the baby is so small.
How far along are you? I have a measuring thing that says how big a baby is at each point of the pregnancy that was in the bounty bag with quick-eze which is a guide only but it puts it into perspective of the size of bubs.
What a goose I am! I just read your ticker which says 10 wk 3 days. According to the quick-eze thing your baby is 3 cm from head to bum which is probably why they had trouble finding the hb because the little wriggler could be anywhere with so much space to move around in.
BTW with my 1st pregnancy, I had intermittant m/s the whole time and she is now 4. So a lack of m/s doesn't always mean a bad thing... maybe you're just getting a reprieve for a day or so.
Last edited by curl; August 12th, 2008 at 04:52 PM.
Thanks so much ladies...I am 10 weeks 3 days...so it's probably just too early. I'm just so paranoid because I've just started to get a little bit hopeful and every other time I've let myself get excited things have gone bad...not this time...this is our lucky number 7 bubba...our miracle...I just have to stay positive!
Yes, it is wonderful and amazing... the miracle of life. Don't forget that the 3cm doesn't include the legs, its just body and head. But it does put it into perspective doesn't it?
As for your paranoia... completely understandable under the circumstances. You've been through so much already. Big hugs to you and best of luck.
with Toby I had an 11 week appointment and the GP said we will try to listen for a heartbeat but don't worry if we don't hear one and normally it is around 12 weeks that I can pick up up but we got to hear the heart beat
Hello,
My DH (he's a registered nurse) and I found our baby's heartbeat on our home doppler at just 11 weeks 2 days. IT depends on the doppler, where bubs is positioned, where the placenta is etc etc.... and also how experience the GP or whoever is at using the doppler! They aren't the easiest things to use but as baby gets bigger it's so much easier to find baby's heartbeat we find anyway....
you are still only 10wks so give it some time..... most dopplers don't detect until 12wks+
Good luck sure all is just fine not long til your scan.... and then you'll start feeling bubs move it's the best feeling!!
Hearing our baby's heartbeat is the most beautiful sound in the world..... it's the sweetest sound ever
Ellie, We still haven't heard bumps heart beat. We have only seen it twice. The first time at the 12 week scan which was our first scan and again a couple of weeks ago at my Obs appointment. Although in 6 more days we will have our 19 weeks scan and I so looking forward to hearing it then. I just wish I had a flap on my tummy that I could lift up and have a pick a boo at bump to make sure its still happily playing in there. I am yet to feel bump kicking either. Perhaps I have already but I am pretty sure what I have been feeling is just round ligament pain and digestive stuff. Oh can't wait to see bump again. You will be fine. 7 is a lucky and blessed number I think. God created the world in 7 days so I think your 7th bub will be the keeper! YEAH!
P.S. Has anyone tried the toilet roll tube on your tummy? Thought I read somewhere that you can do that and might hear a heart beat. But I am thinking thats probably a bit silly.
MS was horrific late yesterday and has been back this morning so feeling 'pregnant' again today...that must sound so silly. Today I am fighting the urge to phone and see if I can have my scan earlier...currently booked for 12.5 weeks...but at the same time don't want to tempt fate...I agree...we need 'viewing windows' like in a glass bottom boat so we can see what's going on in there!!!
Ellie whilst some people can find a heartbeat via doppler prior to 16 weeks these are exceptions and not the rule. As you know your baby is tiny - it is usually lots of persistence or luck that can locate the fetal heartbeat via doppler this early.
I wouldn't even try at your gestation - it is stressful for the mother and the operator and also unlikely - as I said with persistence and a good dose of luck it is possible to find it but the time it takes causes undue distress (imo).
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When can you hear bub's heartbeat with a doppler?
that's wonderful news.
not long til your scan.... and then you'll start feeling bubs move it's the best feeling!!
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