Talk

Flip

Get updates on how your baby develops, your body changes, and what you can expect during each week of your pregnancy by signing up to the Mumsnet Pregnancy Newsletters.

Pregnancy

y did my gp attempt to find babys heartbeat now am freaking out cz she couldnt find it

10 replies

mummyneedinganswers · 08/07/2015 11:01

My placenta is at the front so don't feel much at all but my gp thought it would be a good idea to try and find the heartbeat and when she couldn't find it she panicked I panicked and now I have to go for a scan

OP posts:

Report

mummyneedinganswers · 08/07/2015 11:01

Should add I'm only 19 weeks pregnant

OP posts:

Report

Rosenwyn1985 · 08/07/2015 11:58

If it's any consolation my midwife tried at about 22 weeks and struggled badly. After 40 minutes and the head midwife helping they still only managed a few seconds (not even enough to get a reading). They did hear it so knew he was there but he moved so much it was almost impossible. Apparently they'd never had such a wriggly baby! It can be pretty hard early on for lots of reasons!

Report

Sparrowlegs248 · 08/07/2015 12:17

It isn't that easy to find the heartbeat. People often buy dopplers so they can do it themselves for reassurance then panic because its actually really difficult.

But the good thing is you get to go for a scan which will hopefully show everything is fine. Good luck. X

Report

ispyfispi · 08/07/2015 12:22

Yes it's not that easy to find and GPs are nowhere nearly as experienced in this as midwives. Add to that an anterior placenta I'd be surprised if your GP could find it to be honest. I don't know why they thought it'd be a good idea to try. Poor you, what unnecessary stress.

Report

Skiptonlass · 08/07/2015 12:26

It's not easy to find! I had the mw looking at mine a few days back...she got the umbilical cord straight off but the little swine was doing backflips in there and it took her a while to pin him down :) we could both feel him 'running away' from her poking him.

At 19 weeks with an anterior placenta you may not feel much - I'd just go for the scan - I bet you'll see them wriggling around happily.

As pps have said, this is why home dopplers are not recommended!

Report

geekymommy · 08/07/2015 14:49

I had this happen, though with an intern instead of my regular GP. I just dropped the toddler that resulted from that pregnancy off at preschool.

Report

mummyneedinganswers · 08/07/2015 15:00

Thanks everyone. Just home from maternity they didn't do a scan the midwife just put the Doppler on my tummy and found baby's very strong healthy heartbeat straight away so all is OK as I expect but at least dp was reassured he was so panicked god love home ..
Thanks everyone

OP posts:

Report

tbtc · 08/07/2015 15:03

Your GP was not very professional to have got into a panic about this.
As others have said, GPs are nowhere near as experienced as midwives as finding heart beats.

When mine tried to find mine he made pretty sure that I would not worry if he couldn't find it.

I'm glad you have been reassured.

Report

PerspicaciaTick · 08/07/2015 15:03

Many GPs know surprisingly little about pregnancy, childbirth and post natal issues - I guess because most of it is dealt with by midwives and consultants.

I'm so pleased that you have been reassured and heard your baby .

Report

mummyneedinganswers · 08/07/2015 19:15

Thanks I know I felt so silly going up but as I knew she would be OK. But as the midwife said if I didn't go up I wouldn't have forgive myself which is very true. And she was so lovely I felt really bad for wasting her time and she just reassured me that I wasn't and itsa situation that is quick and easily resolved in cases like mine but its just seeing all this poor women sitting there at our assessment unit in labour waiting to be seen and me being taking first all I could think was that will be me one day x