16 week midwife appointment - babys heartbeat

[Natb1987]

Does anyone know if they check babys heartbeat at the 16 week midwife appointment? Im at St Thomas's London. I read that areas do it differently and that most are waiting until the 20 week point now?

[maternityleave234]

Some midwives do, some don’t. My midwife did , but said it also depends on the weight / build of the mother , ie a higher bmi might make it harder to find a heartbeat.
I’d had a TVS at 16 weeks and had seen baby again so wasn’t hugely fussed about the midwife listening to heartbeat.

[AprilFernLouise]

My midwife doesn't offer it at 16 week appt anymore but was happy to do it as I asked for it.

[Megan2018]

It is not done here, not until 24 weeks, but I can't comment on other areas.
I first heard the heartbeat at 22wks when admitted to MAU for spotting.

[Frizzy1986]

Mine offered but did warn me that they can't always find it and if it would worry me then its best that they wait until the next appointment as it can cause undue stress.
I tried to stay realistic and asked them to try and they couldn't find it. They found the placenta beating away like crazy though.
I wasn't worried as I knew that this is the reason they don't always try.
I had a consultant appointment at 18 weeks and by then it took seconds for them to find it so a few weeks does make all the difference.

[Qwerty19]

Mine did but pre warns that it's not easy to find. She found it 1sr try. Unfortunately it was very fast 190bpm so have to have it checked at 26 weeks and possibly get referred.

[GabbyChalice400]

Mine did at 16 weeks and every subsequent midwife appointment after that.

[ReggaetonLente]

I was under St Thomas' and yes they did at mine. I remember because I was desperate to know the sex and the midwife said the heartbeat was often a good indicator! And she was right!

[Natb1987]

@ReggaetonLente ooh was it the heartbeat rate? What does it mean?

[Iwouldlikesomecake]

If they don't offer, ask - but be aware not being able to hear it isn't an indicator of a problem. Just that baby isn't in a good position to hear it.

[Nonmerci]

Had four DC and they always did at my 16 week app but did pre-warn they may struggle to find it.

[sadtoday21]

I asked at 13+4 because of a lot of anxiety over a previous mmc. The midwife found it after only a few minutes and told me the rate! It can be found as early as 11 or 12 weeks I think, but midwives won't always agree to listen for it that early.

[ReggaetonLente]

They say a higher heart rate - 160+ i think it was? - is more likely to be a girl. DD was 165

Not foolproof obviously but my midwife said 8 out 10 times its right. Just a bit of fun.

[Alainlondon]

Hi. I'm also in St Thomas. Although my midwife was reluctant to do it as apparently 16 weeks baby might be tricky to find. I promised her I won't be panicking if we won't be successful so she tried and it was great to hear my babys heart ♥. I'm 32 weeks now 😊

[Lou2120]

I had my appointment yesterday and the student midwife couldn't find the heartbeat I was almost in tears then my midwife tried and found it straight away! 156bpm. They have to try really low down the student midwife was trying to high up!