Think I'm pregnant but don't know what to do

[Confused521]

Long story short.
I've had two short periods over the past couple of months and some minor, weird symptoms (that could be pregnancy or pms). My belly has started to swell a bit though so I listened on a doppler today and think I heard a HB. Very confused given the bleeding and lack of any other signs (test i did a few weeks ago was inconclusive).

Now, last year, I got pregnant and the heart stopped at 10.5 weeks which was horrible - we had just told everyone and then I haemorraged badly so needlesstosay, I'm not keen to get excited about this one just yet. I have very little idea of how pregnant I might be but if the two periods weren't proper periods then I reckon about 8 weeks.

What should I do? What are NHS hospitals like at the moment? Last year, mine was a hostile environment and not at all pleasant so I did the scans privately.

My instinct is to wait a little longer, maybe 2-3 weeks, check the HB again and then book a private scan to see where things are at. I have been taking folate etc but I did get very drunk a few weeks ago when I got married and now feel utterly crap about that :(

Any advice on any of this would really help.

Thanks in advance.

Do another test?

Unless you are a sonographer don't use a Doppler! Just do another pregnancy test

You’re probably hearing your own heartbeat or blood pulsing. Do another pregnancy test.

I just did another test and it is positive (eek!) so that answers that 😊 I know I'm not a sonographer but I'm quite good with them. Anyway, now it's a case of deciding what to do now. I'm not keen on getting a scan just yet, maybe after the 10.5 week mark, I'll feel better. Who knows. I'm in shock.

I did. That was a sensible piece of advice. Although if my HB was 170 bpm I'd be calling the doc for a different reason

@Confused521 I was just about to post but you got there first - congrats that's fab news. Take care of yourself ☺️

Thank you x

Fab news! Bin the doppler. They do more harm than good.

Contact your gp to get into the system as you will need a booking in appointment with your midwife at around 10 weeks. You really need a scan asap to date it although I understand why this will be difficult for you. Seeing the gp means you'll get your 12 week scan. Best of luck to you!

Do they? Now I'm worried about that. Agree I should have a dating scan soonish. Are midwives / hospitals letting partners into appts yet?

Agree with @Cinni23 you need to phone and get a booking apt sorted. Depends where you are but in Scotland where I am you are allowed to take a partner to apts and scans.

Congratulations 🎉

I understand your reticence to make it ‘formal’, but I would recommend booking with your midwife ASAP, some screening has a time limit and leaving it too long may mean you miss the mark for it.

Sonic aids have an amazing function, in the right hands and with the knowledge to understand what you are hearing, please don’t use it unless you are trained in doing so.

As for partners, it’s trust dependant, mine is allowing for dating and anomaly scans with a lateral flow prior to the appt done on site. You’d be able to get more info on your trust from their social media page, website or from the midwife.

All the best, I hope this is a successful pregnancy for you x

Congratulations, that’s wonderful news! I’m impressed you got the heartbeat on a Doppler, you must be a pro.

Thank you. It's quite straightforward, have managed it with every pregnancy. The HB is over twice as fast as mine. I won't get obsessed with it though!

It's not just the beats per minute you're listening for though op. There's a lot of audible blood flow and placenta sounds that untrained people tend to think is the FH but it's not. There's a reason the NHS don't recommend them, you have no idea what you're actually listening to or for if you're untrained.

I'm very surprised you've found what you think is the FH so early. Midwives don't even listen in now until 25 to 28 weeks due to the risk of not being able to find it.

Midwives where I work listen in from 16/40.

Huge congratulations, OP. Defo bin the sonicaid

I will bin it :p

Congratulations! I had a drunken weekend 23 years ago when I was unknowingly 6 weeks pregnant. I worried myself stupid when I found out, that baby has just finished his degree at Oxford!