What if midwife doesn't find HB?

[JeelyPiece]

Just wondering. I have my 16 week check in a week when I think the mw will try to listen to the hb. Having had two mcs I am of course convinced this will not run smoothly, though it's the first time i've got through the 12 week scan. Also stupidly just tried doppler myself and couldn't find anything.

If she can't find the hb next week is she likely to be unconcerned and just look for it at the next appt or will they scan me? I don't know when my next appt will be but have my 20 week scan booked.

Try to stay positive. Worrying isn't good for you or your baby.

I've been panicking about the same.

I do know a couple of people that had scans post 20 weeks when the MW couldn't get a heartbeat and they were sent straight to hospital for scans.

At 16 weeks I don't know what they would do as a matter of course because it is not always possible to hear the HB at that stage especially if you are a bit overweight or the baby is very low in your pelvis.

I would imagine that you could insist on going to the hospital though.

Hi, thanks for answers. Have had scans at 6, 10 and 13 weeks - first two were for reassurance because of previous mcs. So I shouldn't be worried, I just can't believe that I could really have a baby.

I am a bit fat so that proably explains not finding hb just now, that and inexpert technique. Will hang on till next Thurs and see what happens with the mw. She will know whether to worry or not in the event she can't find it I suppose.

Cheers all

Loopy in theory yes I do :-) but my craziness says different. Will try to let rational side win this one.

Nancy I think you're at a similar stage to me, all the best for your pregnancy!

The MW couldn't find DS2's heartbeat at 16 weeks so she made me an appointment a couple of hours later at the antenatal PANDA unit at the hospital. There they scanned me and all was well, DS2 was tucked away at the back of my uterus so hard to detect! It is not unusual for them to have difficultly finding a heartbeat at 16 weeks as they say it is the earliest they should detect it. Please try not to worry, but having had a MC before two DS's I know that's hard. Good luck!

It's apparently not all that unusual to not find the heartbeat with a doppler at 16 weeks. Certainly that's what happened with my DD1, and although the MW said it wasn't a big deal she sent me for a scan. Everything was fine.

The odds are overwhelmingly on the side of your pregnancy going full term now you've reached this stage. I know it's hard, but do try to relax (and to enjoy!).

We would only scan if they couldnt hear a HB with doppler and you were 16 weeks+ i.e.15+6 and no scan, 16+0 and a scan. I know it sounds strange, but I guess there has to be a cut off somewhere??

I know every hospital is different, but just thought I'd give you an idea of what might happen?

I'm sure it will be absolutely fine though! As others have said it can be ery tricky to find a HB with a doppler due to equip/position of baby/mum's BMI/experience of practitioner? So really try not to worry!

jeelypiece i totally understand how you feel - i was terrified ahead of my 16 week appointment, having had four miscarriages in a row before my current pregnancy.
first of all, make sure the midwife knows right from the off that you have a history of MC and are very nervous about the appointment. if she's worth her salt, she will recognise that this means there's no point in having a long conversation about any other aspect of the pregnancy until you've heard the heartbeat, and she will have a listen right away.
Secondly, yes, it can be hard to find it at 16 weeks - especially if you have a full bladder, so make sure you go to the loo right before hand. don't be alarmed if it takes a while for them to find it. if one midwife can't find it they often call for another, who is more experienced.
if they still don't find it, what happens next really depends on the setting you're in. if you're in a hospital for the appointment, with luck they'll wheel a mobile ultrasound into the room and do a scan there and then. If not, i'm pretty sure they'll make you an appointment asap at the nearest antenatal unit.
If your midwives are really nice, as mine have been, they may be willing to offer you weekly reassurance appointments to listen to the heartbeat until you start feeling the baby move. i had this for four weeks, from 16 weeks till I was 20 weeks and started feeling kicks, and it was brilliant.
trishpio i can only assume you've never had a miscarriage?? it's very difficult just to "try to remain positive" about this sort of thing for anyone who has lost previous pregnancies, and saying blithely that worrying "isn't good for you or your baby" is hardly going to help the original poster. it will just make her feel worse, and that she might somehow be damaging her pregnancy by worrying.
good luck jeely - let us know how you get on.

jeely yes I am just coming up to 16 weeks - stressful pregnancy feel like it has been dragging on forever...

There is a thread running in pregnancy for those of us struggling a bit after a previous diffciult time. Neurotics (not that you are. I however am!) more than welcome so feel free to join in

here

If she dosn't find it don't panic it's quite common at 16 weeks still, I think they would scan you.

My last mw appt she couldn't find it and I was 33 weeks!

Thank you halib and lozza, that is reassuring to hear. Am going to take relaxed self for an early night!

How strange, I made that last post at 9pm, blasted iPhone. Am now up for early start. I feel a bit better about it so thank you everyone.

MrsS I will be 15+6 oh no!