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Pregnancy

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Original poster

What happens at 16-wk check? Worth partner taking a morning off work for?

15 replies

ecuse · 28/10/2010 11:06

I know practices vary from place to place but I was wondering generally what I can expect to happen at my 16-wk check? I'm in Hackney, and they do shared care there, so this one will be with the GP rather than at the hospital.

I'm wondering whether to bother taking my partner with me. I have heard that some people get to listen to the heartbeat, which I know he'd really like to hear. If this is pretty standard I'll take him with me. On the other hand if they're just going to ask me some general questions, take blood and weigh me then no point him taking a morning off work; I don't feel like I need the moral support!

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elportodelgato · 28/10/2010 11:10

Hi there - I am also in Hackney and would say the 16 week check is not worth your DP taking a day off work for. I didn't hear the heartbeat, she just weighed me and took blood and urine samples, asked how I was etc. Much better if he takes time off for the 20 week scan. As you get further along you'll be seeing the midwives more regularly and they always check the heartbeat so if he wants to come along for one of those appointments, that would probably be more worth it, but TBH I have never seen a partner at the midwife clinic

JBrd · 28/10/2010 11:12

My midwife has recommended to bring DH to the 16-week scan, as you get to listen to the baby's heartbeat - maybe you could ask your mw what actually will be done at yours, as it looks as if it's different from place to place.

manchestermummy · 28/10/2010 11:12

Usually they can get the heartbeat at 16 weeks, so it's entirely up to him. DH came to one or two appointments when I was pg with DD and came to one in this pg, but other than that he hasn't - he's been to all the scans though. Other than the heartbeat there's not much for him to learn, unless he wants to hear me complaining about never ending morning sickness, which he gets at home anyway

me23 · 28/10/2010 11:14

A lot of dr/mws won't listen for the hb this early anymore as there is a good chance it won't be detected because baby has so much space to hide still! The 16 week check is fairly routine stuff bp, urine, and giving you your booking blood results. It isn't doubting in the uk to weigh at every visit, its usually just done at your booking.

Cyclebump · 28/10/2010 11:16

My DP couldn't get off work for mine. I got to hear the heartbeat and he was a little disappointed to have missed it (it's DC1 for both of us and he's paranoid about problems).

However, he's planning to make the 20-week scan and, as he runs his own business we knew there would be ones he would miss so we're not overly fussed he couldn't do 16 weeks.

me23 · 28/10/2010 11:17

I meant routine not doubting silly iPhone! What bloods were u having taken at 16 weeks? It isn't stAndard to take bloods then? Did you not have them taken at your first Appt?

Deliaskis · 28/10/2010 11:29

I heard the heartbeat at 16 week check, but DH didn't come, and was happy enough to hear that all was well and that I had heard it.

He came to 20 week scan, which was way more significant IMO.

thefurryone · 28/10/2010 11:43

I had a midwife appointment at 14 weeks which probably should have been my 16 week check (I had my 12 week scan at 10 weeks so seem to be a bit ahead of myself!).

Went on my own, did get to hear the heartbeat. I was actually quite surprised as reading on here and other places I thought the midwife wouldn't try or that it would take ages to find or that I wouldn't hear it and would then panic, but she found the instance she put the probe on my skin.

DH would have liked to hear it too but he's really busy at work and the time it would have taken him to get there and back means it probably wasn't really worth it as I was only in there for about 10 mins at the most. He'll come for scan at 20 weeks though.

lucielooo · 28/10/2010 12:45

Had mine yesterday - they did urine and blood pressure check, felt my tummy and listened for the heart beat with a doppler. The midwife did say that they can't always find the heartbeat at 16 weeks but it isn't anything to worry about. (she found it for me though and I am both overweight and have an anterior placenta, so imagine the majority of the time they can find it!)

GoldenKippers · 28/10/2010 20:00

I wouldn't bother if it's not a scan. At the 16 week appointment they check urine, blood pressure and listen to the baby's heartbeat, which is lovely to hear, but you will have the 20-week scan in a few weeks' time. I have been in and out within about 10 minutes for most of my appointments - in fact I recently took one of my chickens to the vet and she had twice as long with him as I get with the midwife!

ShowOfBloodyStumps · 28/10/2010 20:03

I didn't take dh. 5 minutes, in and out. Dip sticked urine, bp, quick feel of abdomen, are you okay?, bye. Done and dusted.

1Catherine1 · 28/10/2010 20:12

It is really up to your OH. Does he want to go or not? My OH comes to every appointment and scan with me. He doesn't want to miss a single thing. I told him that he really didn't have to come to my 16 week appointment since it was at 8:40am and he had only finished work at 2am that morning, but he insisted and got up to come with me. We heard the heart beat and the appointment was over within about 10 minutes. IMO he should have stayed home in bed but he wouldn't have it any other way.

Sierra19 · 28/10/2010 21:03

All I had at 16wk check was blood pressure, fetal heartbeat (I have a doppler so had already been hearing it since about week 12) and a bit of a chat. I didnt even get a urine test as I couldnt get a sample out!

Miffster · 28/10/2010 21:55

You can always ask the mw to let you record the HB (my phone has a voice memo thing that worked or you can call your own number and record the HB on your answerphone). Then you and your man can listen to it over and over again!

diyqueen · 28/10/2010 23:05

I was hoping to hear the heartbeat, but basically the nurse checked urine and blood pressure and then the doctor asked if I was keeping well, and then said 'well, I'll let you go then'. Realised when I got out that I hadn't been told the results of my blood tests or offered the triple test (not that I wanted it anyway). All well so not concerned, sure would have been in there longer if said was concerned about anything. Waste of time really, glad I didn't take anyone else!

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