Did you get to hear the heartbeat at 16wks?

[JambalayaCodfishPie]

I don't mean could you hear it, were you OFFERED it?

Have my 16wk MW appointment and really want to hear the heartbeat. Am feeling seriously detached from this pregnancy and think it might help.

Thank you.

Hi - wasn't offered it and I stupidly didn't ask. Was in and out in well under 10 minutes for my 16 week appointment and don't have another 'till 24 weeks! Starting to realise (from other, more knowledgeable ladies on here) that sometimes you need to be a little more pushy with what you'd like. Hope that you get to hear it and that you start to feel a little bit better about it all - I felt a tad detached as well until I started to feel it moving :) x

The midwife always checks the heartbeat when i go i think it's standard practice for them so i would guess you should get to, if not ask she will have the machine with her anyway.

They usually take your blood, pee and blood pressure then ask you to pop up on the table have a feel at your tummy and then get the heartbeat.

clearly not standard practice so ask!

I think I'm just worried that because she's busy (and she IS mega busy) it won't get done. I shall have to be brave/pushy.

Yes my MW listens to heartbeart during every visit.

If this doesn't happen you should ask. It's your right to hear it.

I was offered it. 'twas fab.

Yes. Both times.

According to NICE guidelines midwives should not offer to listen to the heartbeat, as it is only an indication of fetal wellbeing at the time you do it, the best indicator is feeling/seeing movements and normal growth of the uterus and so it is not advised as part of routine appointments.

They can however listen at maternal request, and seeing as nearly every woman wants to listen in the majority of MWs tend to offer and do it as part of the appointment. Some midwives might wait for you to ask though, so if yours doesn't offer just ask it won't be a problem for her :)

Thank you eyesearsnose - thats really helpful to know. :)

My Parnter and I were offered it Saturday at 14 weeks 6 days. It was the most amazing sound in the world and being able to hear bumps gymnastics during the appointment.

Ym1 xxx

Yep, they used a doppler to hear the hb at 16 weeks with DD and this pregnancy. The only difference is that, 4 years ago, they wrote down the heart rate aswell, but this time they're not recording the heart rate. I think I recall the midwife saying the guidelines have changed and they only do it for the mother's reassurance now.

They wrote down the heart rate at mine. Odd how it seems to vary so much...

At 16 weeks not everyone gets to hear a heartbeat. It depends on the midwife. I did get to hear it 'apparantly' but she really struggled to find it. Cos at that time the baby can still tuck itself away and hide making it hard to find

I did get to hear it with DD but this pregnancy the midwife said new guidance is to not listen as they frequently can't hear it that early and it just gets people unnecessarily worried.

No bloods taken at my 16 week appointment either, just urine and blood pressure.

Just shows how it can vary area to area.

I didnt get mine and I asked and wanted it :(

She did it. Had to nag though, and she quoted guidelines at me, so I quoted them right back!

My midwife just did it - I didn't realise you would ever have to ask. It was the most incredible thing. I blubbed like a total fool!!!

I never got to until 24 weeks but after that they listen every visit and i am know 37+6 weeks!

I also had to push for her to listen in, and after a long winded dialogue of how difficult it can be to trace it at 16 weeks blah,blah she hit the spot first time!

She did write FHH but then crossed it out as per the other posters that guidlines have changed in recording it at that stage.

This pregnancy (my 4th and last) I have definately seen a difference in the level of care it seems watered down almost. Whether thats because I am now considered 'an old hand' or the service is under such pressure that women are being increasingly treated as though they are on a production line!

I have read lots of threads where things have not been explained,appointments rushed and questions left unasked or unanswered!

I actually had an early miscarriage early this year, so for me even though its number 4 its a totally different experience with a lot more anxiety, hence me pushing to hear the heartbeat.

Its such a shame that parents miss out on hearing that wonderful sound as a result of 'guidlines!'

No. All my colleagues are in a different area and all got to hear so I expected to. They listened at every appointment after 16 weeks.