Midwives

[lolo99]

After watching the Midwives last night on BBC 2 (I really don't know why I do it to myself)- I got paranoid again after hearing of the still-birth at 20 weeks. Scares the hell out of me. Today I have my 16 week midwife appointment. Do you think they will listen for a heartbeat if I ask or is there no point asking? Wouldn't it be great if we could see inside for ourselves- or maybe not as I would never get anything else done. haha

Hey, my mw offered to listen for hb without me having to ask! In a short time you'll have your reassurance as bubs start making him/her self felt. Best feeling in the world!! :-) good luck today! X

Your MW should listen to the HB at every appointment from 16 weeks on, I think (mine does)

Mine too, but apparently there's been a change in guidelines recently and mw are going off movements rather than hb. It's a shame if you ask me, lovely to hear that sound at each appt.
Though, I should add, if mw doesn't listen as routine she will if asked.

This is what I've read on another thread on here so apologies if it's incorrect.
X

thank you everyone. Heading off at 2.50pm- anxious and excited as well.

My midwife listened to hb at every appointment from 16weeks - Very reassuring particularly as you won't be feeling movements just yet . If she doesn't please ask her to do so. Its not so much of an issue at later appointments as you will probably be feeling movements by then which is even more reassuring and you get to enjoy that yourself - let us know how you get on x

NICE guidelines now advise midwives not to listen to heartbeat but to look for movements instead. So if your midwife is sticking strictly to the new guidelines she won't offer to listen for a heartbeat. In practice what they do seems to vary. I was told by one that they would not listen as early as 16 weeks, and definitely not until nearer 28 weeks but the midwife I saw at 23-ish weeks did have a listen without me asking her(very reassuring!). So you can ask, but they may not do it. It would be nice if they would explain to us as a matter of course why they are not doing it (if they don't do it), as most mums to be will expect it (either from having had a baby already, or from hearing or reading about others who have had the heartbeat checked)!

My midwife listened at 16 weeks, but warned that we may not hear anything. There was a nice strong heartbeat, though - very reassuring!

Mine listened at 16 weeks too. If she doesn't offer then definitely ask - I am sure she will be happy to reassure you.

Good luck! (I was freaked out by Midwives last night too - just waiting for my 20 week scan next week to feel reassured!)

Mine asked me if I wanted her to try at 16 weeks and warned me it was common not to pick it up at 16 weeks, and that I wasn't to worry if she couldn't.

I said yes to trying and luckily she picked it up straight away. HB has been checked at every appointment since and if it wasn't, I would have asked for it. I have an anterior placenta and didn't feel proper movements until 21 weeks, so without listening for HB, I wouldn't have had much reassurance otherwise, NICE guidelines or no NICE guidelines.

The midwife refused to listen at my 16 weeks checkup as she advised that the new guidance in my area is to wait until after 20 week scan due to do many women worrying when the heartbeat can't be found (even though everything is ok).

I bought a doppler in the end as I hadn't felt any movement with this baby, until 18 weeks, whereas I had by 13 weeks in my first pregnancy. Not sure I'd advocate that though is it can be a source of worry in itself, wasn't for us but I know it can be for some.

Good luck, it's probably worth asking anyway to see what their policy is, it seems to differ from one region to another.

I'm 18+5 and was at my midwife appt this morning. She said it was policy at the hospital not to listen for a heartbeat until 20+ weeks as it can be difficult to find and stressful for both midwife and patient if they can't locate it.

I think it depends on the trust whether they listen to the heartbeat at 16 weeks. I was told they don't anymore so didn't expect it but my MW did. I think it's not seen as best practice by NICE guidelines but not too sure. I feel for you and had exactly the same worries right up until I started feeling movement regularly. People just kept reminding me that it does happen but the risks are significantly lower

posted too early!

after 12 weeks! xx

had my appointment and although not routine at 16 weeks she was lovely and said it was fine. Described it to me as a 'galloping horse'- feel a bit of relief now.

Yey! It's a lovely sound isn't it???

Pleased all went well for you - just 4 weeks to next scan :-)

I've just booked my 3d scan for beginning of oct when I'll be 29 weeks, can't wait.

thank you. Feel relief again. Now the wait until 20 weeks. I'm not wishing my life away but just really want these mile-stones over...is it normal?

Normal??? I've never wanted Christmas to come so quickly - and not for Santa!! I just want bubs here safe and sound and I not settle properly til I have a healthy little un safe in my arms!!x

Completely normal! I had my 20 week scan last night and am now hoping that I stop wishing for the next thing so quickly now that anomolies have been ruled out!!