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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Cannot find heartbeat on doppler at 12 weeks? Can someone reassure??

20 replies

LittleMidge · 21/11/2012 10:35

Am I doing something wrong, or is there something wrong.
Low in my belly, just above pelvic line I pick up a strong whoosh-whoosh noise but no HB. Had scan at 10 weeks and all was fine, and have a scan on monday at 13 weeks. think i got a brief fast drum like noise the other evening but not for long...
Are chances that I'm just missing it? Or is soemthing wrong? Reading other peoples posts makes it sound like the HB should be really easy to find.
It is an Angel Sounds Doppler.

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GoldenGreen · 21/11/2012 10:43

Many mws will not attempt to find a heartbeat using a doppler at 12 weeks, since the baby is still very small and it can cause more anxiety when a heartbeat can't be found. Also, it is a skill - has someone who knows shown you how to use it? If not, it really isn't a useful thing to do.

I know this hasn't answered your question, but honestly I think you should leave it for a few weeks.

sundaesundae · 21/11/2012 10:43

It's a bit early to reliably find it I think, the whoosh whoosh is placenta. Baby is tiny and still tucked quite low, so you probably caught it and it moved. Is there a reason for using the doppler? I bought one at 17 weeks after a period of spotting, it reassured me but I don't use it often. I am just asking to see if you are worried about something?

NoTeaForMe · 21/11/2012 10:44

I think 12 weeks is too early to hear the heartbeat. The midwives don't listen for it until 16 weeks and from memory even then they say they're not guaranteed to hear it.

Please take this in the nicest way-remember you are not a professional and of you are going to worry when you can't find the heartbeat then maybe the doppler isn't a good idea?

crunchingautumnleaves · 21/11/2012 10:47

The baby is still very small at 12 weeks and can be moving a lot and so very hard to even know where to try scanning. Also, one midwife just couldn't find heartbeat of my baby at around 33 weeks but another found it straight away. Contact your midwife for a check/reassurance if you're concerned - worry is not going to help. And then, if it were me, I'd be binning the doppler and not think about using it again. Hope everything works out ok for you!

Original poster

LittleMidge · 21/11/2012 10:50

Yes Sundae 3 MCs in a row has made me very paranoid this time.
Thank you for the responses they are reassuring - even it is just me being silly!! I was given the doppler by a friend who found it really easy to use

OP posts:

Northernlurker · 21/11/2012 10:51

It's too early. You will read posts from people who say they hear it at x weeks. They're generally wrong. You've had a good scan and saw the heartbeat. Try and fous on that. I know it's an anxious time but all the doppler is doing is worrying you more.

sundaesundae · 21/11/2012 10:55

Oh LittleMidge it is tough, there is a nice pregnancy after miscarriage thread on here, we are very supportive, so come and join in if you want to.

Try not to worry, everyone is different, every pregnancy is different so don't worry too much about comparing, it doesn't help.

Try and leave the doppler, this is going to sound harsh, but it won't make any difference, and TBH it only reassures you for the length of hearing the HB for! Concentrate on the good things, you are over 12 weeks, you have seen your bean and there is a very good chance everything will be fine.

Lean on people when you need to, it does get easier!

Original poster

LittleMidge · 21/11/2012 10:57

thanks sundae

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Vivalebeaver · 21/11/2012 10:59

As a midwife I'd probably struggle to find a heartbeat at 12 weeks. Try not to worry.

worldgonecrazy · 21/11/2012 10:59

Dopplers can be very tricky to use, even for experienced midwives. I do understand why you need one - following two mcs I caved in and bought one for DD's pregnancy and the relief when I heard her heartbeat was beyond words. I also bought one of the microphone pick up monitors as I worry about dopplers - DD seemed to do everything in her power to avoid the doppler when it was used.

If it helps put your mind at rest - at about 30 something weeks I went to the midwife for a routine check and she couldn't find a heartbeat. It took her 15 minutes. Those minutes would have been horrific, if DD hadn't been doing an alien impression and making my stomach dance around as she moved to avoid the doppler. It was very obvious from my stomach movements that she was fine.

Original poster

LittleMidge · 21/11/2012 11:02

Thanks Vivalebeaver that is really reasurring, and thank you worldgonecrazy.
I shall pack it away for now and wait patiently ( biting finger nails off!! ) until scan next week!!

OP posts:

itsmyfirsteek · 21/11/2012 11:15

Please try not to worry, I cam only echo what evryone else has said. The baba is very small and a bh for a trained midwife is hard.
I've been a paranoid anxious mess since I got pregnant. I'm 18+2 now and still the same, I'm just holding out till I start to feel the flutters. I've been to my GP once a week for the past 4 weeks and they've always seen me and always used the doppler to reassure me.
You have had a good scan, focus on that and look forward to the next one.
We are all here for support xxx

Emsyboo · 21/11/2012 12:26

My midwife wouldn't use doppler at 16 weeks as she wasn't confident she could find it, sometimes you can sometimes you can't but don;t worry. It may also be that you have an anterior placenta (at the front) which would put another obstacle in front of you an the baby and possibly why the placenta whooshing sound is easy to hear.

Please don't worry I am no expert but if Midwives don't always find the heartbeat 4 weeks on then its not surprising you can't here it. You only have a week to the scan - goodluck :) x x

wilderumpus · 21/11/2012 12:44

just to add, I have had three mcs (sorry to hear about yours :() and complications in this pg, (am now 15 weeks). I asked the nurse at EPU if I should get a dopplar to stop bothering them with scans as then I woould know the baby was ok and she said NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! She said that depending on where the baby is at any time, and even the fullness of your bladder, can affect whether you catch the HB.

She suggested going to MW drop in clinics if I want to listen in, or ring my GP for a referral to EPU if I have a bigger concern.

You'll have your scan next week, then a listen in with the MW at 16 weeks, then another scan at 20 weeks... then you might be feeling them wriggle which will reassure you too.

Hang on in there and congratulations for getting this far :)

worsestershiresauce · 21/11/2012 18:15

The midwife couldn't find a HB at my 16 week check up, which made me sick with worry. It was fine though, the baby must have been dodging it. She had no problem at the 24 week check up. I'd agree with others that 12 weeks is probably too early.

Dogsmom · 21/11/2012 18:40

I've got a doppler and have never managed to find it (I'm 24+4) I feel her kicking regularly so she must be fine, I've packed it away now because it was worrying me.

ScaredySquirrel · 21/11/2012 18:43

I couldn't find my own heartbeat with my Angel Sounds Doppler

(sorry not very helpful - hope it's ok for you op).

SoYo · 21/11/2012 18:44

I've been working in obstetrics for 5yrs. I wouldn't be trying to find an FH at this stage as your baby is still pretty much completely within the bony protection of your pelvis and doppler can't work through bone so there's only a tiny window for it to hear through!

I have to say I really don't agree with home dopplers because I've had a few people be falsely reassured by them but if you find it helpful and nice to listen in then by all means use it after 16 weeks. What I would say though is if the reason you find yourself having a listen is because you're not sure about movements, have bleeding or really just don't feel right put the doppler down and go and see the MW/GP/hospital instead! Never feel like you're bothering people for no good reason. We would much rather see you and there be nothing wrong and send you home again after a quick check than you drive yourself mad worrying at home!

Hope this helps and doesn't sound like a nag! I had to keep sitting on my hands to stop myself having a cheeky listen at work before I started feeling movements but now that I feel them I don't feel like I need any other reassurance so hopefully you'll feel the same!

flamingtoaster · 21/11/2012 18:49

When I went to the doctor when I was 13 weeks she said that she would try to find the heartbeat but that it was extremely difficult at that stage and I wasn't to get upset if she couldn't find it. She did eventually find it but, as she said, it wasn't easy!

Bunnychan · 21/11/2012 20:50

I have an angel sounds and I could find hb at 10-12 weeks SOMETIMES! Don't worry! I've learned that I find mine best first thing in the morning, before I have a wee. After that, I struggle to find it. I only use it once a week now. Please don't stress, put it away and try again another day at a different time x

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