What do they do if they can't find a heartbeat?

[fluffandnonsense]

I have my 16 week appointment tomorrow and I am slightly freaking out. I'm so worried they won't find a heartbeat. I've not had any movements at all and I'm sure last time I felt them earlier. If they don't hear the heartbeat what will they do? Will I get sent for a scan?

You'll be sent for a scan. Some practices don't listen for a heartbeat at 16 weeks because it can be difficult to find, so if they try and find one but can't don't panic :) there's only a tiny, tiny chance of that happening though, try not to worry :)

Im on baby6- i only felt movements at the end of week 16. With my last 3 i felt movement from week 14.

Its such a small risk of miscarriage after 12/13 weeks.

If the midwife couldn't hear a heart beat she would send you for a scan.

If your in an area where the heartbeat isn't listened to at the 16 week appointment, explain to your midwife how concerned you are.

Im sure you will be fine.

Take care. X x x

Lots of places won't listen to the heartbeat that early now as it's difficult to find and they won't send you for an early scan anyway.

Maybe your placenta is in a different position this time and so is muffling the sensation - DD1 had an anterior placenta (placenta at the front of the womb) and it wasn't until around 20 weeks that I felt movement.

I didn't feel movement until 19 weeks - it may just be baby's position. Also. The mw might not listen for the hb - around here they don't do it until about 26 weeks. I would explain your concerns to her though.