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Original poster

MW apt 16+5 couldn't find heartbeat with Doppler...

40 replies

Only1scoop · 09/12/2013 18:00

Also I've only really felt the very odd tiny bubble like sensation, nothing I can say is definately movement. Still have horrendous nausea/sickness though all the taste thing also. It's my second baby. Mw has got me in for scan tmrw. Feel a sleepless night. Has anyone any experience of this?
Thank you

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HomeHypno · 09/12/2013 18:21

Maybe your midwife didn't listen in the right place? The baby is really small at 16 weeks and the heartbeat is often found just above your pubic bone rather on top of the bump. Pregnancy symptoms and feeling a flutter sound reassuring. Hope your scan turns out ok x

Tomkat79 · 09/12/2013 19:02

Try not to stress. My MW wasn't very confident about finding a heartbeat at 18 weeks and spent ages looking. The policy here is not to scan if no beat is found so I was praying she would! She eventually found one a lot higher than expected, almost at my belly button. It's likely that your baby lying wrong way.
Try to rest tonight and not freak out, I appreciate easier said than done. Maybe lo will give you a re-assuring flutter xx

Littlebean13 · 09/12/2013 19:04

Try not to worry, it took my midwife quite a while to find my babies hb at my 16week app. Maybe your little one is just in a funny position. I remember reading on here that midwifes sometimes refuse to listen for hb at 16 week app because it's not unusual for them not to be able to find it and it causes mums to be a lot of unnecessary stress. It's a good sign that you've still got pregnancy symptoms. Wishing you luck for tomorrow, as hard as it sounds try not to worry too much xx

PastaBeeandCheese · 09/12/2013 19:08

Hope it goes well tomorrow but for what it is worth I'm sure guidelines say not to try and listen for the heartbeat before about 20 weeks as it is so hard to find and causes so much distress to parents when it can't be found.

Indith · 09/12/2013 19:08

plenty of trusts have a policy not to even listen in until after 20 weeks because the hb is so hard to get at 16 weeks and trying to find it and failing causes so much stress for mothers.

Try not to worry. It is really days for both hb and movements. All the best for your scan tomorrow. I hope you get some reassurance from it.

PastaBeeandCheese · 09/12/2013 19:08

X post!

17leftfeet · 09/12/2013 19:09

I didn't get more than flutters/bubbles with either of mine until 18 weeks

Try to get some sleep tonight and fingers crossed for your scan

Confitdecanard · 09/12/2013 19:15

My midwife couldn't find a heartbeat at 16 weeks either. She said it happens sometimes and that was that. No scan until 20 weeks when baby was fine. Fingers crossed everything is ok for you too.

thecakeisalie · 09/12/2013 19:24

I had the same experience of midwife not being able to find the heartbeat at 16 weeks. I then had my scan at 20 weeks and baby was fine. Midwife appt at 20, 22 and 24 weeks and she found the heartbeat quite quickly. Good luck for tomorrow.

lilyaldrin · 09/12/2013 19:26

Midwives aren't really supposed to try to find a heartbeat at 16 weeks anymore for just this reason - it isn't easy to find and causes unnecessary worry.

Original poster
Only1scoop · 09/12/2013 19:42

Thanks so much for all the shared experiences and info....it has certainly made me feel so much more positive. I'm kind of thinking I possibly wouldn't still have such strong symptoms if the worst had happened. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. Thanks again everyone x

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PenguinsDontEatPancakes · 09/12/2013 19:46

I agree with others, this is precisely why they weren't allowed to do it at 16 weeks (even if asked to by the mother) in my old area (don't know about this one as I didn't have an apt at that stage for various reasons).

Also, 16 weeks is early for movements. I have had an anterior placenta with DD2 and this pregnancy and both times it has taken until 20 weeks to feel movement. I'm nearly 21 and it's only in the last few days it has been definite.

Hope all goes well tomorrow.

Mildpanic · 09/12/2013 19:58

Please try not to worry. I had this with my dd at 16 weeks and I had been in a minor car crash the day before so was beside myself.
I remember with my ds I went to the midwife at 19 weeks as just didn't feel pregnant and was sure something was wrong.
It is a really funny time, pregnant but nothing concrete yet. You will be fine, keep with it.

Featherbag · 09/12/2013 20:02

They won't listen for hb here before 20w for exactly this reason - and with my DS2 I didn't get definite movement until 21w!

BettyMacdonald · 09/12/2013 20:07

16 weeks is mega early to be listening for a heart beat! I've got 3 DCs and no one ever tried to listen that early. I also didn't feel any of them move until 18 - 20 weeks. This may have been down to the position of the placenta or possibly due to my not very svelte figure.... I hope you get some sleep. Please let us know how you get on Grin

Notfastmainlyfurious · 09/12/2013 20:12

Echoing all of the above, mw here won't even attempt to find a heartbeat at the 16 week (and I desperately wanted her to) also only felt the bubbles at about 17 weeks so if you're feeling that now you're going well. Try not to worry.

Irishmammybread · 09/12/2013 20:18

Do you know what position your placenta is?
I had a private scan just before 16 weeks (I've had a series of miscarriages and it felt too long to wait from my 12 week scan to my 20 week one!). The sonographer mentioned my placenta is anterior,so it cushions the front of my abdomen making it more difficult to feel baby's movements. Anything I do feel so far has tended to be quite low down, I presume below the placenta.
I was able to mention this to the midwife at my 16 week appointment and though she did eventually find a heartbeat she struggled , the location of placenta making it difficult.
I have an angel sounds doppler but I scared myself one evening not being able to find a heart beat (when the scan subsequently confirmed everything was fine) so I've put it away!
I'm sure everthing will be fine for you, but I know how hard it is not to worry x

Original poster
Only1scoop · 09/12/2013 20:26

Irishmammy....I had a private scan/nuchal at 12+6 and after reading your reply I've just had another look through the paperwork.
Next to placenta it says "posterior low"
I was also alarmed when they scanned me to to see a fibroid. On paperwork it says this is on anterior wall and gives measurements.

Maybe the above could attribute and thanks so much for your info x

OP posts:
wifey6 · 09/12/2013 21:51

I am sure all is well & baby is, as many have said, low down & as still very small, hiding very well.
Our local MW unit do check heartbeat at routine 16 week check-up, however, my friend told me her MW refused to do theirs til 20+ weeks as if heartbeat wasn't detected it would cause unnecessary anxiety.

Original poster
Only1scoop · 10/12/2013 13:41

Thanks for support on this thread ladies. Just to confirm it wasn't good news our baby stopped growing around 16 wks. I find MNers very knowledgable and supportive during the good and indeed bad so thanks again x

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Spaghettinetti · 10/12/2013 13:45

My midwife didn't even bother at 16 weeks! She said it was too early and she didn't want to worry me if she couldn't find one!

Spaghettinetti · 10/12/2013 13:47

Oh bugger. I didn't see your last post only1. I'm so sorry :-( Big hugs. I'm so sorry to hear it was bad news. Xx

Pinkbell123 · 10/12/2013 13:47

Scoop I'm so sorry to hear that. Take care of yourselves, thinking of youThanks

SaucyJack · 10/12/2013 13:57

So very very sorry. Take care xxx

Angloamerican · 10/12/2013 13:57

I'm so sorry. Take good care of yourself.

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