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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

16 week midwife appt

14 replies

ladyflower23 · 13/10/2014 21:32

I had my 16 week appointment today and was all excited as I thought she would listen for the baby's heartbeat on the doppler (which is what happened on my 16 week appointment with DC1). The appointment came to an end and she hadn't offered so I asked when she would start doing that, and she said at the next appointment. She asked if that was OK and as I have no real reason to suspect there is anything wrong, I felt I could not demand that she do it. Was very disappointed and tearful, as I just find it reassuring and another way to feel connected to my baby, plus remember it being a really lovely moment last time round. Was wondering if things have changed in the last 4 years and this is no longer normal practice, or it varies, or it's just mine. Anyone with recent experience?

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BlueberryWafer · 13/10/2014 21:34

It's because it can still be difficult to find at 16 weeks so they don't want to worry you and also it doesn't tell them a great deal. I had my 16 week appt a couple of weeks ago and wondered the same thing

HorraceTheOtter · 13/10/2014 21:35

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BanglesSpangles · 13/10/2014 21:35

I think it varies from place to place- I didn't with mine- was super disappointed because it seemed like such a long time to wait between the 12 and 20 week scans to be sure everything was still ok in there

Sorehead · 13/10/2014 21:41

My midwife offered to try to find the heartbeat at 16 weeks but said that it can be difficult to find and so a scan wouldn't be offered if she couldn't find it.

As luck would have it, she found it straight away (until baby decided he'd had enough and wriggled away!)

Original poster

ladyflower23 · 13/10/2014 21:42

Yeh, I guess it is a bit of a risk that they won't hear anything and end up making you feel more worried. My last midwife did look nervous when she tried to find it with DC1 at the 16 week appt!! Like you say it is such a long time to wait between the 2 scans. Three weeks to go and hopefully my neurotic mind will be put at rest for 24 hours At least I managed not to cry whilst in the surgery about it!

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Original poster

ladyflower23 · 13/10/2014 21:43

Maybe they were spending a lot on extra scans from not finding it, so it's a cost saving thing?

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WhyOWhyWouldYou · 13/10/2014 22:27

Sometimes they can't find it at that gestation, so they stopped because of panicking women unnecessarily, especially as the NHS doesn't have the funds to scan you, if they dont.

My midwife did at mine but only because I was really worried and was going to pay for a private scan, as DS had jumped onto my stomach and really hurt me. But even then she really emphasised how there was a good chance she wouldn't be able to find the heart beat and asked twice if I was sure that was OK - I told her yes as I'd pay for a scan if she didn't check, so I'd pay for a scan if she did and couldn't find it. As it was baby was absolutely fine and she found heartbeat fairly easily.

It is a long time between 12 &20 weeks though.

amac36 · 13/10/2014 22:55

I had my scan and was told the same, they don't do it routinely anymore, for the reasons above. However, as I'd asked for it the midwife made a note on my file and did it 'at mother's request'. I hoped we'd hear it for piece of mind and it came out loud and clear.

amac36 · 13/10/2014 22:55

Sorry I meant 16 week midwife app.

Peaceloveandbiscuits · 13/10/2014 23:50

I didn't hear the heartbeat until 24 weeks! Everyone asked me if I'd heard it before then, at scans etc, so I was a bit sad that I hadn't, but seems the done thing now!

mrshjb · 14/10/2014 08:42

I didn't get to hear mine at my 16 weeks appointment either, I was so disappointed I was nearly crying. All my friends got to hear theirs and that's been in the last year. I have my 25 week appointment this morning and reeeeeally hoping to hear it then!

jenmcspen · 14/10/2014 09:06

I live in north wales and as it is my first, didn't know what to expect. At 16 weeks my mw offered to listen for heartbeat, said it was nice to bond, but not to be worried if I didn't hear it. I could and it was lovely and I think it is sad if they don't do this in other places anymore. All it needs is a quick conversation to explain how normal not being able to find hb at that stage can be.

EmmaJayne0902 · 14/10/2014 09:31

When I went for my 16week app, I thaught also that midwife would check babas heartbeat, but I was told she would only do this at next app at 28weeks I'm 25week now :). I have a lil girl who's 2 x

Only1scoop · 14/10/2014 09:34

If you are worried at all then I would ask midwife or Gp to check for you.

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