16 week midwife appointment tomorrow and worried again

[ThorsMistress]

Only me again with yet more worrying

I have my 16 week midwife appointment tomorrow and I’m dreading her not finding a heartbeat Does the worry ever stop?

A lot of midwives won't even listen to the heartbeat at all now as it's not recognised as beneficial as even a heartbeat doesn't mean everything is ok. Don't be surprised if she doesn't offer. I'm 39 weeks and I've never heard the heartbeat in any appointments.

If you are worried however you can always ask for her to listen but don't be alarmed if she doesn't.

I found I only relaxed in pregnancy from 30 weeks when movements were in a consistent pattern and I could really bond. That been said the anxiety then comes back when your term about delivering a healthy baby as everyone seems to take this as a given!

Hang on in there x

I'm not sure she'll be checking for a heart beat so early on, although I gather they do in some areas. The worrying is awful isn't it, I was so relieved after my 12 week scan and then I was absolutely bricking it again before my 20 week scan 🙈

Sorry you’re worrying. Just so you know ahead of time, the midwife may not listen to the heartbeat. The baby is still so tiny at 16 weeks, it’s not always possible to find it and obviously it creates worry if they can’t find it so depending on your area, they may not check. If it would put your mind at ease you could book a private scan? They can often tell you the gender at 16 weeks too.

I think it would be unusual not to worry at all. Does your midwife know about your anxiety?

Thanks all.

They checked the heartbeat at my 16 week appointment with DS although it was 6 years ago now! So whether or not it’s changed?

I’m generally a relaxed person and didn’t feel this much panic whilst pregnant with DS. Might mention it tomorrow.

Hi @ThorsMistress, it's completely natural to worry about appointments. I have my 34 week appointment tomorrow and am worried!

FWIW, they've listened to the heartbeat and every appointment that I've had from 16 weeks. Like you, I was bricking it at 16 weeks, thinking that they wouldn't find something.

Best of luck with your pregnancy

Oh I'm exactly the same, mine is tomorrow although I'm 17+3. I keep reading how much movement others are feeling, and I'm not sure that I can feel anything to be honest- some days I might then maybe go 2-3 days with nothing! DC 3 so thought I'd be feeling it by now. 10 years ago with my first it didn't cross my mind that my positive test might not result in leaving hospital with a healthy baby- the innocence of youth!! Now I'm a wreck before every appointment, and imagine it'll continue till I've delivered this baby! Good luck tomorrow

I had mine yesterday, I was in there a total of 11 minutes. She did a urine test as well as blood pressure and then listened for baby. However baby was doing gymnastics and the kicking was that loud it took her a while to get the heartbeat. I was a bit panicked and she could see that. Jokingly she said ‘Shouldn’t you be asleep baby?!’ It was a lovely sound as I didn’t hear it at 12 weeks. I was extremely anxious in the waiting area beforehand.
Good luck! I hope it goes really well xxx

Just back from my appointment and she found it’s heartbeat straight away! The relief was overwhelming it was beating at 154 bpm and sounded perfect. She said it was kicking away at the Doppler as it kept making funny sounds!