Doppler Advice Needed

[JessicaJones1]

Is it possible to get a BPM reading without hearing the babies heartbeat? My midwife used a doppler and I heard nothing. She admitted she was struggling but said she thought she could hear something in the background and recorded the BPM in my notes.

I'm over 24 weeks and don't feel very reassured. However she wrote the BPM down so it must be possible!

Have your movements been normal?

Do you have an anterior placenta? My midwife was really struggling to hear the baby's heartbeat over the wooshing from the placenta yesterday but eventually the machine picked up the heartbeat for long enough for her to get a reading. I don't think the machine would have taken a reading if it didn't pick up the heartbeat. If it was your heartbeat or the placenta, the reading would have been worryingly low as baby's heart beats so much faster. As PP says, if your movements are normal then don't worry x

I'm 36 weeks and on Wednesday we spent a good 20 minutes trying to get babies heartbeat. My placenta is at the front and baby hates the doppler. If midwife recorded it then if movemebt are ok I'd feel ok. What I keep reminding myself is she had years of training and my pregnancy isn't her first rodeo. If she was concerned shed of referred me to the hospital. Also try to remember on her littke doppler she has a littke screen too that shows her BPM. If your concerned could you ring triage for some reassurance?

I have to say, I'm a midwife and if I didn't hear it, I would not write that down. Its possible she heard it for a very short time and the doppler gave her a bpm reading. However, i prefer to count the beats myself and not rely on the machine. If after trying for a while I couldn't get it, I would ask you to pop to triage so they can double check. If you have normal movements that is reassuring and a more accurate way of knowing your baby is ok. However I think for peace of mind, I would ring your triage.

Yes I do have an anterior placenta and I don't really feel movements as such just the odd flutters which I think are movements. I've felt nothing today at all. I'm not sure what triage is but I called the midwives office for reassurance and they told me not to worry. Easier said than done as I have a diagnosed anxiety disorder and am under consultant care which is why I get seen at least once a week.

Usually we hear the heartbeat loud and clear and it helps me so much. Now I'm feeling really anxious and worried. I want to feel reassured again and I don't know what to do. Should I book in for a private scan and do it that way?

Anxiety is such an awful mental illness and I wouldn't wish it on anyone. I feel like sitting here for days on end worrying isn't good at all. : (

Where are those little flutters when I need them the most?

Oh hun I suffer with anxiety too. Its been to hard having to come off my meds as they weren't safe in pregnancy. Then with this one being a trouble causer too and my hospital being a bit useless I feel for you.

I know I was told with the anterior placenta it's harder to feel movements. The flutters I found were the worst. Contantly "was that baby. Was that gas?" Then I'd feel nothing so go in to the antenatal day unit for them to monitor and me leave feeling rather sheepish. Then she was breech so I only felt movement super lower down almost in my cervix which then I'd be worried "was that her kicking or was it something else?" Finally she turned over and I feel her.

I hope you get your kicks soon and baby gives you a friendly jab. Just try to breathe. Bant is only tiny and quiet easily moved to somewhere with a little more space. I hope you feel baby soon. As for the anxiety side of it. Please try to be kind to yourself. I know its difficult but remember "so far you've survived 100% of your bad days. That's pretty good going" :) lots of love hun.

@JessicaJones1 you have my sympathies as I used to suffer badly from health anxiety. Thankfully (touch wood) apart from a couple of spikes it hasn't been too bad so far (I'm 23+5). Did the midwife yesterday understand about your anxiety?

Triage is the number to ring where they decide whether you need to see someone, and who that is. It is probably called something different in different places, and the midwives office will be much the same (where I am the midwives are only in the office between 9-10am so it wouldn't be much use for immediate reassurance). If you feel you need reassurance then you could call the midwives office and they will be able to explain how the Doppler works in terms of recording the BPM and why you should not be worried by yesterday's appointment, or offer you the assistance you need xx

If you haven't felt movements today, please call the labour ward at your hospital, explain everything and they should tell you where to go today for a check of the heart beat. Please don't wait and don't book a private scan, that is just wasting time!

Sorry OP I wrote that in a bit of a rush. All maternity units have triage units (or can refer you to one that has). They are basically places where you can see a midwife and/or doctor on the day. It is for things like reduced movements, bleeding, abdominal pain etc. Movements are your way of knowing that your baby is well. Any day you perceive the movements to be reduced, you should be seen to get baby checked. You shouldn't wait for the next morning or later in the week etc, it should always be that day (hence not booking and waiting for a private scan).

I can totally relate to you RosieCotton and TinyTerror1. I think the midwives understand about my anxiety. At least, I've tried to make them understand.

I managed to find a midwife that would see me constantlycraving and we heard the heartbeat so all is okay. : )