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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 appointment

44 replies

Burtiebojangles · 17/12/2018 17:41

Did the midwife check your baby’s heartbeat at the 16 week appointment?

I know every area is different but I’ve read different things that sometimes they do but also that they shouldn’t until you’re much further along because of new guidelines.

I’ve got my appointment in the morning and just curious as to what to expect. 😊

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DryHeave · 17/12/2018 17:42

Mine checked heartbeat with a Doppler. That was in 2017.

Iswallowtoothpaste · 17/12/2018 17:44

Mine checked at 15 weeks last week. She did say that she would only do it if I was certain that I wouldn’t panic if we didn’t find it (which is normal for this stage) were in North Yorkshire.

Stephisaur · 17/12/2018 17:44

She would have done, but I ended up in hospital that same morning for an emergency scan so we both decided that there wasn’t much point!

That was in July this year.

Zebrasinpyjamas · 17/12/2018 17:44

Mine did but only if I confirmed that I understood it's not always possible to locate it and it didn't mean there was a problem, ie they wouldn't be referring me for extra scans etc. She said if I wasn't willing to accept that risk she wouldn't do it. Luckily she did find it.

Celebelly · 17/12/2018 17:46

Mine didn't –only from 24 weeks onwards. I'm in north-east Scotland. I think it still very much varies by individual trust area.

needanappp · 17/12/2018 17:46

With DS yes. Currently pregnant with DD in a different trust and they didn't look for the heartbeat until 24 weeks.

I hope they have a look for you because it really is the most boring appointment in the whole of pregnancy otherwise

xJune88 · 17/12/2018 17:48

Mine did, yorkshire x

firsttimebabybirther · 17/12/2018 17:51

I was admitted in hospital so had my 16 "appointment" there, I was actually only 15 weeks and they checked heartbeat but did warn me it may be too early to find it so not to worry if she couldn't. You could always ask.

Original poster

Burtiebojangles · 17/12/2018 17:51

Thanks everyone. That’s my worry that they won’t find it. I’ll only be 14+6 tomorrow and if my scan is anything to go by, my baby doesn’t play by the rules.

I had a MMC in July detected at the 12 week scan so this is the first first-time appointment, so to speak, of this pregnancy so I’m a bit nervous of the unknown and the what ifs.

OP posts:

Orlande · 17/12/2018 17:52

At mine she tried to, failed to find it, then sent us to the hospital for a stressful and unnecessary scan.

mortifiedmama · 17/12/2018 17:58

needanappp I thought I was the only one who thought that!

OP last time they did for me. This time I skipped it as it was so boring and unnecessary last time!

Orangedaisy · 17/12/2018 18:02

Mine refused to check for it as I thought I was a bit less than 16 weeks. I went back 2 weeks later. She was probably right as I would have panicked if she hadn’t found it but it upset me as I had been hoping for reassurance. By the next appointment I had definite movement though (2nd baby so was sure!) so I was already reassured!

Mikewazowskismrs · 17/12/2018 18:11

I had mine on Friday and was told they don’t do it until the next appt.

I’m in Glasgow

Scottay · 17/12/2018 18:21

I was nearly 19 weeks by time I got my 16 weeks app and she still wouldn't check but I'm unsure if if was a trust thing or because she seemed really inexperienced

SoyDora · 17/12/2018 18:22

Mine didn’t. They check at 24 weeks. At the trust I was with for DD1 the midwives don’t check the heartbeat at all, at any appointment.

Lovewinemorethanhusband · 17/12/2018 20:07

I'm in Devon and had the heartbeat check at 15+4 for my 16 week appointment I was shocked as didn't have that on either previous 16 week checks was nice to hear though

captainshortie · 17/12/2018 20:29

They did at mine but a girl I work with (cpl of weeks behind me) said they didnt at hers. And she only lives an hour away from me... so really varies on the area.

JustMe18 · 18/12/2018 12:13

@Burtiebojangles I had my 16 week appointment last week and my MW did the heartbeat 💗

Bitchfromhell · 18/12/2018 12:16

Mine did but she warned me that she might not find it and said she wouldn't try if I was going to get upset. As it turned it she found it straight away.

AnneLovesGilbert · 18/12/2018 12:18

I had mine 12 weeks ago and they did. She said they do it at every appointment.

GemmeFatale · 18/12/2018 12:20

Mine is this week, but because I’m not low risk I had an appointment at 14 weeks at which a very scared looking student looked for (and found) the heartbeat.

Notquiteagandt · 18/12/2018 12:23

Mine did but on the instruction that if she didnt hear it she wouldnt be acting upon it.

KatnissMellark · 18/12/2018 12:26

Mine didn't, thank goodness. I'd have pooped myself if she couldnt find it- had a very stressful and complicated pregnancy though.

cowchickenduckdog · 18/12/2018 12:30

I had my 16 week check last week and I did have it done. This was in Basingstoke. Was pretty amazing! xx

Teladi · 18/12/2018 12:35

They don't check in my area at that appointment as a general policy. It's done at a later appointment.

BUT my midwife offered -she said that as long as I understood that she might not find it and nothing would be done if she didn't, she would check. And there it was . This is my second baby and I'm not sure she would do it for everyone.

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