16 week MW app and listening to heartbeat with anterior placenta

[flissity]

Hi Ladies,

Another anterior placenta one. We have our 16wk midwife app Monday. She said at the last appointment that we will be able to hear the heartbeat. If she cannot find it due to the placenta being in the way, what do you think will happen? Will I go back another time for another go? or be sent for a scan?

Thanks

You'll be having your anomaly scan before long anyway so you'll get to see it on the screen soon.

I have an anterior placenta and they found the heartbeat fine. I don’t think you’d be sent for a scan - not all midwives even offer a Doppler heartbeat check at 16 weeks. But don’t worry - I’m sure all will be okay, they found mine easily!

Yes I am aware the 20 scan will be soon, its already booked in.

Well fingers crossed its not to heard to detect!

Hi OP. At my hospital they don't usually do a heart beat check at 16 weeks, as it can be hard to find- anterior placenta or not.

So to avoid stress, they just don't do it.

However during my 16 week appointment I told the midwife I had been experiencing some pain and so she said she wanted to just check if she could hear it. She did hear it and I also have anterior placenta. In my case and situation, she would have sent me for a scan there and then for reassurance.

So, it is possible to hear it at 16 weeks - but it is also sometimes not possible.

I have an anterior placenta and had my 16 week appt on Monday and she found the heart beat easily!

With my first I had an anterior placenta (didn’t find out until 20 weeks) but they found the heart beat fine. Don't know where the placenta is this time time but had my 16w appointment at 17w and they found it immediately

I heard the heartbeats at 16 weeks with an anterior placenta. My midwife just made me promise not to panic if she couldn't get it as it sometimes isnt easy.

In my area, in my first pregnancy back in 2016, they didn’t listen to the HB at any midwife appointment..! I actually asked at a later appointment as I was a bit worried about reduced movement and even then she was reluctant! She said she’d rather send me to the hospital (which she did).

Second pregnancy & no HB check at 16 weeks.. I guess we’ll see at 28 weeks in a couple weeks time!

It seems very unusual for them to send you for an extra scan. I had crippling stomach ache at around 18 weeks last time and went to the EPU. They checked HB and stomach and told me there was nothing they could do and to wait for my 20 week scan unless I started bleeding heavily. I thankfully never did.. never did find out what hurt so badly!

They found mine with a bit of time with an anterior placenta. Baby also kept moving away from them!

I have anterior placenta and my midwife finds baby’s heart beat spot on first time, every time.

The last couple of times it’s not been as loud and clear so I wonder if it’s starting to block the Doppler.. not sure how it works. But it’s always been found. Don’t panic :)

NICE guidelines advise against routine listening of heartbeat at 16 weeks, because it often can’t be found and this can cause a lot of unnecessary worry. Lots of midwives still do it but usually with a clear caveat that you will not be referred for a scan if they can’t find it.

My experience is slightly different. I was more like 15 weeks so wasn’t expecting them to listen. However, she did and couldn’t find it. Another midwife tried too, then the doctor. No joy. They couldn’t understand why baby was sticking out to one side and thought I had a fibroid so sent me for a scan. Baby absolutely fine, it was just my bladder pushing everything up. It was very distressing and I do feel she shouldn’t have tried looking for the heartbeat at that gestation but I had another Doppler at 17 weeks and there were no issues. So essentially don’t worry if they can’t find the heartbeat but if it causes you distress they should really scan you there and then.

Thanks- well I guess I’ll find d out Monday! Guess it’s all down to luck on the day!