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Pregnancy

Do they check the heartbeat at the booking-in appt?

11 replies

PinkMartini · 27/08/2007 09:33

I'm ten weeks today and my booking in appt is tomorrow, scan isn't for another fortnight.
Just wondering what happens really.
TIA

OP posts:

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DaisyMOO · 27/08/2007 09:38

Some midwives will, some won't. It's quite possible that they won't be able to find it at this stage and may not want to try in case you're worried by that. Most of the appointment is getting medical history from you and giving you information on what to eat/not to eat, talk about where to give birth, feeding choices etc. Hope it goes well.

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harleyd · 27/08/2007 09:40

occasionally they will be able to pick up the sound at this stage but dont be disheartened if they cant, i was nearly 14weeks with my last one before they picked the sound up. they will take your bp and bloods.

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Feedmenow · 27/08/2007 11:08

I booked last week and was told they wouldn't listen for/hear h/beat til about 14 weeks......

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MuffinMclay · 27/08/2007 12:54

MWs won't do it until 16 weeks here. I heard and saw it on my 12 week dating scan though, and at the nuchal fold scan.

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Gemy · 27/08/2007 13:10

Never did with me. More taking down medical history, which hospital you'd like to give birth in, check yout weight and blood pressure. They may well give you blood tests at you booking in appt for be ready for that and also they'll tell you about future tests/scans you'll have and what they are for. Oh, and if you haven't already, you'll get a kind of "pack" with loads of pregnancy info I.E magazines, information book, breastfeeding etc.

Mostly just a chance for you to be given all info and to ask questions. Mine took about 45 mins but then she did do the blood tests too.

I saw the baby's heartbeat at my nuchal fold scans and then I think I saw MW at about 18 weeks and then she did listen to the heartbeat and measure my bump to see how the baby was growing.

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ja9 · 27/08/2007 13:15

They listen for the heartbeat from 16 weeks here. 12wks too early.

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SlightlyMadShockwave · 27/08/2007 13:16

MW here just take medical history and check wee (take a sample) and BP. The old nicer MW used to feel your tummy - but said they would only be able to feel anything if it was twins. New MW doesn't even do that.

Here they don't check for heartbeat until 14-16wks, and even at that stage they warn against the possibility that it won't be heard with a sonicaid.

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SlightlyMadShockwave · 27/08/2007 13:17

Oh - yes unless you haev had bloods already they are likely to be taken by MW.

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karenLouise · 28/08/2007 10:37

I did get to hear my babies heartbeat at my booking appointment but I didn't see my midwife until I was 13 weeks and she thought I could be a couple of weeks further on - the dating scan proved I wasn't. but I don't know if she would've tried otherwise.

This is my first MN post I've been reading the pages for a few weeks but only just plucked up the courage to contribute.

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LackingNicknameInspiration · 28/08/2007 11:51

Like KarenLouise, I didn't have my booking in appointment until a bit later (15 weeks, in fact) and the MW did listen to the heartbeat but did say that they didn't normally do that until the 16 week appointment as they couldn't usually find it (as I had to wait so long for booking-in appointment though, I didn't have a 16-week appointment - bit pointless the following week!)

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PinkMartini · 28/08/2007 20:36

Welcome KarenLouise
I went today, and didn't get the opportunity to ask to hear the heartbeat - was so overwhelmed with info.
It was really good though and starting to "feel" pregnant now