Do they listen to baby's heartbeat at midwife appointment?

[rainbow1982]

Morning all, I'm currently 19 + 3 and am under a consultant at st Mary's hospital following miscarriages. They advised me to contact local midwife to check in with them
Too so I've got an appointment tomorrow at our local sure start centre, the lady on the phone said itd just be classed as the 16 week check. I just wondered if they generally would listen to baby's heartbeat at these appointments? I'm really hoping they do! We have our 20 week scan next week but I'm still not feeling regular movements so I get a bit anxious

Hello! I had the heartbeat checked at my 16 week appointment and am pretty sure that's a general thing.
So sorry you're feeling anxious, it sounds like it's been tough going. I'm 26 weeks now, and only first started feeling tiny movements at 21/22 weeks

I didnt have the heartbeat listened to until after the 20 week scan

They listened to the heartbeat at my 16 week appointment, if you ask they should be able to ☺️

I had it checked for the first time when I was 24 weeks.

I had the heartbeat check at every appointment so far since 7 weeks. Have had 5 scans

I think It depends on the midwife. Most won't listen in at 16 weeks as sometimes it can be hard to find as baby is still too small. Seeing as your not far of 20 weeks though they may listen in for you but most only do it around 24 weeks...
Regarding regular movements you won't really feel them this early.

Mine changed it from 16 weeks to 18 weeks here as they were having trouble finding heartbeats that early and were worrying lots of women unnecessarily. I’m sure they will listen to yours at 19 weeks tho x

The policy in many areas has changed so they will no longer listen to the heartbeat until much later. So it's really region dependent. My midwife did listen at my 16 week appointment last week but she said she only does for some women depending on their size as it's harder to hear the heartbeat if you have a larger tummy.

With DD2 midwife struggled to find heart beat until about 28 weeks due to position of baby and placenta. Luckily I could feel her kicking when she couldn't find it.

She did at mine, but I think it differs from area to area. I didn’t feel regular movements at that stage either though.

If you request it then they should but I don't think it's routine at 16 weeks. It's usually after your scan they start checking heart abs growth.

My area (Yorkshire to be vague) they never listen to the HB at midwife appointments! This is my second & I’m 31 weeks now & not once during either pregnancy have they listened to the HB. I asked once and she said it wasn’t policy as it doesn’t really tell them anything other than the heart is beating at a regular pace. They need to do a proper heart rate/movement monitor over a period of time to pick up any issues etc.

I do get why but I do kinda wish they’d have a listen sometimes! But hey, we’ve made it this far without!

At my 16 week antenatal appointment they did listen to my baby heartbeat but I have read they don't always do this at 16 weeks as it can be tricky to find the heartbeat

Mine didn't start listening to heartbeat until 25 week appointment (based Manchester)

They didn't listen at my 16 weeks, although I think they might have done if I'd asked.

I did, but due to the position, she couldn't pick up the heartbeat, so sent me straight off for a scan. I've had 2 MCs, so was beside myself, but all was fine. It's quite common apparently. I wish I'd known that beforehand!

Hope your appointment goes well.

I have a 2 year old btw, and in that pregnancy all midwives checked for a heartbeat, so it must be policy with that team.

NICE guidelines changed a few years ago and officially they shouldn’t attempt to listen to the heartbeat at 16 weeks. It’s still a bit early to find it reliably and this was causing a lot of unnecessary panic in many cases. Most midwives do still seem to, however. Mine did in my most recent pregnancy but she was absolutely clear that she could not and would not refer me for a scan if she couldn’t find it.