15+4 week Doppler

[bri7ney]

Hi

I had my 16 week appointment today and asked the midwife to check heart beat with a Doppler, she did say that they don't normally check heartbeat until at least 20 weeks as it's quite hard to find but she would look anyway.

She couldn't find a heart beat but said she wasn't concerned at all and not to panic as I am only 15+4 weeks but I can't help but worry.

Has any one had any difficulty finding a heartbeat at 15/16 weeks with a Doppler?

Thanks

I am really worried and have to wait until 14th April for my 20 week scan. Really need some reassurance.

This is precisely why they don’t check, they are so tiny in there it’s hard to locate. Try to be kind to yourself and maybe think unless you have reason to believe there is something wrong then it’s all going well in there. Else, a private scan.

This is why they shouldn’t check that early on- my 16 week appointment they could find it but I had had an appointment 2 weeks before that and the midwife had also looked then and couldn’t find anything so I understand the panic, I ended up getting a private scan for reassurance.

I’m sure everything is okay, it just depends on babies position when they are that small!!

The midwife should have refused you IMO. This is why they don't do it this early and why there is a movement to ban home Doppler's because all it causes is stress and unnecessary worry.
Try not to worry op, its perfectly normal to not be able to hear a heartbeat at this stage. As pp said there is always the option of a private scan to reassure yourself.
I take it that this is your first baby op

My midwife checked and sent me to the hospital, she explained that they don't usually but she wanted to (tests from booking appointment we're all ok so I don't know why!) and she cut our appointment short, didn't get to say a word to her or go through anything - not even a urine sample!

Baby was ok, she got us very upset and worried for nothing so if if they didn't here it it doesn't mean the worst.

Thank you for your replies.

I know it's is hard to find as they are so small but find myself panicking as this is my first pregnancy and have had a previous mmc.

I will try not to worry and look into a private scan.

Thanks x

I can't believe she just left you to worry after not finding it!
I would contact her and ask for another appointment because you're now feeling anxious and worried.
I guess it just depends on your mw though. Mine is really good for getting me reassurance appointments whenever ive needed them.
I'm sure you're baby is fine though

That is very early to find a heartbeat, so please try not to worry. If everything looked good at your 12 week scan, the chance of anything going wrong since then is tiny. We ended up booking ourselves a private 16 week scan because we were concerned but we really didn’t need to. I’m sure everything is absolutely fine with your little one.

My midwife attempted to find a heartbeat at my 16 week appointment when I was 15 weeks 5 days, it took her over 20 minutes to find it, then baby moved straight away and she couldn't find it again.

She did say that at that stage there's still so much room for them to hide, and she bet that the placenta was anterior.

At my 20 week scan last week they confirmed anterior placenta, and so Doppler and feeling baby move are a lot harder.

I've had a MMC previously so understand the worry, I booked a private scan for 16 weeks just to put my mind at rest in between the 12 and 20 week scan.
I'm sure everything will be fine

Please try not to worry, although I know that is really hard!

At my 16 week appointment (I was actually a day off 17 weeks) the midwife tried to find the heart beat.

She managed for about 5 seconds til he kicked the Doppler and she couldn’t find it again (and she tried for quite a while) so it is really difficult, sometimes impossible and we knew he was in there somewhere!

I imagine the earlier in your pregnancy as well the more difficult it would be. I’m sure everything is fine, I hope you feel less worried soon

I’m going to go against the grain here (and will probably get a load of hate) but my home Doppler has really helped me with this pregnancy. I had 3 previous miscarriages including a missed miscarriage at 11 weeks. I have used the Doppler most days/every other day since 9.5 weeks and have found the heartbeat every time (it’s taken a while sometimes, especially when early but it’s much easier now, and I also have an anterior placenta). It’s saved my sanity, I was so so anxious about another miscarriage. I will stop using it as soon as I start to feel baby moving, and will NEVER use it for reassurance if movements are reduced, I will ALWAYS call up if concerned. My midwife is okay with this.

Thank you for all of your replies, you have all really helped with some reassurance. I will see how we go and book a private scan if I am still worried. Xx