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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Midwife couldn't find heartbeat - stressed myself out now

46 replies

OopsImDoingItAgain · 19/03/2022 15:04

Midwife came today (I'm nearly 17 weeks) and I said my sickness vanished a few weeks ago, I have no bump, no symptoms really not feeling pregnant at all and that I've been having slight cramps so I'm a bit worried. She said all normal for this stage and try not to panic. I asked if she'd check the heartbeat and she said she shouldn't as it can cause anxiety if they can't find it, insisted I would be fine and would be good to know all is well, she said there was a good chance as I'm very slim but unfortunately she couldn't find it. She reassured me that it's likely absolutely fine just early but did offer me a scan on Monday if I was worried, I felt guilty as she wasn't even meant to check it, my 20 week scan is in 23 days, I thought I can sit tight so I said don't worry just thank you for trying.

I've been stressed ever since! My last pregnancy I was quite unwell but I felt very pregnant throughout so I've just been feeling a bit unnerved with how well I've felt and really wish I hadn't asked her to do this now. I know I have an anterior placenta which can cause issues so I feel I've self inflicted a lot of worry on myself. I keep going to text and ask for the scan on Monday after all.. anyone had this?

OP posts:

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ComeMyDarlingHomeward · 19/03/2022 15:08

I would ask for the scan OP. You are going to be worried otherwise. I hope all is well - I'm sure it is.

danni0509 · 19/03/2022 15:19

Have the scan to ease your mind. You’ll spend the next 3 weeks driving yourself nuts if you don’t.

I’m sure everything will be ok x

thunderonlyhappenswhenits · 19/03/2022 15:25

I think you should have the scan aswell, you're going to torture yourself otherwise and it'll be a very long 3 weeks

thunderonlyhappenswhenits · 19/03/2022 15:26

Out of interest how long did she try for ? It took a midwife over 5 mins to find the heartbeat when I was 16 weeks in my last pregnancy

LittleMisfortune · 19/03/2022 15:26

What about a private scan? That way you'll know and can get one sooner so you're not driving yourself mad for 3 weeks - stress isn't good in pregnancy either.

Winkydink · 19/03/2022 15:29

Go for the scan on Monday. I’ve been it the situation at the hospital where the midwife couldn’t find heartbeat, pressed the big red button and someone else came running in…only to find it with extreme poking and prodding! Turned out I had breach baby with anterior placenta and a funny shaped uterus. All combined meant heartbeat hard to find. Hope all well on Monday - you’re still very early.

Original poster

OopsImDoingItAgain · 19/03/2022 16:13

Ok will message and ask for the scan. I don't know why I said no I just felt guilty but yes stressing since definitely..

OP posts:

Dipsydoodlenoodle · 19/03/2022 16:40

What was she looking for the heartbeat with?

Some things aren't very good until further along

Dryshampooandcoffee · 19/03/2022 20:28

In our hospital if the midwife can’t find the heart beat beyond 16 weeks then you are seen at the assessment unit, normally on the same day, otherwise women are left at home worrying. Is there a service like that you could access?

Wednesdayafternoon · 19/03/2022 20:32

I posted many times on here when o was pregnant with my youngest as I didn't feel pregnant. Turns out I was just fortunate! He's currently snoozing on my lap!
Whatever you need to do to settle your nerves, do it. If it's have the scan, if it's having the scan and a private scan again, then do it. You don't need the stress.
I'm sure everything will be ok. With both of mine they always stressed that at 16 weeks the heartbeat wasn't garunteed. I'm sure if she was truest worried she would've referred you immediately!
Sending lots of love to you xx

GinnyBee · 19/03/2022 20:33

My midwife checked the heartbeat at my 16 week appointment as routine. They should be able to find it by now. Go for the scan, there's no point sitting in a pile of anxiety for three weeks, that's not healthy for the pregnancy either!

QuiltedHippo · 19/03/2022 20:36

Hope you can get the scan, I ended up going to the hospital midwives in a similar situation before my 20 week scan - zero bump, symptoms, kicks and some cramps. Even there it took a very long time to find the heartbeat, thats the reason they dont tend to offer a heartbeat check at your 16 week midwife appointment - so common not to find it. I'm sure everything will also be find for you but hope you can get some peace of mind

Original poster

OopsImDoingItAgain · 19/03/2022 20:38

@GinnyBee

Oh god really I thought it was quite common to not hear it this early

OP posts:

Original poster

OopsImDoingItAgain · 19/03/2022 20:38

@QuiltedHippo

Ok good saw this since I replied to the other.. thank you I'm glad it was okay in your case. Fingers crossed it's the same here.

OP posts:

Starlightstarbright1 · 19/03/2022 20:43

Yes take the scan however.

Just a story to reassure you.i had a 20 week scan but was admitted due to dehydration..
It took hw about 20 minutes to find my ds's heartbeat. She was getting worried ,said she would get mobile sca up if she couldn't find it. Then there it was. So 3 weeks further along.

MsWalterMitty · 19/03/2022 20:51

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Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

StampOnTheGround · 19/03/2022 21:58

In my area they don't offer it at 16 weeks because there's a good chance they won't be able to find it!

Backtothefutureagain · 19/03/2022 22:02

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peboh · 19/03/2022 22:06

Its very 50/50 as to wether they can find the heartbeat at this stage. Baby could be tucked up in a position that they can't find it.
PP saying they should be able to find it at this stage is talking through their arse. Most midwife's won't check at this appointment, due to the fact that they won't necessarily find it. However if you're concerned, then I'd take up the scan she offered you.

Iliketeaagain · 19/03/2022 22:09

@StampOnTheGround

In my area they don't offer it at 16 weeks because there's a good chance they won't be able to find it!

I was going to say similar. It was a few years ago, but I remember at my 16 week appointment, the midwife offered to try to find a heartbeat, but made it very clear that it was common not to find it with the Doppler that early and they didn't offer a scan if they couldn't find it, because ir was hit and miss as the baby was small and it would depend on them being in the exact right position / not wriggling all over the place.

Go for the scan, because you've been offered it, but try not too get over-anxious.

Ellie5341 · 19/03/2022 22:21

Push for the scan- don't feel bad.

I have heard of babies not being heard like this and it's only because of the placenta/ baby's position/ mums weight.

Hope all is ok.

GinnyBee · 20/03/2022 07:21

@peboh

Its very 50/50 as to wether they can find the heartbeat at this stage. Baby could be tucked up in a position that they can't find it. PP saying they should be able to find it at this stage is talking through their arse. Most midwife's won't check at this appointment, due to the fact that they won't necessarily find it. However if you're concerned, then I'd take up the scan she offered you.

I'm not talking out my arse at all, just my experience. 🤷‍♀️ They do it as routine in my area, and also in my home country they listen with a doppler even earlier. I don't see why in the UK it should be so difficult.

QuebecBagnet · 20/03/2022 07:26

It’s actually national guidelines in the U.K. that the heartbeat should not be checked as routine. Which is why midwives are reluctant to try. Partly because of issues like the OP is facing but also because as a routine measure it’s of no clinical benefit. Women (especially later on) should be encouraged to focus on movement instead and there’s actually evidence showing that women are less likely to seek help over reduced movements if they recently heard a heartbeat.

GinnyBee · 20/03/2022 07:31

I understand that's only really for later on, but at 16 weeks only a minority will be feeling any movements yet. When my due group started having their 16 week appointments near enough everyone was gushing about being so excited to hear the heartbeat for the first time. So it doesn't seem uncommon.

EatsShoootsAndLeaves · 20/03/2022 07:32

Go for the scan. At my littlest's 16wk appt the midwife couldn't find a heartbeat, I had a drink of water, went for a walk and still nothing. Was sent to EPU where they found him behind an anterior placenta, apparently that can make things a lot more difficult, he's almost seven now, hope you get good news really soon OP.

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