16 week antenatal appt

[Olismuma]

Hi, So I'm really suffering with anxiety this pregnancy and was looking forward to my 16 week check as I was expecting them to look for baby's heartbeat but I was really disappointed for the midwife to abruptly say we don't do that anymore because sometimes we can't find it and it can worry you more :/ she said it hasn't been routine for the last 5 years but I had it with my DS who is 2, so I feel like I've been fobbed off and left to worry more? Anyone experience this?

They didn't listen for the heartbeat until my 25 week appointment. My midwife said they used to do it earlier but stopped as it could be hard to find sometimes. I think it differs between trusts though! X

I had DD2 in September and they didn't listen for a heartbeat at 16 weeks. DD1 has just turned 3 and they did with her so it has changed but I don't think as long ago as 5 years! First heard the heartbeat at 20 weeks scan this time round which I was fine with as I was so anxious at the 16 week check the first time because it took her AGES to find it

Just had my second - same with me, didn’t listen to a heartbeat then

I was anxious though so I got a private 16 week scan.

We don't do it anymore at my trust for the exact reason she gave you. We now listen in at 25 weeks and not before.

I've personally been in the situation where I have been unable to find the FH at 16 weeks and the woman was obviously beside herself. USS at my trust wouldn't scan her as they didn't have the capacity. There was nothing I could do for her and it was awful. Her baby was fine.

It's not worth the stress and auscultation isn't indicated in clinical guidance anyway.

Hope you can find a way to manage your anxiety.

I had my second baby last March and had the heartbeat listened to at the 16 week appointment. I was told that there was a possibility it wouldn't be found quickly, and to try not to worry if it couldn't be found at all.

However, I can imagine it can vary on a trust by trust basis, if not a midwife by midwife basis. Also somewhat understandable if you then have to wait a month after that for the 20 week scan if the heartbeat couldn't be found. A long time to stress and worry.

I've found it varies from MW to MW, not sure what our overall trust stance is. Some have been more than helpful to oblige and others have only done it when I've said that other MW have done it previously for us which got met with mutterings of 'oh they shouldn't have done that' but then not given a reason why or why not.

Get a support referral in OP for the perinatal mental health team too. I asked for it very early doors and have found it really helpful so far with my anxiety as it's amplified during my pregnancy. ✨ 💖

@Olismuma my 16 week apt was such and anticlimax. They didn’t listen to heartbeat, measure my weight / blood pressure etc. didn’t take bloods saying I was still struggling to get through the day with the exhaustion and could I be tested again to see if I was anaemic. She just checked when my next apts were and asked me if I had any questions (which I asked and which she then didn’t answer very well!)

its clear that it’s very light touch unless
you’re high risk which makes total sense given the nhs has limited resources but I can’t help but feel very alone as im
going through my first pregnancy

I’ve been that person at 16 weeks where the midwife couldn’t find the heartbeat (I was closer to 15 weeks). She got another midwife and she couldn’t find it either. Then the doctor. Then a scan. Baby was absolutely fine, just not in the position they were expecting. It was extremely upsetting (especially overhearing the midwife whispering to the doctor “she’s had two miscarriages”). It took me a while to let a midwife listen to the heartbeat with my second. So I think your midwife is right.