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Original poster

When did you hear baby’s heartbeat?

31 replies

redxlondon · 12/08/2023 06:45

I just had my 12 weeks scan but only realised when I got home that she showed me the heartbeat on screen but I didn’t get to listen to it. Did anyone else experience this?

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Steamedhams · 12/08/2023 07:18

They don't always do the heartbeat at the 12w scan as sometimes it's hard to detect. I think the next MW appointment they get the doppler out though so you may be able to hear it then. Such a lovely sound 🥰

Changedmynameforthis55 · 12/08/2023 07:19

I'm 39 weeks and haven't heard the baby's heartbeat

pecanpie101 · 12/08/2023 07:27

It's normally at 16 weeks with your midwife

Sunshineclouds11 · 12/08/2023 07:28

16 weeks at mw

PickledScrump · 12/08/2023 07:34

They’ve never done it a scan where I am. It used to be with the midwife at 16 weeks but I think it’s now put back to 24 weeks as standard although my midwife still does it at 16 week.

afinethingindeed · 12/08/2023 07:55

Not until 24 weeks for me, both times.

mumtotwox · 12/08/2023 08:10

16 weeks

Summer2424 · 12/08/2023 08:19

Hi @redxlondon
16 week appt with the midwife, it was an amazing moment xx

DaisyAndDonaldDuck · 12/08/2023 08:21

16 weeks, but not all trusts offer it.

They also won’t offer it if they feel it could make you anxious, so if they get that sort of a sense then you won’t get to hear it (I was offered it both times but my friend wasn’t and my midwife said this is why).

Sagittarius25 · 12/08/2023 08:48

16 week appointment with midwife. Although I think the guidelines in my area is 25 week appointment (for first baby) but she was confident she could find it and it was my choice. Anyway, she found it easily.

shivawn · 12/08/2023 08:52

I can't really remember if I heard it at the 12 week scan to be honest. Definitely did at my midwife appointment at 15 weeks, then the 20 week scan and have at all subsequent midwife and GP appointments.

Allthegoodusernamesareused · 12/08/2023 08:53

With my first DD, 16 week MW appointment.

With my 2nd DD, Midwife tried at 15 weeks and couldn't find it - which, as I have a history of missed miscarriage, sent me into a panic and resulted in a loooong night in a&e. Thankfully, all was well.

She didn't try again until after 20 week scan.

Mummy08m · 12/08/2023 08:54

Seeing it on the scan is more convincing than hearing it anyway - hearing it on the midwife's doppler, it's so rustly and there's the backdrop of your own heartbeat and your tummy gurgles, it's really not as delightful as you might expect

cat234 · 12/08/2023 09:13

My Midwife didn’t listen to it at my 16 week appt, will be apparently at my one next week (25weeks).

I was told they have stopped listening at 16 weeks (although it sounds like this is area dependent), as they sometimes struggle to find it, depending on how baby is lying, placenta position etc. which understandably worries people.

lifesnotaspectatorsport · 12/08/2023 09:24

I was very lucky, heard all my kids' heartbeats at 7-8 weeks. Magical. I live abroad though, I know it's not the norm in the U.K.

scarceiron · 12/08/2023 09:37

I heard mine at both the 12 week scan and 16 week appt - didn’t realise this was unusual!

husbandcallsmepickle · 14/08/2023 15:19

scarceiron · 12/08/2023 09:37

I heard mine at both the 12 week scan and 16 week appt - didn’t realise this was unusual!

Are you in the UK? Was it done by a sonographer or a midwife? My ultrasounds were always done by a sonographer (or radiographer)
Like PP, I heard DS's heartbeat at my 16week midwife appointment with a Doppler.

Cowlover89 · 14/08/2023 16:59

12 weeks

Cowlover89 · 14/08/2023 16:59

And again at 16 weeks

FlyingHighFlyingLow · 14/08/2023 17:28

Same, 16 week midwife appointment for me with the doppler!

Even then it can be quite difficult as still so small, took midwife a couple mins to find mine. I was told not to worry if they couldn't find as still early, some areas don't do it anymore. The more tissue there is to get through the harder it can be so if you carry a bit of extra weight on the stomach area it can make it harder to find.

I've had 4 NHS scans now and a private one and never heard heartbeat on a scan, only ever doppler at midwife appointment or triage.

Cowlover89 · 14/08/2023 18:09

It was at the 12 week scan I heard the heartbeat. Went in had bad cramps and they scanned me and let me have a listen

Cowlover89 · 14/08/2023 18:09

Not the official 12 week scan*

scarceiron · 14/08/2023 21:12

@husbandcallsmepickle yes, in the UK. It was the first thing the sonographer did at the 12 week scan (which was magic to then see the image too!) and then by the midwife at 16 week appt.

CR7 · 14/08/2023 21:14

10 week private scan when I did my NIPT

Whydoifeellikeaneel · 14/08/2023 21:16

I live abroad and was told that they don't do it anymore as the process generates too much heat. I saw the heartbeat on the screen but didn't hear it.