Safe to hear baby’s heartbeat at 12 week scan?

[JasmineBloom]

I had my NHS 12 week scan recently and at the end the doctor played the heartbeat for us to hear for a few seconds. I didn’t think anything of it at the time but I’ve since seen a few posts saying it’s not recommend to listen to the heartbeat out loud at this stage as it can be dangerous? I’m sure my doctor wouldn’t do anything to cause harm to the pregnancy but I’ve been feeling anxious since. Has anyone heard the heartbeat at this stage and did everything turn out ok?

I know exactly what you're talking about and sorry you've had some obnoxious responses here. At early scans I've always been told by sonographers that they measure the pulse rather than use a Doppler because of the risk of heating fetal tissue when the ultrasound is used in one place. However, this is for early scans not necessarily for the 12 week one x

You’re not going mad OP, our sonographer on the NHS always said they weren’t allowed to let us hear the heartbeat.

It’s disingenuous to suggest that baby’s heartbeat stopped on the day of your scan. There is no way of knowing which exact date baby sadly died. I’m sorry for your loss and understand you’re anxious but there should be a disclaimer here that hearing heartbeats at the 12 week scan is perfectly, perfectly safe.

Some of you really need to check yourselves. It’s not difficult to read the studies to see what the OP is on about. Jesus.

fetalmedicine.org/var/uploads/web/Doppler/Doppler%20Ultrasound%20-%20Safety.pdf

I was also told we couldn't hear the heartbeat early because of heat and risk to the foetus. "using a handheld Doppler for prolonged periods before 16 weeks is discouraged due to heat" x