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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

14+4 and mw had trouble finding heartbeat today!

12 replies

messylittlemonkey · 30/09/2009 18:38

Hi there

Any reassurance would be gratefully received.

I'm 14+4 with my 2nd DC and had cause to see my mw for an unscheduled appt today. The reason for this was that I fainted briefly yesterday and had funny spell the day before. Anyway, that all seems to be part and parcel of pregnancy, but mw saw me today to check BP (fine) and said she would listen to baby's hb whilst I was there. Well, she basically struggled for a few minutes to find it and eventually said she was pretty sure that she heard 4 beats before it moved again. She said she was reassured that she could hear lots of movements though. Apparently, at 14 weeks it can be hit and miss as to wether or not it can be found as the fetus can be quite well hidden, the placenta can be in the way (as I know is the case with me) or it's just moving too much.

Anyway, I know I'm fretting unecessarily but need words of comfort! I had my dating scan 12 days ago btw and all was fine and I have no reason to think that there is a problem!

Witter, witter...

Thanks in advance!
MLM

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sleepwhenidie · 30/09/2009 18:40

I think even at around 16 weeks it can be difficult to hear the heartbeat with a sonicaid (and I think some midwives won't try before then for fear of worrying mums!), I am sure everything is fine, especially if she could hear baby moving .

ohnelly · 30/09/2009 18:49

Hi I think it is usual that a MW cannot hear a heartbeat before about 16weeks, as they are so small. My midwife tried at 12 weeks and found nothing at all, but told me not to panic! I had my scan few days later and all was well. (Also my 2nd)Im 14 weeks now, but am more worried this time than I was the first time - for no particular reason. Maybe we know more about it this time, and more about what can go wrong?
I just tell myself im past that 12 week stage, so the likelyhood of things going wrong is less. Good luck!

Original poster

messylittlemonkey · 30/09/2009 18:58

Thanks I know you're right!

I am sooo much more anxious this time round than I was with my first. Was quite blase in fact last time round! Never occurred to me that anything could go wrong. Now, I'm fretting over everything. My other 'worry' right now is that I have the triple blood test next week and I have myself convinced that it will come back as high risk.

Am I giving the impression of being totally neurotic?!!

MLM

OP posts:

ohnelly · 30/09/2009 19:03

Same here MLM last time I didnt even bother having the blood tests at all but I am definately having them this time (was fine first time btw). Its not just me you then!

sambo2 · 30/09/2009 19:30

With my DS the MW couldn't find the heart beat at 15+2. I was beside myself and bless her, she said she would come back to the clinic on the Bank holiday weekend, 3 days later to listen again. Sure enough, heart beat was found! Apparently, if they are still quite low in the pelvis, it is really hard to detect. Please don't worry

sazlocks · 30/09/2009 19:35

I went to see my MW at 22 weeks and she said that their policy is not to try and find the heartbeat until 24 ish weeks as it can cause unecessary distress to the mother if it can't be heard.

alana39 · 01/10/2009 10:03

Policy where I live is they don't even try until 16 weeks - mine found HB then, but had a later appointment (maybe 24 weeks?) where it took several minutes and then the little darling moved immediately and it was gone. Was alarming to say the least but even at that stage they can lodge themselves very low down and make it harder to find. Perfectly natural to worry about everything, you don't sound neurotic in the least just normal

AitchTwoToTangOh · 01/10/2009 10:06

you're getting too hung up on the heartbeat. when the baby comes out and you see it moving around in front of you, you're not going to be getting the stethoscope out to check the heartbeat, are you?

what you have there is a live, wriggly baby. what more could finding the hb have told you?

echops · 01/10/2009 10:32

My midwife had trouble finding the heartbeat at 16 weeks (took about 4 minutes and scared me to bits). However, when I saw her again yesterday (18 weeks) she found the heartbeat straight away. Try not to worry and put it down to just been too early.

lola0109 · 01/10/2009 12:34

My sister is studying midwifery at the moment and was excited about bringing a new "toy" home and asked if she could try find the heartbeat, i'm 14 + 4. My mum, also a midwife, wouldn't even let her take it out the box as she said that the chances or her even detecting heartbeat herself were small so no need to panic me unneccesarily.

My sister is now on a mission to find someone 20+ weeks.

No need to worry.

spicemonster · 01/10/2009 12:40

A wanker misguided A&E doctor told me that my baby had died when he couldn't find a heartbeat at 15 weeks after I had huge blood loss. That baby is now a strapping 2 1/2 year old. It is very, very difficult for them to find the heartbeat at that stage and it doesn't mean anything at all

Original poster

messylittlemonkey · 01/10/2009 15:31

Thanks for all the words of wisdom.

I've calmed right down today and not worried now, partly thanks to reassurance on here, partly due to not having enough energy to fret anymore!

MLM

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