Maybe odd question: hearing heartbeat with stethoscope?

BabyParker15

When (if ever?) would you be able to hear baby's heartbeat with a stethoscope before you deliver?
My dad passed away last year and was in the medical field forever. I have his stethoscope so I thought it'd be cool to hear baby through it if possible.
I've heard later in pregnancy you can hear it with an ear up to the bump, but as a FTM I'm not sure the accuracy of most things I read. Help?

animalcrckr

My Bradley instructor with my first pregnancy gave everyone a stethoscope to take home.  We tried it several times but had a hard time discerning between my heartbeat and baby's.  I had an anterior placenta but not sure how much that played into it.  

maltwin1

I have zero useful information but I just wanted to say that that sounds like a beautiful idea for a maternity photo. You could frame a photo of you listening for the baby with your dad's stethoscope and put it in your little baby's nursery. It would be a great momento.

BabyParker15

@maltwin1‌ I hadn't even thought of that! Thank you! That's a beautiful idea!!

usmcwife89

Once you're further along into this pregnancy you can hear it with a stethoscope. However it may be hard to decipher your heartbeat from the baby's. I say give it a try

mishka29

My midwife used one later in the pregnancy. Can't remember when though. The photo is a great idea.

thegoodpotato

From what I've seen on "Call the Midwife" I'd say yes (they use little hearing "bells" on that show... kind of a predecessor to a stethoscope?)... Because watching TV is a totally scientific way of conducting research. 

It would be neat to "see" what you hear down the road! 

jk&kiwi

<--Veterinarian. I tried at 12 weeks and didn't hear anything. I think the consensus is somewhere around 16-18 weeks it is possible.....but I assume that's for those experienced with a stethoscope. I think if you're patient with it, you should be able to hear baby as long as you're at least 16-18 weeks. If you don't though, don't panic! It doesn't mean there's something wrong with baby. 

chicagojackie

Baby's heartbeat should be much faster than moms which is the main clue.

anxiousmommy85

In general, with most stethoscopes, it can be as late as 24 to 28 weeks before it's even possible. And it is hard to catch baby the right way to hear the heartbeat. Also, yes, baby's heart rate will sound like a gallop compared to your slow steady woosh.