a question about heartbeats

alheystek

MIL's friend's daughter was about 7 weeks pregnant, and found out that she hasn't yet, but will be miscarrying her first baby. Friend told MIL that it has been very hard on her daughter because they heard the heartbeat at 4 weeks. I told MIL that I am pretty sure that is impossible.. Especially since my OB won't even bother getting out her doppler until 12 weeks.

I am right, right?

Gina418

You are right.

CA2006

4 weeks seems early even for ultrasound.  They may mean that they had an internal ultrasound and "heard" the heartbeat.  Which is really an image that is made into a sound.

Rubygirl

How do they know she "will be miscarrying?"  Am I reading that right?

Gina418

CA2006:

4 weeks seems early even for ultrasound.  They may mean that they had an internal ultrasound and "heard" the heartbeat.  Which is really an image that is made into a sound.

Even an internal ultrasound would probably show no more than a gestational sac.

Unless the woman had IVF - then the dates might make sense (4 weeks after implantation). 

mrsjenni

The heart doesn't even start beating til right around 6w.

alheystek

Rubygirl:

How do they know she "will be miscarrying?"  Am I reading that right?

I am assuming they did an ultrasound? I am not sure, but I know MIL said her hormone levels were low enough to tell them that she is no longer pregnant.

alheystek

mrs.jenni:

The heart doesn't even start beating til right around 6w.

That is what I thought.

sunrei

My first US before I MC was at 4 weeks and we saw a sac then saw the heartbeat right before 6 weeks (like 5 and 4 o 5 days) which was before I MC. With my son we saw the heartbeat right at 6 weeks. My OB does internal US which allows for a visual of the heatbeat. I didn't hear the heartbeat until 12 wks with a doppler.

Maybe your MIL's friend meant she saw the hearbeat instead of hearing it.

andrealynn0707

She probably means 6 weeks, but doesn't know how to count weeks correctly.