Plus size and hearing the HB on a doppler

Mel713

At my last appt the assistant tried to get the HB on a doppler and wasn't able to hear anything.  She said she was surprised but the Dr didn't seem concerned.  I was 10wk and 6days.  I go tomorrow and I'm a little nervous about when they try if they will hear it or not.  Will my size have anything to do with having a harder trying finding it?  When were you able to hear yours on a doppler?

Charlyne

I have a friend who is plus sized and every time she's gone they haven't been able to hear the HB on doppler so they did an u/s to check on the baby and all was well. They said because she was bigger it's sometimes harder to hear. Next time you go if they don't hear it ask for an u/s if they don't automatically do one.

sunnyday016

With DD we tried to hear the heartbeat around 10 weeks and couldn't find it. We found it at 11 weeks though. I am not plus size, but 10 weeks is still on the early side to hear it in an average-weight person.

KRISTA555

I am plus-sized and they didn't have any problems with my last pregnancy.  But it's probably a case-by-case thing. Everyone carries their weight differently/different places.

Now, if they tried to hear a heartbeat through my badonka-donk azz, they'd have some major issues.

baloneydisc

I am plus sized and was concerned about the same thing.  My OB told me it's not unusual to not be able to find the HB on doppler before 12-weeks, but he tried at 9w1d & found it immediately.  He said he thought it was because my uterus tips forward.  The NP found it pretty quickly at my 13w appointment as well.

elisbu

I wore a size 14 when I got pregnant and we heard it 11 weeks with our home doppler. The doc doesnt try till 12/13 weeks so moms dont freak out.

mben1119

10 weeks is early to hear the HB via doppler regardless of your weight.

mandyhall2882

I'm plus size and we were able to hear the heartbeat at my 11 week doctor appointment. You should be able to hear it soon. 

When I used my at-home doppler I couldn't hear the heartbeat until I was about 15 weeks. 

MnMKelly

I am 5'5 and 198 lbs. I'm a chunk, but at 8 weeks my first u/s they found the heartbeat. I cannot find it myself though and that freaks me out, so I've quit trying. I had another appointment at 11 wks 3 days and they found the heartbeat also. I've got quite a gut, but I sorta carry my chub everywhere except my boobs.

ghdst1

I am 5'3'' and prepregnancy weight was 194.  They did check for the hb on doppler at my 9 week appointment and were able to find it.  They found heartbeat for DS at 10 week appointment and I was 197 at that time.

sterfehr

With my DS, they couldnt find the hearbeat at my 12 week appointment, so I got an ultrasound and everything was fine. Then at my 16 week appointment the midwife was able to find it. I do carry a bit extra chub in my belly so maybe that was why.

princessniclyn

I just went in today and I'm about 10 weeks 5 days too...doctor said she would be surprised if we heard anything and we didn't.  She didn't seem too worried so I'm not worried.  My BFF was 10 weeks and heard the HB on the doppler but she is really trim and an athlete so almost no body fat (I still don't know why we are friends!)

secst26

My OB only tried doppler on me (plus sized) once at 11w. She was very patient and told me if we couldn't get it that the u/s tech would fit me in to check on things. After searching for a minute or two we heard it for a few seconds. She was able to get it about 5 more times, enough that we were all convinced all was OK. Again, she was very patient in trying.

LaurdaJean

I'm plus size (5'5" 273lbs) and I went to the dr. at 13 weeks last week and the HB was really faint. When I was 10 weeks they said they wouldn't be able to hear it until 11 weeks. I have an at home doppler and it wasn't until last week that I am now able to pick it up either instantly or within a minute or two. You have to remember the baby is tee tiny right now.

greengirl0909

I'm plus sized and last go round they were usually lucky enough to find the heartbeat. Sometimes it takes extra patience, sometimes they need to push in a little bit on your jiggily parts! GL