Back from 1st appt...need some advice!

LouRN09 · November 2009

Sorry, this is long....

So, my appt was as I expected...went over health history and had 6 vials of blood taken. I was talking to the NP about the schedule and what to expect at my upcoming visits. She said I would get an ultrasound at 20 weeks, and again at 30-something weeks. That surprised me b/c their website said 1 ultrasound each trimester, but she said that was only in certain circumstances. Oh well. Anyhoot, here is my issue. As I was told when I made the appt., I asked if I would get to hear/see the heartbeat at my next appt (I will be 11 weeks 2 days). She said the Doctor typically doesnt like to try and listen for a heartbeat before 12 weeks. She said sometimes the Doc cant pick up a heartbeat before 12 wks and many times everything is okay but momma gets upset....but its just too soon to hear. Which makes sense. She said I may be able to talk the Doctor into trying at my next appt, and promise I wont be upset if we cant hear anything. If this doesnt happen, then I wont get to try again and hear it until my following appt, where I would be 15 weeks.

Another option I have is to pay for an extra ultrasound to see the heartbeat. Most insurance companies dont cover this, and this may run between $200-$400. This would strictly be for peace of mind. However, what if I fork over the money to get this ultrasound done before my next appt, and then the Doc can pick it up on a dopplar?

Just not sure what to do. I am going to call my insurance company to see how much an extra u/s would run to get an idea. But it makes me upset that I could possibly go all the way until 15 weeks before I know there is a beating heart in there. Or, I may get lucky and hear it at 11 wlks 2 days.

I am sorry this is so long....but WWYD? Fork over the money? Beg the Doctor to try at 11 weeks? Wait until 15 weeks?

EricsWife2005 · November 2009

I would ask the Dr. to try at your next appointment, the worse they can say is no. GL!

Qmommy · November 2009

rent or buy a doppler for your home. It'll be cheaper then the extra u/s and you can have your piece of mind of hearing the hb sooner.

EricsWife2005 · November 2009

Also-you can buy a doppler and try to listen to the HB on your own at home.

Mrsalt027 · November 2009

Wow sorry to hear that. I think I would talk to the Dr. and tell him that you were really expecting to hear the heartbeat at the first appointment and express how important it is to you to hear it at the next. I think it's an important part of the whole realization that there is actually a baby inside you. I don't think I would pay the extra money if they said the baby is doing ok health-wise but I would definitely push it for next time.

MWoodside · November 2009

I was able to hear HB at 10 weeks exactly. Dr said that was the early side of possibly being able to hear it. I said "well I'll be really worried if you can't find it" so she said she'd try extra hard & she did. You are paying for an appt so if you want Dr to try I think they should. I'd for sure be freaked out waiting til 15 weeks.

The alternative would be to buy a dopplar on Amazon or some other site & listen to HB yourself. Someone on here said they got it for $70. Cheaper than an u/s.

LouRN09 · November 2009

Never thought about renting a doppler myself...are they easy to use?

Also, we have a doppler at work to help pick up pulses....none of us are really trained to use it on fetal heartbeats though! But, I do have access to a doppler....hhhhmmm.

AbJams · November 2009

I'd ask for the doppler at 11 weeks, if you can truely live with it not working. This might sound really... bad... but the chances of you not knowing if something is wrong by 15 weeks are pretty slim.

tmbbride · November 2009

Shouldn't they be offering you an NT scan? that's the down syndrome marker ultrasound done between 11-13 weeks. I would call back and ask about that. they should have offered that too you..

naturegirl417 · November 2009

It is sooooo hard waiting to have a sign there is really a baby in there. Definitely ask to hear the heartbeat via doppler at your first appointment. I understand the doc's reluctance to try if its not guaranteed for you to hear, but many girls have heard it at or before this time so it is definitely possible. If you can't wait that long or want an u/s, try looking for a separate u/s clinic in your town. They are usually cheaper.

LouRN09 · November 2009

AbJams:
I'd ask for the doppler at 11 weeks, if you can truely live with it not working. This might sound really... bad... but the chances of you not knowing if something is wrong by 15 weeks are pretty slim.

I keep telling myself that! I feel as if I would know if something was wrong by then, but I guess the possibility of a missed m/c freaks me out some. We were also going to wait to spill the beans to the whole family on Thanksgiving, but if I dont hear it until 15 weeks, then that wont be until Christmas! There is no way I am keeping it in that long.

SoldiersGreenBean · November 2009

I'd make my appointment for a week later, so that you're 12 weeks.

LouRN09 · November 2009

tmbbride:
Shouldn't they be offering you an NT scan? that's the down syndrome marker ultrasound done between 11-13 weeks. I would call back and ask about that. they should have offered that too you..

Yes, she did talk about that today. I have to go dig through my brochures, but I am pretty sure that isnt covered by insurance either so it would also be out of pocket....

LovedWifey · November 2009

I got an ultra sound at 6 weeks 2 days and not only did we see the hb the doctor was able to find it for us to hear also. They should be able to pick it up at 11 weeks

And also, the doctor should be wanting you to be comforted as a pregnant woman. And should realize how big of a part of the process that is... id be annoyed and prob switch doctors if they didnt accomodate my wishes. Its not like your being unreasonable.

thomas&lynn · November 2009

I'd ask at 11 and hope for the best.

LouRN09 · November 2009

SoldiersGreenBean:
I'd make my appointment for a week later, so that you're 12 weeks.

I asked about rescheduling my appt, but she said that wouldnt be a good idea b/c I was already coming in a little later then they would have liked. i.e. I should have been there last week for my first appt, and then I would be 10 weeks at my next appt (and then she really wouldnt have tried to listen....)

LouRN09 · November 2009

LovedWifey:
I got an ultra sound at 6 weeks 2 days and not only did we see the hb the doctor was able to find it for us to hear also. They should be able to pick it up at 11 weeks And also, the doctor should be wanting you to be comforted as a pregnant woman. And should realize how big of a part of the process that is... id be annoyed and prob switch doctors if they didnt accomodate my wishes. Its not like your being unreasonable.

I see what you are saying....were they able to pick up the heartbeat on a doppler at 6 weeks though? I think that might be a whole other thing/issue. Unfortunately, I really shouldnt switch Doctors. I work at the hospital that this facility is affiliated with and my entire delivery will be covered 100%. The insurance is awesome, except for extra ultrasounds.....

magdalina.h · November 2009

My doctor doesn't try to listen until 12 weeks either. She said that she doesn't want to add any additional stress if she has a hard time locating it. So that's when I scheduled my 2nd appointment.

gmugrad9 · November 2009

Personally I would change doctors to one that has an ultrasound machine in office so I can see the little gummy bear. I would also ask for the NT (or sometimes called the FTS)

LouRN09 · November 2009

gmugrad9:
Personally I would change doctors to one that has an ultrasound machine in office so I can see the little gummy bear. I would also ask for the NT (or sometimes called the FTS)

Oh they defintely have a nice supply of u/s machines! That's no problem.

Stephanie2167 · November 2009

My nurse pulled out the doppler at my appointment last Wednesday. I was 8 weeks 6 days and she actually found it. It was really quiet but it was there in the 160s. I think you'll be able to hear it at 11 weeks.

gmugrad9 · November 2009

Are you sure it isn't covered by the insurance. For us the almost all tests are covered medical nesseity

gmugrad9 · November 2009

If they have an ultrasound in the office I am not sure why it isn't covered by the insurance it is then just billed in with the office visit.

LouRN09 · November 2009

gmugrad9:
If they have an ultrasound in the office I am not sure why it isn't covered by the insurance it is then just billed in with the office visit.

I have no idea. She said an early one isnt covered unless she can say it is "medically necessary"....which it isnt.

buffalo_buckeye · November 2009

I heard it with the Doppler at 9 weeks 2 days. I know this is early but it was nice and clear . I think it has to do with the way the placenta is laying and sometimes the mother's weight. You should have a better chance if you are on the thin side. Gl

CTL2005 · November 2009

Why is your next appointment at 11 weeks 2 days and then the one after that at 15 weeks? It sounds like you are waiting 2.5 weeks until your next appointment and then 4 weeks until the one after that. If it was me I would call them and change the 11 week 2 day appointment until the following week when I would be 12 weeks 2 days. There would then be no issue. The DR would easily listen for it and you would not have to beg or pay for an U/S. Does that make sense?

VampyAuthor · November 2009

The thing with at home dopplers is many times you can't pick up a heart beat. Which caues frustration and even more worry. This has happened to a few ladies on the second tri boards. Best bet, in my opinion would be to ask your doc. Explain you need a piece of mind and it doesn't hurt for them to try. Our baby was stubborn and couldn't pick up a HB on the doppler even at 11w. But, I get a U/S every visit so when they couldn't find it I knew I'd be down to get my U/S. Just ask your doc, they usually understand and have no issues.

LuaBear · November 2009

Why don't you just schedule your next appointment a few days late so that you will be 12 weeks? It's not like a few days makes a difference. I just had to take 6 weeks between appointments because I was out of town for work and that was no big deal.

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