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1st Trimester
bluegirl0429
member
Usually a lurker but I have a question...Worried.
bluegirl0429
member
Usually I am lurker on this board and I refused to post anything until I was well out of my first trimester (only because I am superstitious). But I am little worried after a purchasing a home Doppler from babybeat.com.
I am 12 weeks and 2 days pregnant. I have had your typical first trimester pregnancy symptoms (sore boobs, nausea, etc.). Although, the symptoms have decreased since 10.5 weeks (well the nausea has-not the boobs).
I have had an ultrasound at 7.5 weeks and saw a great, little heartbeat. Since then my husband and I have moved out of state. Therefore, I needed to change doctors. To make a long story short, I am not sure when my next ultrasound will be. I do have a new patient appointment tomorrow with an intake nurse.
Anyways, I purchased a home Doppler from babybeat.com. It is a medical grade Doppler and waited until this week to use it. We have tried four times and have been unable to locate the heartbeat. Because I am worrywart, I tend to read up on the worst things that can happen in pregnancy and I am scared of a missed miscarriage. Should I be worried or is this a common thing -to not be able to find a heartbeat? It seems a lot of women on different boards have had success at 8,9, 10 weeks.
*E - 08/29/2013*
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Usually a lurker but I have a question...Worried.
When I was pregnant with DS they were unable to find his HB with a doppler until I was 16 weeks. I had a few ultrasounds and he was always ok --- the doppler just couldn't pick up the HB yet. I wouldn't worry. Especially since you have an appointment tomorrow. Tell the nurse about your concerns. Since you are a new patient they might order another ultrasound anyway.
Good luck & try not to worry!
There are a few tricks to using those at home dopplers. I never recommend people get them if the are prone to worry. Make sure your bladder is full, and it helps if you use a pillow under your butt to push everything up a bit more. It takes time and patience. Also, as mentioned, placing the doppler in the right area is paramount t success. I was able to find my daughter's HB at around 9-10 weeks using a little bit of pressure (the baby is cushioned) and those tips.
I agree with the advice the other ladies have given, and I am sure your little one is floating around safely in there. Good luck!
It's really hard to find at first. When I first found it, it was right after a 9w appt,. where the tech used an abdominal u/s wand, so that showed me excactly where to look (and it helped a TON knowing the heart was in fact beating). Even with that it took me 20 minutes. Now around 12w I actually find it harder to find because baby is moving around sometimes. I also have the best success in the AM just after I use the bathroom. Some say it's easier if the bladders full. Start by looking just above your pelvic bone line, and you need to push in a harder than you probably expect. Try going just to the left, or just to the right. And have a ton of patience.
Also, make sure you use your ears, and not the heart rate monitor. I can often hear it but not get the doppler to actually pick up the rate
BFP#1 10/1/2011. Our perfect little girl, Her heart stopped @ 12w1d. D&E 11/23/11
BFP#2 3/13/12 Weird CP/Possible EP @ 6w0d
BFP#3 5/28/12 CP @ 5w0d
BFP/WTF#4 10/26/12 CP
BFP#5 12/10/12 EDD 8/23/2013
Thank you ladies for the replies! They helped and encouraged me!
I told the nurse yesterday and she immediately signed me up for the on call doctor to conduct an ultrasound. There was the baby, relaxing there like nothing was wrong, moving its arms, with a heartbeat of 177!
Although later at night, I tripped and fell, landed on my knees and hands. My finger and one knee received the most force. I didn't land on my stomach. No bleeding or cramping so I am not going to worry too much about it. I called the on call doctor but she never called me back (not too upset about it - she was probably busy delivering babies). I will mention it at my next appointment, which is early next week. Just trying not too be worried!