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Heart beat question??

khammond3khammond3 member
in 1st Trimester
I had an ultrasound at 7 weeks. Saw the baby, heard the heart beat, and saw the heart actually beating!!! Today I am 8 weeks and had an appt. my dr tried to pick up a heart beat with the Doppler and couldn't . Why is it that you hear heart beat on ultrasound but not on Doppler? She said it was normal just didnt say why?
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Re: Heart beat question??

  • CutieBean79CutieBean79 member
    Different technologies. I can't believe your doctor even tried to use a doppler at 8 weeks, that is way early. It's normal to reach 13 weeks before hearing it.
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  • KariB509KariB509 member
    CutieBean79 said:

    Different technologies. I can't believe your doctor even tried to use a doppler at 8 weeks, that is way early. It's normal to reach 13 weeks before hearing it.

    This. Different technologies. My OB won't use the Doppler till 10 weeks+ because it's too hard to hear before then. I don't think you have anything to worry about.
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  • khammond3khammond3 member
    Okay thanks ladies! She told me we prob wouldn't hear it but asked if I wanted to give it a try anyways, so we did!
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  • CurlieWhirlieCurlieWhirlie member
    I'm pretty sure that with an u/s you don't really hear the heartbeat, the machine simulates it based on the flickering image. But don't quote me.
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  • ASmallWonderASmallWonder member
    You aren't actually hearing the hb with an ultrasound. The machine simulates the sound based on the pattern of the beats it is picking up. The Doppler is listening for the actual sounds like a stethoscope does.
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  • AwaitingAAmiracleAwaitingAAmiracle member
    That early in the pregnancy, the baby is low in the pelvis.  Bone and other structures prevent the sound waves from reaching the doppler sensor.  It is normal to not be able to hear the heartbeat with a doppler until after 10 weeks or so.  Many doctors will not even attempt the doppler until then so that pregnant women don't worry.  
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