Is a measurement of heartbeat always taken at 6w ultrasound?

bayareagirl2011 · April 2014

I went in for our 6 week ultrasound on Monday - technically I was 6w3d. The RE seemed super pleased and said it looked great (saw the fetal pole, yolk sac) and the little heartbeat (we didn't hear it, just saw it) but they did not give me the measurement on how fast it was beating per minute. This seems like something most people get. I even asked, and they said that he could tell by the US it was good.

I would be more worried if this wasn't one of the best clinics in my area...so I just decided to trust him. But I'm still feeling a little unsettled.

Is this odd? It seems like they do things differently than a lot of other experiences I'm reading in the forum. First, only 1 beta (I had to request the 2nd one) and then they don't tell me how fast it's beating. I go back in 2 weeks, then "released" to my OB if all else is good.

Thanks in advance.

twistsandturnsto2 · April 2014

I didnt get a heart rate at 6 weeks, just saw a flicker. My RE gave us a heart rate at our next u/s at 7 weeks. As long as you are measuring well I wouldn't worry too much about it yet. In another 2 weeks you should be able to get a reliable HR.

cinnamonrollcupcake · April 2014

At our clinic we only saw the heartbeat for the first two ultrasounds - we didn't get to hear the heartbeat or know how fast it was beating. Not until I had my first OB appointment around 8 or 9 weeks did we get to hear the heartbeat and they told us the heartrate. So don't worry. Your RE said everything looks great so that's wonderful!

bayareagirl2011 · April 2014

Thanks ladies, I'm trying hard not to question every little thing and accept that places do things differently. I've had such an amazing experience at this clinic from the beginning, so I don't want to question them but my mind can't help but wander...thanks for putting me at ease!

O2girl · April 2014

I feel that besides clinics... Doctors within the same clinic do things differently. I have 2 friends that went to my clinic... One ha the same RE as I do the other has the RE i saw in my emergency on Sunday..... My RE does the heart rate check at 6.5 weeks . The RE I saw on Sunday doesn't until 8 weeks.....

My clinic keeps their patients throughout the whole first trimester; so that may be a factor in why they check heart rates earlier.

I'm glad to hear that your RE said things look great! Congrats!

Deardra77 · April 2014

My RE never gives the heart rate, even at the last appointment before being released. Try not to worry about it, they know by looking that it is ok as it's what they do all day every day.

rox825 · April 2014

I didn't get a heart rate from my RE, my OB gave an estimate and sent me for an in-depth scan to get a more accurate rate.

katekat8721 · April 2014

My RE was looking for the fetal pole, yolk sac and flickering HB at the first appt. Those were all good indicators that baby was doing ok. We didn't get to 'hear' the HB for some time and it wasn't until the babies got a little bigger that they started measuring it.

I wouldn't worry about it, it sounds like you're progressing really well

FutureMrsW9 · April 2014

We did get a heartbeat "measurement" at our 6w appt, and got to hear it and everything. I believe it was 110 or something around there - it's in my siggy. We even got a pic of the measuring thing going up and down (clearly the technical term for it) on the u/s pic. That was at 6w2d. That said, we were warned ahead of time that we may not be able to see or hear it at that point, but it was loud and clear - some ladies can't hear or see it until 7ish weeks. But I feel like it's common to not get that and just get the visual, as well, from what I've seen on our board.

pcrumley · April 2014

I would just ask to hear it next time, our RE literally let's us hear it for 3 seconds, and my first ultrasound kinda sucked bc she angled the monitor away from me and I couldn't see hardly anything, I wish I would have spoken up, but lots of girls don't hear it until 7/8 weeks, plus I think since u have a male RE he's not as in tuned with the "details" and is not thinking about how precious it would be to hear the hb of your baby you worked so hard for. When's your next appt? @bayareagirl2011‌

gldnbearz · April 2014

At the 6 week u/s, they were specifically looking for the gestational sac, yolk sac, & fetal pole. We did see the flicker of the heartbeat. Details in my dog (I'm mobile).

We never heard the heartbeat while with the RE, who kept us until the week 9 u/a. We just got to see it and they did measure it.

happygirl1013 · April 2014

We couldn't see the heartbeat in 6W, but did at 7W. Next time, I'd tell them upfront that what happened last time made you feel uncomfortable, given your past situation, they will hopefully understand and work with you. Good luck!

pcrumley · April 2014

boyankl said:

We couldn't see the heartbeat in 6W, but did at 7W. Next time, I'd tell them upfront that what happened last time made you feel uncomfortable, given your past situation, they will hopefully understand and work with you. Good luck!

^this, demand to hear it.. Lol there's no reason why, it's not like it costs more lol . .

BBColt78 · April 2014

The heart literally starts beating at about 6w. We didn't get to hear ours then either.

This is what I've read and I could be wrong. That early, we are not actually "hearing" the heart beat anyway. When done on the ultrasound, the computer measures the heartbeat and then simulates the sound at that speed. So it's not truly "the heartbeat" but a simulation according to your baby's actual heartbeat. Hope this makes sense.

FWIW- My OB won't even try to really hear the hb until after 13 weeks. Until then he used ultrasounds to check the heartrate.

Don't freak, it all sounds normal to me! Hang in there!

lmlee15 · April 2014

The u/s I had at the RE was at 6w1d, she said little one measured good and saw a flicker for the heartbeat... didn't have an exact number. She said not to worry because sometimes that's too early. I've graduated back to the OB... I'm not sure when my next u/s will be.

bayareagirl2011 · April 2014

pcrumley, my next appointment is the 28th.

I'll be a little over 8 weeks then.

just wanted to say thank you for all the responses...they were definitely helpful in calming me down after seeing that it can be normal not to hear/get a number at the 6 week appt. I think at the 8 week appointment I will ask to hear it for sure.

you ladies are so great, it's so nice to be able to hear other experiences of people who have done this already! thank you!

Cutiecruz327 · April 2014

I think at 6weeks we just saw the flicker. We didn't get the count until the u/s where we heard the Heartbeat.

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