Fear for babys heart beat

da8ni · December 2014

i am currently 13 weeks pregnant and had a booking today at the hospital, I am trying to figure out why they wait so long to your first ultrasound! Mine wil be at 19weeks as per there request! How do I know there is a heart beat and my baby is ok? I don't like this feeling

clarebear300 · December 2014

Oh didn't they offer you the 11-13 week testing?

amooraxo · December 2014

I would request a scan earlier-- at least to hear the heartbeat and know the age/viability. Most of us have already had at least 1 or 2 by now...

And like PP said, you should definitely have one between those weeks to get the NT done.

Stormy61 · December 2014

This has been discussed many times. Ultrasounds prior to the anatomy scan (at 16 to 20 weeks) are not always necessary. There is some optional testing or dating scans that can be done, and some high risk ladies have more ultrasounds.

Can you ask them to listen for the heart beat via a doppler? They did that this week at my appt and it was very reassuring to hear.

amooraxo · December 2014

It may not be "necessary" but it sure is reassuring. Even those of us with low-risk pregnancies can attest to the comfort of an ultrasound. Even after my first US at 8 weeks I was anxious for my 12 week. Maybe it's a FTM thing also...

HappinessIsJune2015 · December 2014

Do you have scheduled appointments in the meantime? I agreee with PP to find out if your doc will use the Doppler. We had an ultrasound 10 weeks ago for dating purposes as my cycles were so irregualar I wasn't sure how far along I was. My only other ultrasound for this pregnancy (which is my first and I have a few higher risk issues-hypertension, overweight) is at 20 weeks. I understand the anxiety you have wanting to make sure everything is okay, but right now we are all just along for the ride:) The Doppler being used at my last appt was the first sigh of relief I have had in weeks! Hang in there!

littlechemist · December 2014

I'll only have 2 ultrasounds for the entire pregnancy (unless something changes). Had one at 8.5 weeks to estimate due date, and I won't have another until 18-20 weeks for the anatomy scan.

All of the other appointments they'll at least listen to the heartbeat with a doppler, which is the next best thing to an ultrasound!

jetreyes · December 2014

My Dr listens to the heart beat with a Doppler at every office visit. I'm surprised your Dr hasn't at least done that.

erbear84 · December 2014

Definitely ask about the Doppler. They used it at my 11wk5d appointment Monday!

da8ni · December 2014

Thanks ladies
It's a different situation for me as my husbands youngest brother is in a wheelchair and is disabled from birth he has PKS which is very rare! I have pushed them for early testing to make sure my baby is ok and they keep saying its not needed, even the hospital I did tell them at my appointment about my concern of the heart beat and my midwife said you will be fine! As this is my first baby I'm scared and don't know what to expect as it is and now I feel like they are not helping me to what they could! I have brought my own Doppler online so I can always have that reassurance here at home the whole way through but the fact that i won't find out until 19 weeks if my baby is ok scares me a bit considering we there is someone close to us effected by Disability! =(

MJMum524 · December 2014

You can hear by Doppler usually at your 12 week check up. Ask! Or you could borrow/buy a Doppler if you really won't be able to get the US or another test until then.

hazeldublin · December 2014

I'm sorry to hear about your brother in laws disability, and of course this would worry you. Is there any way you could pay for a private scan? It is scary when you can't feel your baby or see what's going on inside. I've had 3 scans so far (one emergency under suspected appendicitis) one at 12 weeks (I was only 10 weeks) this is the booking appointment then I met my consultant this week who did a quick scan to check all is well (no take home pics) but over here they won't listen to a Doppler until after 20 weeks. I'm not back until my 20 week scan but generally every hospital appointment they give a quick scan here.

bossybluejay · December 2014

My doctor only does a first trimester scan if there's a need (i.e. bleeding/heavy cramping). Other than that, they only do the 18-20 week scan. They listen for the heartbeat at every appointment starting around 10 weeks with the doppler. I had my first appt at 8 weeks and the dr brought in a handheld ultrasound machine so I could see the heartbeat since it was too early to use the doppler.

da8ni · December 2014

The drs I go to do not have a Doppler, and I am really upset as I have found out i too late to have the testing done for DS the one that's done between 11-14 weeks I'm now nearly 15 weeks and I am annoyed as I was never told or given the option to go and have this done? They just seen me at 13 weeks and said I'll see you at 19 weeks for ultrasound and drs appointment! 2 appointments in one week, I did tell them I worry about not hearing a heart beat and they did not offer to listern to it and they did not even offer me that optional appointment even though I was expressing my concerns for my brother inlaws disability! So I guess for me it's going to be a long wait for my 19 week check up! 19th jan I'm booked in!

dkleid · December 2014

I would switch doctors.. Ive never heard of a Doctor not even listening to the fetal heartbeat on a Doppler... IMO it doesnt sound like your doctor has a good bedside manner. See if you can switch practices. Best of luck.

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