1st appt frustration

Soverthis · November 2015

I am 8 wk 2d. I scheduled my 1st appt when I found I was pregnant at 4wk 4ds. I will be 9 wk 3ds at my 1st appt. I went to a prenatal class at the clinic recently and found out they won't listen for the heart until 12 wks. I am so sad. I don't understand why I have to wait so long when it will be possible to hear the heart. After 2.5 yrs of infertility I just want to hear that my baby is really in there. Plus I wanted to tell my mom on thanksgiving but I don't want to tell anyone until I hear the heartbeat just in case. It seems like many others hear the heartbeat and see the Dr way earlier than my clinic. I am considering looking into another clinic. I could just be being crazy though! Thoughts?

carig63 · November 2015

I never heard the HB for my first two until twelve or so weeks, since the Doppler couldn't pick it up. We moved states and clinics, and I only heard the HB already because they did a t/v u/s for determining the due date. If they don't pick it up or do a u/s I'm imagining your doctor will examine you to confirm the pregnancy. I don't think this one thing is enough of a reason to find a new doctor, but I tend to be pretty laid back.

MynaBird · November 2015

carig63 said:

I never heard the HB for my first two until twelve or so weeks, since the Doppler couldn't pick it up. We moved states and clinics, and I only heard the HB already because they did a t/v u/s for determining the due date. If they don't pick it up or do a u/s I'm imagining your doctor will examine you to confirm the pregnancy. I don't think this one thing is enough of a reason to find a new doctor, but I tend to be pretty laid back.

Ditto all this. I had my first appointment today at 9w0d and my midwife couldn't hear the heartbeat. She did do a quick dating ultrasound, so we got to see that everything looks OK.

cluelesssm · November 2015

Hmmm. At my first appointment they did not listen for a hearbeat with a doppler. Instead they preformed an internal ultrasound to measure baby, give me a due date, make sure it wasn't a tubal pregnancy, and look at the heart. From the internal ultrasound they can see from the flicker on the screen how fast baby's heart is beating to make sure it's ok, you just can't hear anything this way. Perhaps they just do an ultrasound? Maybe call them to double check? At my next apt on Dec 9th they won't do an ultrasound but instead use a doppler to listen to the heart. If they don't check anything at the first apt then what is the point lol?! I would probaby look into switching clinics if that was the case. In the meantime you can make an apt at a private ultrasound place in your area if you are ok with paying the money just to have a peek at the baby and mak sure it's there so you can announce on Thanksgiving.

CourtJack · November 2015

Yep. It's not standard practice to hear the hb so early on. You could ask for a dating US and then you'll get the reassurance you're looking for

shainaellis · November 2015

I had an ultrasound at 8w4d and then my midwife scheduled me for an appt the following week (9w4d) so we could hear the heartbeat. I always see one laying around or one of the Drs/midwifes carrying it around so I would mention it to them when you go in and tell them your reason for wanting to hear it. There certainly is no harm in asking

CourtJack · November 2015

^ but also be prepared to NOT be able to hear it so you don't go into crazy panic mode.

kmorris6 · November 2015

I know what you're saying! My first pregnancy I had an ultrasound at my 8 week appt but now I'm in a different state and I have to wait until 12 weeks! Waiting is hard.

Yoda923 · November 2015

Yes... I've had an appt each week for the past 3 weeks mainly cause I have been so sick and also cause I was having abdomen pain (I pulled a muscle from getting so sick) but all 3 times we could not hear HB but US confirmed baby is ok ... So if you don't hear don't get scared to soon ... ☺️ I pray it all works out for you and you get the peace of mind you need ..

fishwife799 · November 2015

I think one of the reasons they don't even try is so people don't get worried if they can't hear it. They say that by 12 weeks you should hear pretty much any baby so that's pretty standard for them to not try until that point. They don't want to cause you unnecessary stress. A lot of times early on I think when people say they heard the heart beat they are referring to an ultrasound when they turn the sound on and you can hear and see it on the screen.

DaintyKnotts · November 2015

I've had two appointments so far and they've just done blood and urine tests. I'm 10w0d. 12 week fetal doppler/internal exam and 20 week ultrasound. They said I could schedule a dating ultrasound, but since I was sure of my LMP they said it wasn't necessary. I was worried too, but my doctor told me if I'm ever really stressing she'll schedule something for me right away. So if you're feeling nervous, I'm sure your doctor will understand! I'm anxious to hear/see baby too!

Soverthis · November 2015

Thanks for the responses. I should have included too that they do one ultrasound at 20 wks unless there are concerns. Feels like I am frequently seeing posts of people early in the first tri getting ultrasounds and hearing the heartbeat. And now I guess I have no clue what the 1st app is for. I had a pap in June so I am not due for that. If it is just going to be a waste of my time I would rather not have to take work off.

theatremandy · November 2015

I just had my appt at 9w 3 d yesterday and she couldn't find the HB on the Doppler. I think most docs don't try because they don't want to cause worry. I had an early scan because I have a history of losses and multiples. I doubt I would have had one otherwise.

anna.oskar · November 2015

We heard the HB at our second appt (7w6d) but I've quickly gathered that my doctor seems to be far more attentive than is the norm. I mean, I'm not high risk categorized and yet by next wednesday (12w4d) I'll have had 4 appointments and ultrasounds at 2 of them.

MynaBird · November 2015

Soverthis said:

Thanks for the responses. I should have included too that they do one ultrasound at 20 wks unless there are concerns. Feels like I am frequently seeing posts of people early in the first tri getting ultrasounds and hearing the heartbeat. And now I guess I have no clue what the 1st app is for. I had a pap in June so I am not due for that. If it is just going to be a waste of my time I would rather not have to take work off.

Prenatal appointments aren't just there as opportunities for you to see or hear the baby -- that's a nice reassurance, and I understand your frustration at wanting to know that everything's OK, but to call your prenatal care a waste of time just because you're not going to hear the heartbeat is a bit much. This is about your provider seeing you, doing a health history, addressing symptoms, etc., in the interest of making sure you -- and consequently your baby -- are healthy. Do you think it's a waste of your time to go to the dentist?

lauren0913 · November 2015

I just got home from my 1st appointment (8w5d) and he tried but could not hear the heartbeat on the Doppler....he told me prior to trying that it was just for fun because it was pretty early to hear one....we went into the ultrasound room, got to see the baby & see the beautiful flicker of the heartbeat...he said in 4 weeks at my next appointment I will absolutely be able to hear the heartbeat

VikingGirl12 · November 2015

I just had an appt at 11 weeks and they could not find the HB using doppler. This caused a LOT of unnecessary worry. I had to have my FOURTH us this pregnancy to confirm everything was ok. The tech told me she dIwant understand why they doppler so early, so many times the doppler wont pick it up until at least 12 weeks.

CourtJack · November 2015

VikingGirl12 said:
I just had an appt at 11 weeks and they could not find the HB using doppler. This caused a LOT of unnecessary worry. I had to have my FOURTH us this pregnancy to confirm everything was ok. The tech told me she dIwant understand why they doppler so early, so many times the doppler wont pick it up until at least 12 weeks.

Yep. Unnecessary worry. My midwife couldn't find the HB at 12w and after the appt I got in my car and cried my face off. Turns out all was ok. So just proof that even at 12w - no HB on Doppler isn't, on its own, cause for alarm. :-)

SweetMamaJune · November 2015

Same!!! I'm 10 +1 and can't get an appt before 12 wks. I mean, I feel tired, nauseous and moody but there's just that doubt there that says, "Okay but is there anything in there!?" So jealous of everyone who already announced!

chloe97 · November 2015

I went to my first appt today (8wks, 1day) and she wasn't going to do a ultrasound, but I asked if we could see the heartbeat and she used the abdominal ultrasound to find the baby and identify that it was indeed a "live fetus." I can't lie, it made me feel so much better. Maybe if you ask for it and blame your anxiety, they will do it for you?

violetmarie61516 · November 2015

I feel so bad for you ladies who are having to wait for these things. We were able to schedule an appointment right away and they did a vaginal "dating" US during the first OB appointment. By LMP, we were 7w4d and by US baby measured 6w6d and we were able to hear the HB during that US. I can't imagine having to wait so long for these things. I hope you are able to figure out how to get it sooner!!

smorrow801 · November 2015

My doctor does a dating ultrasound between 7 and 8 weeks. You can also opt for a nuchal translucency ultrasound at 12. Heard the heartbeat with the doppler at 10. Is it possible to ask for a dating ultrasound? That sucks to have to wait that long :-(

dennyandlee · November 2015

You could just get your own fetal doppler and listen to baby's heartbeat on your own. My sister found me the Sonoline B on a mom swap for $25.

jmcd1285 · November 2015

I was in for my first exam at 6 w 5 d (I had previously been told I was closer to o weeks based on my lmp), but they did an internal bedside ultra sound and found the heart beat. I think everyone and every baby is just different. I was in the same boat that I wanted to see and hear it so that it seemed "real." I have my second exam in a week and I'll be 10 w 5 d. I'm anxious to get back in and make sure everything is still ok.

bkzlexie23 · November 2015

I had my first appt yesterday (at 8 weeks). When I made the appt on the phone I asked if I could have a sonogram done bc I was paranoid and wanted to make sure baby was ok. When I was at the doctors office they did an internal sonogram and we were able to hear a heart beat. maybe you can request one to be done sooner? good luck with everything!

wbwells · November 2015

We heard our heartbeat with an external ultrasound at 7+6, and then internal again the next day, but no doppler yet. Maybe ask for an internal US just to make sure everything is going ok?

vtr10 · November 2015

I honestly don't think you should be frustrated with this; it's kind of silly. With my first two children, I did not do an u/s until 20 weeks and heard their heartbeats at 12 weeks with a Doppler. This time around, I've had 3 ultrasounds because I've had 2 miscarriages after my second child. It's pretty standard to not have an u/s until 20 weeks. I wouldn't get upset over that...and it's definitely not a waste of time to skip on your first exam. They ask you tons of questions that help to make sure you and your baby are healthy.

Sydvicious08 · November 2015

I'm in the minority here. I've had really early u/s with all 4 of mine. One was at a birthing center and the others at a regular OB. I've always done an early u/s for dating purposes. All external and all able to hear a heartbeat at 8-10 weeks. Is it possible that your insurance only covers so many and that is why the aren't doing one?

Edited bc I can't form a complete sentence, apparently.

ArtsyBakingGeek · November 2015

I was able to see and hear my baby at my 9 week appointment through the pelvic ultrasound they did to date the pregnancy; HOWEVER, i didnt expect that as i just moved to the states from Canada and my first pregnancy i had to wait til i thought i was 20 weeks (actually 18 weeks) for the ultrasound... there was no sound and the doppler at the doctor appointments didn't pick anything up til a ways after that. My husband and i ended up buying an apparently crappy doppler that we threw out as it never picked anything up even in the third trimester.

Knottie86418473 · November 2015

Do they know how long it took to conceive? I'd make sure to mention it to them as it may make them want to do one.

I'm 8+2 and have my first appt tomorrow. They're doing a t/v u/v but I'm also 37 so am "high risk" due to my apparent geriatric age.

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