Heart rate question

ThePax89 · January 2016

I've had 2 ultrasounds so far because nugget is measuring behind, but growing well. The doctor didn't measure the heartbeat, nor let me hear it either time. She just said she saw a flicker. Baby measured (5.5 weeks and 7 weeks in the scans)

Is this normal? I'm terrified because of my previous loss and the baby measuring 5 days behind at this point.

mouse1029 · January 2016

Not unusual. I had an u/s yesterday and we saw the flicker, but did not hear it. My doc was able to tell me after though it was 167 bpm

ThePax89 · January 2016

I go back next week again. Hope they can give me a heart rate

bsckgb7 · January 2016

I don't think you can "hear" it until you use a doppler. Ultrasounds aren't for sound. My RE will measure heartbeat if you ask, but don't regularly measure it.

SkiChic626 · January 2016

What specifically are you asking whether or not it's normal? Not letting you listen to the HB, or the growth?

Once you hit 6w at my IF clinic they usually try to let you hear the HB and take measurements for bpm every time. They do have to turn on the sound so that you can hear it otherwise you just see the flicker. What kind of doctor are you seeing at this point and what type of ultrasound did they do? Did s/he say why they didn't let you hear it or measure it? That said, measuring 5 days behind is normal, they can be up to a week off from where you actually are chronologically - plus the measurements are subjective. One dr might measure slightly different than another doctor and at this point a slight move of the mouse on the screen can make a difference of a couple days when it comes to the measurement.

ThePax89 · January 2016

@SkiChic626 I was wondering if it is normal to not be given the opportunity to hear the heartbeat and for the doctor to be content with "just a flicker" rather than measuring bpm.

Totally different experience with my daughter (different practice).

Doctor is an ob. Ultrasounds were transvaginal but the quality of the image seemed very poor compared to my first pregnancy.

cbpalagi · January 2016

I had my first us today and the doctor didn't let me listen to the heartbeat, but we could see it on the screen

SkiChic626 · January 2016

I'm not sure if it's normal with an OB since I've been going to an RE until this point. If it's transvaginal and they can see it, though, I don't see any reason they wouldn't let you hear it.

JEMN · January 2016

I had my first US yesterday and the tech said it uses more energy to actually hear the heart beat so it's after this early on to just measure the heart rate using the computer. She gave us the option of hearing it, but said she preferred not to this early on.

Kristin712 · January 2016

My understanding is that an ultrasound won't be able to pick to the actual sound of the HB until 8 weeks.

I've heard of many women say they heard their HB early but it wasn't an actual HB of their baby. It was just a sound that played to the beat of the flickering on the screen and used more for this "showing off" type purpose.

ThePax89 · January 2016

@Kristin712 thank you. This makes me feel a ton better. My daughter had a detectable/audible heart beat at 7 + 5. At my next ultrasound I should measure around 8 (if baby cooperates) so I'm really hoping to hear that thumping, for peace of mind.

DDRRT1982 · January 2016

I had my ultrasound today and I heard a heartbeat at 7 weeks. However, when she told me the rate it sounded off compared to what I know a rate that fast to sound like. Maybe there is something to it not being the legit hb sound. That makes more sense to me.

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