Ugh

MrsBecker627 · January 2016

Went to my first appt today and they couldn't find the heartbeat. She said its normal bc I'm still early 9 weeks 3 days. I didn't get an ultrasound and when I asked when I will get one she said at 18 weeks. How come everyone else is getting them so early and I won't get mine til later. Go back in four weeks.

bsckgb7 · January 2016

Did they use a doppler to try and find the heartbeat? All doctor are different. Same ladies are high-risk or IF ladies and get lots of ultrasounds earlier (or have other complications). Some doctors just don't do lots of ultrasounds.

bananers · January 2016

I'm very sorry. I would not be okay with that answer though and would be finding a new doctor. Maybe I'm just jaded because I've had two missed miscarriages (don't let me scare you - it's common for the HB to be hard to find this early), but why put you through that anxiety for another 4 weeks? They should have given you an u/s when they couldn't find it via Doppler or not checked at all.

rosieo52 · January 2016

My doctor doesn't even check for heartbeat til 12 weeks and no ultrasound til 20. This is different then my doc I had with DD. When I asked why they do it this way she said it was because insurance companies don't always approve the earlier ultrasound. Unfortunately it's nerve racking for us mommas. Just keep telling yourself you are taking care of your baby how you should and everything will be alright. If switching docs makes you feel better that's ok too. I don't have a choice because of my insurance. I go to a very busy practice and they deliver lots of healthy babies...doctors do know what they are doing!!

smilormarie · January 2016

I'm high risk (AMA, previous c-section, previous placenta previa, and needing fertility treatments to conceive) so I had 19 USs last pregnancy, I expect the same or more this pregnancy. I think depending on your history, you may or may not qualify for:

- a dating ultrasound (between 6-8 weeks)
- A level 1 ultrasound (11-13 weeks)
- A level 2 ultrasound (18-22 weeks)
- A late term ultrasound (after 30 weeks if the doctor has a concern about baby's size or if the baby is breech).

A lot of practitioners only do the 20 week as standard of care and some practitioners always do the 12 and 20 week as standard of care. You are allowed to find a new practitioner if you choose. You may also be young, healthy, and low risk with all other tests showing normal and your doctor does not consider it appropriate to do an early ultrasound. Ask their reasoning and make your decision from there. Good luck!!

amandazap · January 2016

That has to be a terrible experience! This is why a lot of OB's wait to do us's until at least 12 weeks because not being able to find the heartbeat at 9 weeks is very common. I wouldn't worry too much as long as you aren't bleeding or pregnancy symptoms stop.

mumblefrog86 · January 2016

I wouldn't worry about not being to hear the hb with a Doppler this early. my midwife wont even attempt to look for a hb on the doppler until 14 weeks. She says it is too early and can cause unnecessary stress on the mom if they cant find it. I had my 10 week appointment on Monday and was disappointed she wouldn't try.

1faceinacrowd · January 2016

I'm not sure if this helps or not, but ultrasounds weren't even around when our parents and grandparents had kids (depending on how old you and your parents are, I guess). I had a dating u/s at 7w1d but it was transvaginal because they can't even get a good picture from a regular (abdominal) ultrasound at that point. Dopplers often don't work by 9 weeks along, as PPs have mentioned.
You could switch providers if that's just the standard for your doctor if you're really uncomfortable with waiting so long. Otherwise, 18 weeks is a good time to get an ultrasound because that's when you can find out the gender and make sure everything is developing well. I don't think I got my first ultrasound until 16 weeks with my first pregnancy, if I remember correctly, but I was 20, SUPER healthy, and had zero risk of complications.

WinterPumpkin · January 2016

I have to second @bananers - maybe because of a previous missed miscarriage but I think also common sense! Why oh why is it okay to put women through the misery of waiting another 4 weeks!? It's an ultrasound machine not a rocket to Mars, what is the harm of a quick ultrasound check to make sure everything's okay in there?

I don't want to scare you either but not checking has its downsides as well, I will not enumerate them here to save your sanity, all of this to say that I would switch providers. I would actually not even bother with an office who does a Doppler check in this day an age, but to each their own...

Ok this was more like a rant in response to the many many "Doctor will be doing a single ultrasound!" posts I've seen lately, I'll get off my soapbox now.

Everything's most likely alright in there.

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