Feeling bummed need support - fetal Doppler question

jmknox · January 2016

i want to know, did anyone have trouble with hearing the heartbeat at first on fetal Doppler that went on to find it a few weeks later with no problem? Our very experienced midwife tried at 10w1d for almost 20 minutes and couldn't find anything. I have heard this can be normal and she tried to reassure me that sometimes this happens. And I know the baby could be way Up in The back of the uterus depending on implantation location and so small that it's hard to hear but it still doesn't change the fact it's a mental mind fuck. We are scheduled this upcoming Tuesday to try again with the Doppler. I probably would feel better about it if I had seen a sono with a heart beat but our first one was at 7w3d and it was done abdominal rather than transvaginal so the heartbeat couldn't easily be seen although the horrible tech said that she thought she might could see it. I'm imagining if we can't find it again on Tuesday that we would be sent for another sono but it would take a few days as all imaging is done at a separate outside facility. I was trying to be cool about it but I'm failing miserably. Any one else BTDT?

mumblefrog86 · January 2016

My midwife won't even try that early. She said they will use the doppler at 14 weeks. She told me it causes unessary stress for the mom when they can't find it early. Just remember baby is s small and has lots of room to wiggle around. I wouldn't be worried this early by your next appointment you should be able to hear it

Mrsrundell · January 2016

My OB hasn't tried the Doppler yet and he said they will do it at my next appt when I'm 15 w. We saw a tiny flicker on the Us at 11 weeks but it would disappear if the angle wasn't just right. I'm sure everything is fine - you'll hear the little pitter patter soon!!

cait5413 · January 2016

Was the doppler abdominal too? My first US was transvaginal and they picked up the sound of the heartbeat that way, but so early it is not at all unusual to not be able to find it abdominally. I would be stressed out, too, though, even though it's perfectly normal. Especially cause you're getting close to the stage when 1st trimester symptoms will be going away--it messes with your head, but I am sure baby is fine in there!

DSMLove · January 2016

My midwife won't try to find the heartbeat with an abdominal doppler until 12 weeks. Because there's a good chance that she just won't be able to pick it up yet and doesn't want to cause stress.

I realize it's hard, but try not to worry about it. Most likely everything is fine, and she'll be able to find it in a few weeks.

jolydan · January 2016

My doctor found the HB at 10+2 but she was really surprise herself! She said it's a minority like 20% or less at this point and there's so many factor. I'm really thin so she said it probably helped and further along we found out at my NT Scan that my placenta is posterior so not on the way!

jamiesc58 · January 2016

I don't even get to see my OB in person until I am 12 weeks because she said there is really nothing for her to do until then. She doesn't try to find the hb before then for the reason that it doesn't work most times and could scare moms. My first appointment was a phone consultation to review my health and family history and order blood work.

texasmama2014 · January 2016

My doc did the fetal doppler yesterday and found nothing. She had me do a us and found the baby immediately and said he/she is perfect. There was nothing on the doppler. Nothing.

ETA: This is normal, and try not to worry!!

texasmama2014 · January 2016

@jmknox were you on the j14 board??

fruitpudding1696 · January 2016

On Tuesday at 11+4 my doctor couldn't find the heartbeat with a doppler and she tried for quite a while

made us pretty worried. Today we had an ultrasound and everything looked perfect. Nice heartbeat rate of 160-165 and wriggling alot

try not to worry and good luck

mrstmoose · January 2016

I'm just creeping from the May BMB but my OB couldn't get the heartbeat until 12 weeks either. Take deep breaths!

bananers · January 2016

I'm sorry you had that experience. IMO, doctors/midwives shouldn't try with a Doppler unless they're prepared to use an US as backup in the event they can't find it. That's just not fair to you.

I hope everything is well on Tuesday.

mimihatesyou · January 2016

if it's any consolation, my ob spent a long time searching for the heartbeat with the doppler and was unable to find it. luckily he followed that attempt with an ultrasound, but it was a very unnerving experience.

oddly enough, a few days later i bought my own fetal dopper to use at home and was able to locate the heartbeat (at 10+3). i had to go right to the fold where my right leg meets my pelvis, and it's been identifiable around that location ever since.

lalalorelai · January 2016

Totally normal! A nurse was able to find my baby's heartbeat today at 11 weeks, 1 day, but it took two different nurses and quite awhile to find it. The only reason they even tried was because I had some spotting this morning and we wanted to check it out. The second nurse said they don't usually even bother trying if you're less than 12 weeks, and she really had to dig the doppler into my stomach to find it (I also have a tipped uterus, and that can make it harder to find).

I was on the verge of tears the entire time they couldn't find it, so I know how you feel. The nurses were both really careful to assure me that this early it's very normal to not hear anything, and the only reason they were even trying was to reassure me that my spotting was just normal pregnancy issues. So what happened to you is totally normal.

jmknox · January 2016

texasmama2014 said:

@jmknox were you on the j14 board??

Yes

jmknox · January 2016

Thanks everyone. I am glad to see the "here and now" responses that let me know that I am indeed not alone.

Bookhousegirl · January 2016

@mrstmoose I remember you from that bmb (I was on there for a brief time before my loss) glad to see all is well and you are getting close to having your baby!

My OB just did a Doppler at 10w5d and found a heartbeat but had prefaced it with "it is completely normal to not be able to detect it at this stage" she even was planning on sending me for an US after the Doppler if she couldn't find it.

MSUgrad12 · January 2016

I got my fetal Doppler in the mail today. It took me about a half hour, but I was able to find it. The baby was a lot lower and more off center than I had expected and had been looking originally. I'm 10 weeks today.

jmknox · January 2016

I have been thinking about getting one. Not sure if I should though....

MSUgrad12 · January 2016

@jmknox for only $38, it's great to have the peace of mind. You just have to be PATIENT and not freak out if you can't find it.

I also watched a lot of YouTube videos to find the best way to find the heartbeat.

mommyagainto32016 · January 2016

I'm 10 weeks, i got my sonoline B doppler two weeks ago. At first it took me about 15-20 min to find it but now I know where the stinker hangs out so can always find it within 2 min!!

it's usually 170-180 bpm. I think it all depends on babies and your uterus location on how easy you can find it, and the quality of your doppler! I wouldn't stress as most doctors don't even try until 12 weeks! And yes YouTube videos are the best on showing you exactly how to find vary as I was looking for him/her way too high at first. They should be lower, just above your pubic bone!! Good luck and try not to worry.....easier said than done I know as I'm the biggest worrier ever!!

jmknox · January 2016

Thanks. I've been having dreams of an US with an active baby on it trying to put my mind at ease

satto_takai · January 2016

Sending support your way!

My primary won't try looking for the heartbeat until my 12w appointment. She said even then there is a chance to not pick up the hb, depending on baby's position and the date baby actually implanted (which can change the measurements and whatnot. My size-measurement estimate is about 1.5-1.75 weeks behind the LMP estimate).

I hope you get to hear baby's hb at your next appt and your mind will be at ease!

parneetkur · January 2016

Hello everyone. I did an intro on the intro board but here it goes again. I am a 30 yr FTM . DH is 29. I turn 12 weeks today. I recently purchased the Soni line B and have been trying to fund the heartbeat after several attempts and almost giving up I think u found it. Is there a way to upload a sound clip.?? I would love to have your opinion because I am still not 100% sure if it's the baby ...

ShanRum3 · January 2016

This is my 4th pregnancy (My 2nd ended in miscarriage) and my youngest DS is now 6. I was in denial for about a month, that I was even PG! I finally took the test a week ago, and lots and behold....I've had my initial comforting blood work, and my quantitative results on Tuesday, put me in the 10 week range. I haven't seen the Dr. yet, and my appointment this week, will just be with the nurse, going over medical history, etc. I am kind of freaking out, since my US isn't for almost 2 weeks yet. I'm thinking of asking at my appointment this week, if she will use the doppler and try to find the heartbeat. Just for a little peace of mind!

ShanRum3 · January 2016

And I hate auto correct... sorry, hope that made sense. It was typed from my phone.

MSUgrad12 · January 2016

So happy I have my own Doppler. I Went to doctors today and they couldn't find the heartbeat. Went home and was able to find it within 5 min

jmknox · January 2016

Heard it!!!!! Took almost 10 minutes to find! But it was found! 168-172 bpm! Yessssssssssss!

texasmama2014 · January 2016

@jmknox what a relief!!! So glad!

MSUgrad12 · January 2016

@jmknox that's awesome. Such a relief when you hear it!

jmknox · January 2016

Thanks y'all. Yes relieved. We got some really bad family news this week and we needed something good and positive

Prinny1 · January 2016

My dr says if you dont hear it before 12 weeks it doesnt mean a thing. She always tries early and i never hear it before 12 weeks. This is my 3rd pregnancy. Dont worry! I know you will anyway but it is totally okay!

MSUgrad12 · January 2016

@Prinny1. Thank you. It was disappointed, but also knew it was early. I'm getting an NT scan next week, so knowing the opportunity to see baby is coming up helped me get over it

asponaug · January 2016

Yes! I just went yesterday and she tried two different dopplers with no luck. She said one of the machines was so bad you could practically only hear anything when you were full term. We had an ultrasound and everything was ok but know this is so common!

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