Question about hearing baby's heartbeat.....

15 years ago

I'm 15 weeks pregnant now. I went for a prenatal appointment at 11 weeks, and the doctor tried for a heartbeat, but couldn't find one. He said that we'd definitely hear it at the next appointment. I had that next appointment last week when I was 14 weeks, and he still couldn't find the heartbeat. I was worried, but he said that with someone carrying excess belly weight, it makes it hard to find the heartbeat this early. He didn't feel it was nescessary to schedule me for an ultrasound or anything. When I go back on the 27th, he's going to give me a requisition for the regular ultrasound.

Now I'm crazy paranoid. I keep thinking my belly's not growing (although I am overweight which makes it hard to tell). I lie down and poke at my belly to see if I can find my uterus but I can't. And I'm not feeling any movement. (I know it's early, but I was feeling Ben move at 15 weeks). I still have pregnancy symptoms - fatigue, nausea and vomiting, sore boobs...., but I've read that with a missed miscarriage you can still have symptoms and even a positive pregnancy test if the placenta is still releasing hormones.

Does 14 weeks seem late to you to not be able to find a heartbeat?

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Comments (15)

jannie
15 years ago
I don't know. It was all so long ago. My youngest is 18. Please try not to worry.
paula_pa
15 years ago
Well they automatically did an ultrasound to date me at just 8 weeks since my cycles are irregular. Since you weren't trying, wouldn't they need to do that for you? They have a machine in the office and although with both pregnancies I've only had the one to date it and one at 18-20 weeks to check for complications, I've known many other women online who've had trouble finding the heartbeat and their doctors don't seem to hesitate to do an ultrasound. Maybe the excess weight can make it difficult to find the heartbeat but in my experience, doctors don't usually just sit back and wait. It's just emotionally cruel to make you worry like that. Not only cruel but if you have miscarried, I would think they would want to know too and treat you accordingly, medically speaking.
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happyhappy
15 years ago
I see nothing wrong with calling your doc's office and explaining that you really NEED to know what is going on...whether it's via an ultrasound, or vaginal microphone, an you would like to be squeezed in and seen ASAP. Please do NOT feel like a nagging pregnant woman. No woman should have to lie awake at night feeling the worry you are feeling now.

Best of luck.

h.h.
diane_sw_mich
15 years ago
The baby is growing, isn't it? Maybe that's why he's not concerned?
For me, the worst part of pregnancy was worrying that something would go wrong.
Di
talley_sue_nyc
15 years ago
The doctor has many other signs that are keeping him from worrying.

Give him an opportunity to share them with you.

And I know that my GYNs would have humored me without scorn, if that was what it took for me to feel comfortable.

They'd have tried all the less expensive ways of reassuring me first (showing me the chart, w/ the growth of the fundus, explaining what other medical signs and symbols there are, explaining why the LACK of certain signs is proof things are fine).

But they'd have found a way to reassure me if it really was giving me fits.

Can you find something complicated to do, to take your mind off it? Sort of the mental equivalent of hitting your thumb w/ a hammer, to take your mind off your headache?
stephmc72
15 years ago
Nicole, I totally get your anxiousness! I would be a wreck. I'm very surprised they didnt do an ultrasound, especially after 2 visits of not finding a h/b. I would call back and explain how you're feeling and tell them you want an ultrasound now. Making you wait is emotionally cruel, like Paula said.
Toni S
15 years ago
Put my name under Happyhappy. Worrying doesn't help you or the baby.
mariend
15 years ago
Since I am not familiar with Canadian Dr's and their medical system/rules/regs etc I cannot offer much advice, only hugs. BUT
nodakgal
15 years ago
There could be more than one reason from what I understand, the baby could be in a difficult position to hear it, I think the body fat does have something to do with it too and I am sure I have heard of other reasons but darn if I can remember them right now....did they try laying you on your side and listening?

That said I think if your Doc knew how worried you are they would either do the U/S to appease your worries or tell you outright that everything is ok! So I think I'd call, because this stress isn't good for Mommie or baby.
Hang in there girl! I know I have heard of the HB not being heard til 15 16 weeks....
hale_bopp
15 years ago
Ask for an US ASAP! It's not good for you to be worrying. (((Nicole)))

Blessings,
Haley (who's been through this)
angela_nor_calif
15 years ago
That is really unfair of them to make you worry so much - as I would too. I'd be a wreck. I would explain how I was feeling and request an U/S asap.
linda_in_iowa
15 years ago
I remember an early OB appointment and the doctor couldn't hear a heartbeat. He told me to wait a month until my next appointment. When I went to work in the ER later that day, I expressed my concern to an ER nurse. She told me to walk over to the OB clinic and ask them to use the doppler or doptone or something. This was 33 years ago. It was so simple for them to get the machine some L&D and set it up and let me hear the heat beat. You don't need to be worrying. Call your doctor's office.
hale_bopp
15 years ago
Nicole, I also wanted to mention a story that happened to my dear friend. They couldn't hear the HB either, and so they got another doppler...the first was OUT OF BATTERIES. If offices don't udpate their batteries regularly, it makes it hard to hear the baby b/c it's faint or can't hear it at all.

If you can't get in to get an US (which I know can be difficult because you're in Cananda and there are long waits for appt.s) go purchase your own doppler. I know I've seen them at specialty baby shops, Target, BabysRus...etc.

Keep us updated!

Blessings,
Haley
danihoney
15 years ago
I don't understand why they haven't done a vaginal ultra sound if your belly weight was an issue. I would think at this stage they would also want to make sure there is a heart beat.

I'm sorry you are going through all of this. It isn't fair of them to allow you to worry. If they don't think you should worry they should prove to you why. You are paying them right? I think you should insist they try something else. Worrying isn't good for you two.

I felt movement pretty early. Little 'tickles' deep inside. But that doesn't mean it is the same for everyone.

((((Hugs))))
doxiemom
15 years ago
I had problems with my second pregnancy. I was going to the doctor every 2 weeks until the last couple of months when I went every week. Apparently the placenta had moved until it was in the front of my uterus so they couldn't hear the heartbeat and I wasn't gaining much if any weight each time I went in--only gained 18 pounds for each pregnancy. Any way--long story, short--I had ultrasounds at least once a month--but usually after every visit because of the placenta moving. I had a very inactive baby too so I could go a long time with no movement at all. I hope you call the doctor and they can get you in for peace of mind. Good luck. Sheila

Question about hearing baby's heartbeat.....

Comments (15)

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