First Doppler and no heartbeat :-/

Chelsey - posted on 01/23/2010

At 15 weeks I had the much the same problem, it was very difficult to find the heart beat but we knew from a previous ultrasound that the placenta was anterior. But it really is reassuring when you can hear that little humming bird heart beat =)

Krista - posted on 01/23/2010

I figured the placenta played a big role. Glad to know that everything is okay for you!

Lauren - posted on 01/23/2010

Also the placenta was right in front of the baby so that must have made it hard

Cindy - posted on 01/20/2010

Lauren I'm so relieved for you! I had the same problem though. My husband had come with me to hear the heartbeat and, like you, we couldn't hear it with the Doppler. Luckily there was an old ultrasound machine in the room so the doctor said, "Well, since we have company, let's go ahead and do it this way". Come to find out that my placenta was in the way! After my last visit, the nurse practitioner said, "Hmm, sounds like a girl to me!" after hearing a very distinct, even heartbeat via Doppler. No worries for the future, you'll get to hear it and feel every bit of it VERY soon! It's nerve-wracking, but go with the flow and you'll be better off.

Lauren - posted on 01/18/2010

I went in today and no heartbeat again :-/ I was soooo sick to my stomache! Luckily they had an opening for an ultrasound an hour after my dx appt. I went in and they found the baby kicking and punching away and jumping around inside of me!!! It was the most amazing feeling ever! Heartbeat at 149 and perfectly healthy! Just a bit of a mover that is why they couldn't find the heartbeat!! I have a feeling I am going to be getting kicked a lot in the near future!

Ashley - posted on 01/11/2010

A midwife couldn't find a heartbeat on the doppler at 11 weeks (I'd had a normal ultrasound at 8 weeks) and I started to get worried...so I got a sonographer friend to do a quick scan at work and she found the baby right away, heartbeat and all. Right now it looks like I have an anterior placenta (on the front of the uterus, rather than top or back) and the baby must have just been hiding behind the placenta. The midwife said it's pretty common not to find a heartbeat that early. Keep feeling better!

Lauren - posted on 01/11/2010

Thanks everyone!!! I feel a lot better!! I still cannot wait until next week to be 100% sure everything is perfect!

Kat - posted on 01/10/2010

I had a similar issue last week, two Dr's could not find heart beat. Went to see Obst & she said would have to be an absolute expert & perfect conditions to hear heart on doppler before 14 weeks. I was 13w3d at the time & she could only hear the cord flow, so we heart a look at the heart on the monitor & all was fine. I wouldn't worry, 12 weeks was more than likely too soon which is why Dr was not worried as well.

Liz - posted on 01/10/2010

I had a friend who they could never get the heartbeat on the doppler. They had to do a sonogram every time she went in! It had something to do with her uterus being tilted. Prayers!

Krista - posted on 01/10/2010

Quoting Lauren:

No not yet I am going in about a week or so from now to get another doppler. I read online that there is a 50/50 chance that they can find it this early and the baby may be hiding.....they will do an ultrasound if they can't find it next week, but I am worried! I know they can't do anything about it, but I already had an ultrasound and it was good....I also had a bunch of blood tests, but I haven't heard anything bad about them.....I am hoping they just didn't find it because the baby was hiding!

It also has to do with how big you are and where your placenta is lying.  I have a fetal doppler at home and I wasn't able to hear the baby's heart beat until last Sunday.  I'll be 13 weeks on Tuesday.

Just so you know, if you're worried and want to monitor your baby, you can find fetal doppler's online for about 100 -150 bucks.  Check it out on Ebay.  :)

Lauren - posted on 01/10/2010

Thanks everyone!! I was reading up on it more and I feel a lot better (albeit I am still nervous). I am just sick of the first trimester it seems to be so worrysome! Maybe it is because it is my first and I have no idea what is good and what is bad!! :-) I will keep everyone updated!

Jalnena - posted on 01/10/2010

i agree its hard not to feel sick about it but the baby was prob hiding it is hard to find the beat would have been easier at your scan. you can buy those doppler things im from new zealand we can buy them anyway so you can check for yourself! and for the rest of your pregnancy some have recorders on them so you can keep it GOOD LUCK :) im 13 weeks preg we are close hehe ! :)

Shaina - posted on 01/09/2010

Don't worry. The baby is still very small and can be hard to find with the Doppler this early. With my first, the doctor couldn't find the baby on the Doppler until 14-16 weeks.

La - posted on 01/09/2010

I know it's easy for me to say "don't worry too much" because there is a chance it could go either way (could be good or bad), but don't make yourself upset by worrying. Wait until you hear from your doc and take it from there. I'm sorry that you have to be hanging in limbo with this right now. Best of luck to you!

Lauren - posted on 01/09/2010

No not yet I am going in about a week or so from now to get another doppler. I read online that there is a 50/50 chance that they can find it this early and the baby may be hiding.....they will do an ultrasound if they can't find it next week, but I am worried! I know they can't do anything about it, but I already had an ultrasound and it was good....I also had a bunch of blood tests, but I haven't heard anything bad about them.....I am hoping they just didn't find it because the baby was hiding!

La - posted on 01/09/2010

Are they ordering more tests for you? They going to do an ultrasound to see what's going on?