12 week ultrasound. My story

[Loki]

my wife is 12 weeks pregnant and we went to get her 12 week ultrasound and down syndrome test the other day.

We were so excited to see our little baby floating around in there that we forgot to ask to HEAR the baby's heartbeat. The tech TOLD us that the baby's heartbeat was fine, that it was 163 beats a minute, or whatever measurement they use, but she didnt offer to let us hear it, and we forgot to ask.

Do we need to go back and ask to hear the heartbeat, or does seeing it beat, and measure the rate suffice?

I am super pissed off that we forgot to ask to hear it. I suppose the tech wasnt thinking either.

 

[Katherine]

I think it should be OK. You saw the heartbeat, and they have measured it. The baby is fine!

Congrats, by the way!

 

[Loki]

I think it should be OK. You saw the heartbeat, and they have measured it. The baby is fine!

Congrats, by the way!

Thanks so much! Its really refreshing to find someone who can offer sound advice AND wish you well while on the internet.

I really appreciate your response!

 

[mommy-in-june]

Hey there... the same thing happened to me at 8 1/2 weeks. I guess I assumed maybe they thought we couldn't hear at that point... but they did measure the rate at 172 bpm. That made me happy, but I was still disappointed I didn't get to hear. I figured that would have to suffice until I have my next one... Do you know when she'll be able to have another?

 

[Loki]

Hey there... the same thing happened to me at 8 1/2 weeks. I guess I assumed maybe they thought we couldn't hear at that point... but they did measure the rate at 172 bpm. That made me happy, but I was still disappointed I didn't get to hear. I figured that would have to suffice until I have my next one... Do you know when she'll be able to have another?

Our next appt isnt until early feb when we have the gender scan. You want to hear something else weird? The woman who did the ultrasound said to us "even though you are only 12 weeks, I am experienced enough to say I think I know what you are having, but I dont want to say yet because I want to be entirely sure." That made me think its a boy, my rationale being, his willy must be sticking out, even if its only at 12 weeks.

Hearing the heartbeat is not on the top of the list of my priorities, and would only be so if we had not seen the heartbeat and the rate on ultrasound. I dont know that it is, which is why I am annoyed, and asking, seeking guidance.

 

[mommy-in-june]

LOL!

I have to wait for my gender scan to hear as well. If hearing the heartbeat were an absolutely integral part of the process at this stage, they would make sure to do it. They only seemed interested with seeing/measuring in my case too.

Congrats on being a daddy, btw!

 

[Loki]

LOL!

I have to wait for my gender scan to hear as well. If hearing the heartbeat were an absolutely integral part of the process at this stage, they would make sure to do it. They only seemed interested with seeing/measuring in my case too.

Congrats on being a daddy, btw!

thanks! its my first, and I hope its a boy!

 

[WTTMommy]

We forgot to ask to hear it at my first 12 week appt too. It completely slipped our mind. She told us there was a healthy heart beat and we saw it pumping, but we just assumed she would let us listen... and she didn't, and we didnt' ask.

I had to come back for better measurements the following week and this was on the top of my list. It was amazing to hear it, even more amazing than seeing it for us.

Good luck and congrats on your boy.

 

[Loki]

We forgot to ask to hear it at my first 12 week appt too. It completely slipped our mind. She told us there was a healthy heart beat and we saw it pumping, but we just assumed she would let us listen... and she didn't, and we didnt' ask.

I had to come back for better measurements the following week and this was on the top of my list. It was amazing to hear it, even more amazing than seeing it for us.

Good luck and congrats on your boy.

Thanks so much for the well-wishes. I dont know that its a boy yet, but I am hoping it is.

The baby was measuring a bit big though. My wife was 11w 6d on the day we went, but the measurement of the baby was more like 12w 4d. Hmmmm

And thanks again for being so nice!

 

[Freyasmum]

I've never heard of anyone hearing the heartbeat at an scan here. I think seeing it and having that measurement should be reassurance enough.
Do you not have appointments in between now and the next scan with a midwife or specialist? I see my midwife every 4 weeks for now, and she always listens to the heartbeat. It is lovely to hear it.

The sonographer may have seen the 'nub'. I think at around 12 weeks it's a little early to see any actual genitals, but if you are experienced, and get the right shot, it can be possible to tell from the angle of the nub. If you look in Second Trimester, or maybe even First, you should be able to see some threads talking about it.

Congrats, by the way, and welcome to BnB!

 

[Loki]

I've never heard of anyone hearing the heartbeat at an scan here. I think seeing it and having that measurement should be reassurance enough.
Do you not have appointments in between now and the next scan with a midwife or specialist? I see my midwife every 4 weeks for now, and she always listens to the heartbeat. It is lovely to hear it.

The sonographer may have seen the 'nub'. I think at around 12 weeks it's a little early to see any actual genitals, but if you are experienced, and get the right shot, it can be possible to tell from the angle of the nub. If you look in Second Trimester, or maybe even First, you should be able to see some threads talking about it.

Congrats, by the way, and welcome to BnB!

Thanks so much. I think the whole thing is amazing and I plan on being involved in every aspect of it. I know this little baby is a tenacious litle bugger, just waiting to be born, and I cant wait.

I figured that seeing the HB and getting the rate was good enough, but I wasnt sure: now I am.

What the absolute earliest that gender can be predicted? I am super curious

 

[Katherine]

Maybe she is talking about the old wives' tale: "if your unborn baby's heart rate is higher, above 140 beats per minute, that means you're carrying a girl. A lower heart rate below 140 bpm means you're having a boy."

This has been scientifically proved wrong, so there is still a good change that you will get the boy you are hoping for!!! Keep your fingers crossed!!!

 

[Jasa1911]

Hi Sorry to jump on out of the blue.

At all of my scans (Bar the private one at 9 weeks) no one has offered to let me hear the HB, no one has even measured it (Maybe its differnt in the UK)?

But I have rented a doppler, and we look for Baby's HB every 2 days or so and the sound NEVER gets old! Its such a reasuring thing to hear. Maybe if you were in a position to rent or buy one, this would be a lovely option for you both to hear baby whenever the mood takes you.

Congratulations and I hope you get ur little boy xx

 

[wannabemamma]

As far as I knew the HB isn't audible until 16 wks? Not sure where I heard that though.

 

[Loki]

Hi Sorry to jump on out of the blue.

At all of my scans (Bar the private one at 9 weeks) no one has offered to let me hear the HB, no one has even measured it (Maybe its differnt in the UK)?

But I have rented a doppler, and we look for Baby's HB every 2 days or so and the sound NEVER gets old! Its such a reasuring thing to hear. Maybe if you were in a position to rent or buy one, this would be a lovely option for you both to hear baby whenever the mood takes you.

Congratulations and I hope you get ur little boy xx

We are in the US.

 

[BrookieG]

i think its utterly adorable and so refreshing to hear from a man! All you seem to read on this forum is how our other halves are either annoying us, being mean or just not seeming interested!!! Well done you being so involved and excited! this baby is one lucky bub!!! My hubby is the same and is so involved asking loads of questions!!! More men should follow in your footsteps!! as for hearing the heartbeat ive never been offered to hear it and have never been told the heart rate either, just that its nice n healthy!!!! Enjoy the rest of the pregnancy!!! xx

 

[Loki]

i think its utterly adorable and so refreshing to hear from a man! All you seem to read on this forum is how our other halves are either annoying us, being mean or just not seeming interested!!! Well done you being so involved and excited! this baby is one lucky bub!!! My hubby is the same and is so involved asking loads of questions!!! More men should follow in your footsteps!! as for hearing the heartbeat ive never been offered to hear it and have never been told the heart rate either, just that its nice n healthy!!!! Enjoy the rest of the pregnancy!!! xx

I cook for my wife, make sure she's comfy at night, have even bought baby clothes on my own, I bought a pram, I research her nutrition, make sure she takes her prenatals and DHA on time, make her her favorite breakfast (pancakes and turkey bacon) when she's feeling down, and guess what? She still has the raw end of the deal. She's the one that has to carry that baby and watch her body change. My mom and dad got divorced when I was very young, and my mom made sure my brother and I learned to cook, clean, and more importantly, she taught us that women are to be put up on a pedestal.

 

[BrookieG]

your an inspiration to men!!!!! Your wife is one lucky woman!!! I do believe upbringing has a lot to do with the type of parent you'll be. My hubby never knew his dad and knows how thats made him feel so he's determined to make sure he's the best dad he can possibly be!!! i do mean it your gonna be a truly awesome dad!!! congrats! x

 

[Loki]

your an inspiration to men!!!!! Your wife is one lucky woman!!! I do believe upbringing has a lot to do with the type of parent you'll be. My hubby never knew his dad and knows how thats made him feel so he's determined to make sure he's the best dad he can possibly be!!! i do mean it your gonna be a truly awesome dad!!! congrats! x

Thanks. What I neglected to tell you is that I inherited my mother's lightning quick temper! LOL I can say mean things, but even my propensity to do that has been tempered by the pregnancy: I now see my wife as this ultra-special creature who deserves every type of pampering that is conceivable to mankind!

 

[1babygirl1987]

i think its utterly adorable and so refreshing to hear from a man! All you seem to read on this forum is how our other halves are either annoying us, being mean or just not seeming interested!!! Well done you being so involved and excited! this baby is one lucky bub!!! My hubby is the same and is so involved asking loads of questions!!! More men should follow in your footsteps!! as for hearing the heartbeat ive never been offered to hear it and have never been told the heart rate either, just that its nice n healthy!!!! Enjoy the rest of the pregnancy!!! xx

I cook for my wife, make sure she's comfy at night, have even bought baby clothes on my own, I bought a pram, I research her nutrition, make sure she takes her prenatals and DHA on time, make her her favorite breakfast (pancakes and turkey bacon) when she's feeling down, and guess what? She still has the raw end of the deal. She's the one that has to carry that baby and watch her body change. My mom and dad got divorced when I was very young, and my mom made sure my brother and I learned to cook, clean, and more importantly, she taught us that women are to be put up on a pedestal.

Im so jealous! im bringing up my boy the exact same way, to respect women! think you should give my OH a few tips he doesnt have a clue. still love him (when my hormones havent taken over lol) but would be nice for some help! anyway sorry for moving off the subject, Congrats! and i dont think we hear heartbeats here in UK but might be worth asking at the 12 week scan see if we can, dont ask dont get i suppose lol x