Does anyone know . . . .

[nictickle19]

what is the earliest that the midwife will try to listen for a heartbeat?

I have my first midwife appointment on weds at 10 + 4 and I was wondering if they will try to listen?

Thanks ladies

xx

 

[tigs]

Noone has taken my babies heartrate yet...

I dont think it can be clearly heard - until later - so they probably dont so as not to worry you...

HTH

 

[Widget]

They heard my baby's heartbeat at around 7+2 with the ultrasound... however if the midwife is using the doppler you may not hear a heartbeat until MUCH later... like 10+ weeks. They say not to use home dopplers until 12+ weeks just to avoid unnecessary worry if you cant find a heartbeat.

 

[laura3103]

its normally from around 18 weeks they listen to babys heartbeat or after your 20 week scan.x

 

[KandyKinz]

It really varies with who each individual midwife/doctor. I know some that will listen as early as 10 weeks (but will warn the client that there is still a chance that you won't hear it because baby is still small), some will do it starting 12 weeks, some wait till 14 weeks, some wait till 16 weeks. Technically you can begin to pick up the HR on doppler as early as 8 weeks though at that time it is more common to not find then find it. At 10 weeks the chance is about 50/50. Body type also tends to play a role. The smaller you are the earlier you'll hear baby.

Anyways, if you wanna hear it though JUST ASK and do let her know that you're aware that at 10 weeks there's a chance that you won't hear the heart rate and reassure her that you won't freak out... Cause that's why most care providers avoid listening early on... to avoid unnecessary freak outs!

 

[mommy2lexi]

My daughters heartbeat was picked up by doppler around 10-11 weeks at our first appt.

After that point they used the doppler at each appt. I had.....so it's def. possible

 

[lulu35]

my MW first tried to hear the heartbeat with a doppler at 16 weeks and got it first time x

 

[ShanandBoc]

16 weeks with my midwife. She said more often that not any earlier the baby is too small and you cant hear it, which of course makes mum panic so she refused to do it any earlier.

Guess you have to be prepared for them not hearing it if you try earlier, which would be quite upsetting xo

 

[Lilly12]

I think it's so weird that some midwives don't try to listen to the HB before 16!! weeks.
I found my baby with our home doppler at 8w6d and been hearing it every time I try and listen.

My midwife tried to listen @ our 8 week appointment but couldn't find it yet.

She'll use the doppler every time from now on.

 

[KandyKinz]

I think it's so weird that some midwives don't try to listen to the HB before 16!! weeks.
I found my baby with our home doppler at 8w6d and been hearing it every time I try and listen.

My midwife tried to listen @ our 8 week appointment but couldn't find it yet.

She'll use the doppler every time from now on.

But if that's you in your avatar you're also a skinny mini!!! Size frequently matters when it comes to listening to the heartbeat early on!

But I agree waiting till 16 weeks is a little excessive and in my not good care management... Waiting until 12 weeks I understand as before then the chance of hearing it is only 50/50 but the reality of it is at 12 weeks you should be able to hear the heart rate with a hospital grade doppler! When I was training as a midwifery student it was standard to check the heart rate at that gestation and if we couldn't find it they'd be booked for a u/s to confirm viability.

 

[tinkerbellkj]

My doctor said they will not try the doppler until 12 weeks.

 

[ShanandBoc]

They check the heartbeat at the 12 week scan anyway

Personally, i think its good care that they wait till they are sure they will be able to locate it rather than put the mother through unnecessary worry and stress.

They would do it earlier i am sure if there werent cases of this happening.

 

[nictickle19]

Thanks for all your help ladies

I know bubs is ok cos we had a scan at 9+3 and saw lo wriggling and waving but it would obviously be lush to hear a heartbeat From all the different care everyones had it looks like I'll wait and see!

Cheers lovelies xx