He told me to come back in two weeks and we would do some blood work. I am not bleeding are having any signs that the baby is in distress. Why couldn't he find the heartbeat?
2007-03-15 12:19:44 · 19 answers · asked by scerkoney 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Don't panic just yet. I'm sure you're stressed and worried but there are a couple of things to consider. First of all you did not indicate how the Dr tried to find the heartbeat. Was it an ultrasound? Or was s/he trying to listen to the heartbeat with a doppler? If the Dr was trying to find it w/a doppler (which I suspect would have to be the case at 10weeks if they're just telling you to come back in 2 weeks) there are many factors which could make it difficult to hear.
First of all remeber that at 10weeks your baby is only about an inch long, making its tiny heart even smaller. If you were overweight or carry a lot of abdominal fat or if the placenta is located in the front of your uterus or if your uterus is tipped backward the doctor may not be able to find the heartbeat this early. Also if you have longer or irregular menstrual cycles you could be less than 10 weeks pregnant making the heart even smaller to detect. Most doctors will tell you up until 14 weeks that they will "try" to hear the heartbeat, but not to be alarmed if they don't hear it yet as you're early.
After suffering from one miscarrige I rented a doppler to use at home when I got pregnant this time. You might want to try doing that. At home by yourself with all the time in the world you just might find the hb, sometimes it only takes a day's worth of growth to make the difference. In the meantime you might want to ask for blood work to see if your HCG levels(hormone sometimes also called beta levels) are on track or for an ultrasound for reassurance. You might also want to reach out on the myriad of pregnancy bulletin boartds out there to talk to other women who have gone through or are going through this right now. My fav is twoweekwait.com
Good luck. I'm wishing the best for you and your baby.
2007-03-15 12:35:36 · answer #1 · answered by intellegntsia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first time they were able to find the heartbeat was when I was 14 weeks. They tried at 10 weeks but couldn't find it, so the dr. sent me for an u/s and I got to see the heartbeat. Call your dr back and ask his opinion. Better give yourself peace of mind instead of stressing about it. If he thought something was wrong with your baby then he would not be waiting 2 weeks and he would've sent you for an u/s so I am sure you are fine. I know what it's like worry. Good luck and congrats!!!
2007-03-15 20:03:10 · answer #2 · answered by k 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If he thought that you are miscarrying I would only have to assume that he would have told you that might be a definite possibility. I guess he didn't find the heartbeat cause you are very early in the pregnancy. What did he use? If he used an ultra sound machine that I would have to say that isn't a good sign. If he used a doppler than this is pretty common.
Why don't you call the dr's office and ask him exactly what he wants you to come back for in 2 weeks? Ask him if he thinks you had a misscarriage....etc.
Good Luck to you
2007-03-15 19:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by krYpToNitEsMoM 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even when you are far enough along that a heartbeat should be heard if the baby is turned the wrong way or hiding behind say your bladder or under your rib cage or something the heartbeat is harder to detect.
Only when the baby increases in size is the heartbeat easily detected.
Good luck and let me know how things are going. I will remember you in prayer.
2007-03-15 19:27:03 · answer #4 · answered by Mee-Maw 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A 10 week fetus is tiny, and you have to be right on top of it with the Doppler to get the heartbeat. Sometimes it's just hard to find.
10 weeks is just about the earliest that it can be heard with the hand-held doppler. If your dates are off by even a few days, that can make the difference.
If you are even the slightest bit overweight, it can be harder to hear it.
If your uterus is retroverted (tipped back) then it often can't be heard until 12 weeks.
So, there are plenty of explanations to why they couldn't hear it. There's nothing to be done. Just try to relax, and wait and see.
Good luck!
2007-03-15 19:29:25 · answer #5 · answered by who me? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not at all my doctor heard my babys heartbeat at 10 weeks and then at 12 weeks couldnt then 13 weeks could it depends on how the baby is positioned and maybe its to early to hear it dont freak your self out ull see in 2 weeks im sure your baby isnt dead though just being stuborn
2007-03-15 19:27:33 · answer #6 · answered by la colombiana 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesn't neccessarily mean anything is wrong with the fetus. It just means that he couldn't pick up the heartbeat from the doppler device. A number of things could affect this, such as excess weight. He will probably want to do a blood test (to check your pregnancy hormone levels) and an ultrasound.
Don't panic, I'm sure things are ok....if they weren't he probably would have had you in for an ultrasound/blood tests sooner.
2007-03-15 19:26:00 · answer #7 · answered by Calista77 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be possible that maybe you arent as far along as you think you are. Ive also read that sometimes a doppler cant pick up the heartbeat until like the 12 week but i could be totally wrong on that one. I go in tomorrow(nearly 12 weeks) and am praying that we hear the heartbeat.
Good luck to you.
2007-03-15 19:24:37 · answer #8 · answered by pyxiegyrl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I know that sometimes early in pregnancy it is hard to find the heartbeat even when the baby is fine. Call the Dr back, sweetie! Don't worry about this for 2 more weeks!!
2007-03-15 19:24:28 · answer #9 · answered by jon jon's girl 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No it means nothing. It is VERY common for them not to be able to hear the heartbeat that early on. I had one at 10 weeks as well and my doc could not hear it either. He should have told you that. It is nothing to worry about. You are ok and so is the baby.... good luck.
2007-03-15 19:29:09 · answer #10 · answered by ShanaJ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋