hi, when did your midwife listen to babys heartbeat?

Question

i went to routine 16 week appt last week and she was in a rush running late and i asked her if she was going to listen to the heartbeat and she said no not till after 20 weeks? is this normally the case? thanks for answering.

Answer 1

No, my midwife listened to the heart beat at my 12 week appointment, and then every appointment after.

Answer 2

It is difficult although not impossible to hear a babies heartbeat using a doppler before 12 weeks, however, they can be heard quite clearly at 16 weeks using the same equipment. It is unusual for midwives these days not to have a doppler, but, with the NHS the way it is nothing is impossible. If she only had a pinards (a little trumpet ) then it is almost impossible to pick up a 16 week fetus. If your midwife has a doppler she should have listened, this is an essential part of an antenatal exam. See what happens next time, if she refuses again ask her why, or, if she pulls out her doppler ask her why she didn't listen last time. If your'e not happy with her answer or her attitude complain.

Answer 3

My midwife check the babies heartbeat every time I saw her from 10 weeks till birth. I thought it was standard practice not only to make sure the baby is ok but also reassure the mother. Go and buy a heartbeat listener I think they are £30 - £100, just for peace of mind cause i dont think I could wait another month not knowing if my baby's heart is beating.

Answer 4

Hey! Midwives generally DO have a listen for the baby's heartbeat, but every midwife's practice is different.

I can truly understand your wanting to hear your babys' heartbeat though, so I'd make another appointment with your GP or even with a nurse to hear the baby for peace of mind and so it can go into your red antenatal care book.

As a guide though, my midwife began listening to the baby's heartbeat at every appointment from the 16 week mark, which was the next scheduled appointment I had with her following the dating scan.

Answer 5

At my first visit, they estimated I was about 9 weeks. She did listen to the heartbeat, one indication I was as far along as I was. She listened to the heartbeat at every visit. I've only seen one person, so I don't know what is normal for others. But her being in a rush wasn't good, even if she's late she should still be taking time with each patient.

Answer 6

I've never had a midwife, but my OB has listened to the heartbeat at all checkups with all of my pregnancies. If your midwife uses a stethoscope instead of a Doppler, the stethoscope doesn't really pick up heartbeat until the 20th week or so.

Answer 7

NO! My midwife has listened to the heartbeat at every appt. since my 9 week ultrasound.

Answer 8

I went to my midwife at 16 weeks and she said that it can be hard at that stage to hear an audible heartbeat. I think that she still could have tried though. As it happens we did hear the heartbeat quite clearly.

Answer 9

hi they dont listen to your scan until 16 weeks (or the appointment after your booking appointment whichever comes first). they dont listen to it at your booking appointment (usually betwwen 10 and 12 weeks) as its sometimes to early to detect using a doppler and do not want to cause any unnessasery concern for the mum to be. the next appoinment you have after that (usually at 14 - 16 weeks) she will listen to your babies heartbeat, they have to do this and document it in your maternity notes, they also ask you for a wee sample to check sugars and protien etc and they also do blood pressure, these are done at every appointment and checking for babies heart beat and later on in pregnancy asking if feotal movement was felt are also done at every pregnancy if your midwife has fobbed you of go and see your doctor, there will be proof on your notes and the midwifes/doctors surgery notes of your appontment and there will also be no documented feotal heart beat heard on your notes, tell him that your midwife did not perform this check and you now feel that the midwife is not doing an adequate job of ensuring yur baby is healthy. granted you midwife may have been in a rush (as a majority of them are due to shortage of midwives) but this does not mean she should skip vital checks. good luck in getting the proper care for you and your unborn child

Answer 10

Perhaps she is not using ultrasound. Some doctors and midwives don't use it. My doctor never did. Without ultrasound it is impossible to hear the heartbeat before 20 weeks. With my first one, I was 33 weeks along before they were able to hear the heartbeat. They tried earlier, but could not hear it. I was usually about 25 weeks along before they could hear the heartbeat.