He couldn't hear the heartbeat?

Question

I had my first ultrasound at 8 weeks (due to an issue at work... I got hit and had to go to the ER). Anyways- the ultrasound came back wonderful. The baby was fine and had a very strong heartbeat.

Now, I'm 12 weeks along, and figured the Dr. would be able to hear the baby's heartbeat by now, but my last appt. (which was three days ago), he wasn't able to hear anything. I told him I had an ultrasound, and he called for the results. He said everything looked fine and the baby was doing great... but how come he couldn't hear anything?

When were you able to hear your baby's heart for the first time? Would something be wrong if you couldn't hear it at 12 weeks? I know I'm 12 weeks, because I had a dating scan which confirmed this at 8 weeks. My due date is 6/28/08. At the facility I go to, they won't do your first ultrasound until you're about 20 weeks, unless you have complications like previous miscarriage, they suspect something's wrong, etc. I'm just kinda worried.

Answer 1

With the doppler you probably wont be able to hear it until around 14 weeks, sometimes they can get it as early as 10 but depends on where the baby is, with my first we could hear doppler loud and clear at 11 weeks, but she was much higher in my uterus, this lil bean was almost 15 and still trying to hide behind my pubic bone so they could not get a steady heartbeat on doppler although we had already seen her on ultrasound and knew she was alright. If you are very worried insist on it, that is a complication, suspecting something is wrong due to lack of heartbeat. Best of luck

Answer 2

Don't worry. My baby was moving so much all the time I didn't get to hear the heartbeat until I was 19 weeks. However, I knew he was okay because I have had 3 ultrasounds so far. When my doctor couldn't find the heartbeat at 16 weeks she did an ultrasound on the spot to confirm everything was okay. My 20 weeks ultrasound (which I actually had at 19 weeks) went great and at the follow-up with my personal OB she found the heart. If at your next appointment they can't find the heartbeat beg and plead for an ultrasound to confirm everything is okay. I'm now 22 weeks and my baby is kicking up a storm so now I don't have to worry because I can feel him moving all the time. Now that you are 12 weeks you are past the time most women have a miscarriage. Good luck!

Answer 3

It's very common to have trouble hearing the heartbeat early on, even with a doppler. I was just reading a thread on the Ovusoft boards where people 20+ weeks along had trouble locating a heartbeat.

A lot of it can depend on what position the baby is in at any given time. I'm 21 weeks and haven't heard the HB with my fetoscope. Baby is breech and very far back, which is probably why.

Don't fret too much. If the doctor was that concerned they can order another ultrasound to make sure. Pretty soon the baby will be kicking, which is a constant reminder that things are great.

Answer 4

Not uncommon for it to be a little hard to find heartbeat using fetal doppler even at 12 weeks. We were able to find/hear strong heart-beat at 8 weeks (using home or doctor's handheld fetal doppler) and almost every other day thereafter.

it is very ununsual for first ultrasound to be so late (at 20 weeks). Typically, first ultrasound is around 12-14 weeks for transnuchal fold measurement - this typically is not done after 16 weeks.

Next ultrasound (anatomical scan) is usually at 20 weeks.

if you are at all still worried, perhaps buy one of those handheld doppler (it is roughly $125) from amazon, or go see a doctor again and try to get another doppler (or ultrasound) done.

Good luck.

Answer 5

I heard my baby's heartbeat at 6 weeks (via vaginal ultrasound, 110 bpm), at 10 weeks (in the ER on an abdominal ultrasound, 157 bpm). I had to go to the ER because I started bleeding bright red blood and was sure it was a miscarriage.

Then, at my 11 week checkup a week after the ER trip, the doctor couldn't find the heartbeat with the hand-held doppler. She tried for over 30 minutes to listen and find it, but had no luck, so she sent me in for an abdominal ultrasound, and we heard it at 164 bpm. Long story short, my baby was perfectly healthy and moving all around even though there was no heart beat detected with the stethascope.

To my understanding, 11-12 weeks is still early for the heart beat to be detected through a hand-held doppler on the belly. My doctor just gave me the ultrasound to ease my mind after the whole ER incident took place a week earlier. If your doctor didn't pose any reason for concern, then I wouldn't stress over it.

Answer 6

I'm 24 weeks and have had many ultrasounds and have heard the heartbeat numerous times. Yesterday I was at the hospital and they couldn't find a heartbeat, so they hooked up an ultrasound and we could see the heart beating. Try not to worry, sometimes it just won't pick it up I guess, maybe the position the baby is in or something.

Answer 7

I would really press for an ultrasound. 20 weeks!! That's no good! Talk to your doc and INSIST that you want and need an ultrasound to ensure everything is okay with baby and to alleviate your fears. I think if you really press the issue they will order an ultrasound for you. PS, if you are heavyset then you might have to wait longer to hear the heartbeat. That would be a reason why they couldn't hear the heartbeat. Good luck and I hope everything's okay with you ;)

Answer 8

It's totally ok. I say that because your doctor said the baby is doing great. If he hadn't said that, I'd be concerned. This actually happened to me, and I was around 12 weeks also... freaked me out, so I understand that part... 3 different techs tried and couldn't find it... i was a mess by this time, crying and thinking my baby had passed... the 4th person to try couldn't find it, so they scheduled an "emergency" ultrasound. my daughter was just fine... floating away and her heartbeat was great. definitely scared the life out of me, though, but everything ended up being just fine. so, if the doc says your baby is ok, then everything should be fine. i think this happens to quite a few women:)

Answer 9

This happened to me too early on. The doctor sent me straight back to get another ultrasound and everything was fine. The baby was just in a spot that the doctor could not hear his heart beat. It was scary for him not to be able to find the heart beat for me too. All sorts of bad thoughts ruin through your mind. My baby is due March 28 and all is good now. I am sure your will be too.

Answer 10

I saw the heartbeat at 6 weeks & it was VERY TOUGH to hear the heartbeat at 12 weeks. The Dr. actually told me that she may not be able to find it yet. Don't worry. If the Dr. was worried, you would have had another ultrasound