Fetal Heartbeat

when i was pregnant with my 4th child, i was so impatient to hear the heartbeat at the ob that i rented a doppler to keep at home. i think i ws around 8-9 weeks when i first heard it but i had to put the doppler wand on my back to get it. maybe you could try that. and this way you could have the doppler at home to just hear it whenever you want. but, if you are really nervous, and you probably shouldn't be, ask for an u/s. this way you can at least see the heartbeat. good luck!

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Hi H.!
From what I know and understand it is very difficult to get a heart beat on a doppler before 12 weeks. There is definately a heart beat but its most easily seen on U/S. That is most likely why your doctor is bringing you back a 13 weeks. They should be able to hear it then for sure. G/L and congrats!!!

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I did not hear my second's heartbeat until around 14 weeks. I too was "worried" and reasured (by doc) that all was well. It was! She is now 3 1/2 and rotten as ever.

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With my second, they didn't hear the heartbeat until after 14 weeks. They sent me for an ultrasound, just to make sure at about 12 weeks because I freaked when they couldn't find it at 11 weeks. It was nothing to worry about. I have a tilted uterus and because of that, it makes the heartbeat harder to find. Don't worry at all about it; you'll hear it soon enough. ;-)

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Don't be worried! When I was pregnant with my 3rd baby, (13 years after my 2nd!) we didn't hear the heartbeat until about 15 weeks. I was told there are many factors that could prevent hearing a heartbeat sooner, such as scar tissue, baby hiding or facing backward, mom being a bit overweight, any number of things. I'm sure you'll hear it next time and put your fears to rest! Good luck, and let us know!

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H.,

I do not work in the medical profession, but I do have four children. I can tell you that I was a size 3 when I had my first 2 children and I heard the heartbeat really early. When I got pregnant with my third child I was 28 (this was six years after my second was born) and I couldn't hear the heartbeat at 12 weeks. I too was freaked out about it and the doctor scared me even more by having me go to the hospital for an emergency untrasound. I thought for sure something was wrong. As it turns out, I guess I just couldn't hear it because I wasn't as small as I had been with the first two. I didn't get to hear the heartbeat on the dopler until my next visit (at 16 weeks). Of course I had heard it at the ultrasound so I didn't continue to worry.

I hope that helps.

L.

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Hi H.!

I am no Doctor, but to me I would think at 11 weeks you'd hear a heartbeat. I have 2 little boys, and I was trying to remember when I heard theirs. I honestly can't remember. If the Doctor isn't worried though, I'd be okay until the next visit, then maybe I'd start questioning a bit more and maybe try another doctor. I had both a wonderful Doctor and a Doctor I fired bc his manners were horrible. Remember, this is your special time and it should be a happy one. You want as little stress as possible, especially if you are an older mother. I was 31 when I had my 2nd and I was high risk bc of age and diabetes. So take care of yourself and TRUST your instincts. My instincts saved both of my little boys. They say a mothers instincts are usually the right ones. Good Luck! And Congratulations on your marriage and your soon to be little bundle of joy!

Take Care
I.

"I love helping moms work from home. It's so rewarding!"

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If the doctor's not concerned with it than I wouldn't be either. Sometimes you can catch the heartbeat and sometimes you can't. It depends on the baby and the equipment. You should be able to hear it the next time you go. Have you have a sonogram yet??? If you haven't ask your doctor for one it will give you piece of mind because you may not be able to hear it but they will be able to show it to you. Good luck.

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Hi H. well i can say it does happen because my husband and i did not hear our daughter's heartbeat until she was almost 15.5 weeks so yes it is very common. I was at a panic for a while too but trust me things will go good and congrats to you and your family both!! I wish you the best with your pregnancy
nancyf

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I didn't hear either of my babies heart beat until after 11 weeks. I too was nervous but my doctor like yours was unfazed and simply said "next time."

Did you have an early ultrasound yet? If not, maybe your docor will agree to send you for an ultrasound to ease your mind.

Please try not to worry too much and I will say a special prayer for you and your little miracle.

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H.,

11 weeks can be early to hear the heartbeat, I think 12 is the norm so no I don't think you have anything to be worried about, that said who wouldn't worry. I would feel the same way, even though the drs & books say it's fine.

Try not to worry and please keep me posted on your f/u visit.

Good Luck.

S.

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I was 12 weeks at my last OB visit and my doctor warned me before trying to find the baby's heartbeat that it can be difficult, depending on the location of the baby, to hear the heartbeat before 14 weeks via the doppler. He wasn't able to get the heartbeat but said for the next visit it shouldn't be a problem...so don't be too worried.

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My 2nd son's heartbeat was hard to hear for several weeks also because my utures is inverted. I wouldn't worry. It happens often in 1st trimester! He's just fine, and 4 months old tomorrow!

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HMMM I'm not sure. I suppose if the Dr. wasn't worried then don't stress. I'm just suprised they didn't do an ultrasound to make sure everything looked ok.
With my first baby we heard the heartbeat at 12 weeks (I think) and with this pregnancy I had an ultrasound where we saw the baby & heard the heartbeat at 8 weeks & heard the heartbeat each month thereafter.

Good luck!

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Hi H.!
I had the same thing happen with my third child. I went in around 10-11 weeks and they couldn't hear the heartbeat. My doctor didn't seem to concerned either. (He's been practicing close to 20 years). I was a little worried because I had always heard the other two's heartbeat at each visit. (My 3rd will be one next week - and the other two are 7 & 9 so like you, there was a bit of a gap.... long enough to forget everything!) My doctor had an ultrasound machine in his office so he quickly put me on that & there was my son flip flopping around like a little fish. He said because the baby was so active & little that may be why he couldn't pick up a heartbeat. Everything was fine & it really eased my mind. They didn't have any more problems at the next visits picking it up. I wouldn't worry too much about it - easier said then done I know. Also, don't try those ones you can buy at Walmart - they don't ever pick up anything.... a lot of times it's your heartbeat you hear. If the doctor can't get it, ask about an ultrasound. Anyway, take care & happy pregnancy!

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I didn't hear my daughters heartbeat until 13 weeks as well. Some times if you are a "little" bit heavier you can't hear it as early as someone who is super thin.

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