Moms Who Have Experienced Fetal Heartbeats on the Late Side

Oh, I have been there...I had a sonogram that ended up being at five weeks (I wasn't sure if I was five weeks or nine weeks and was trying to determine the age of the pregnancy) that revealed that I had conceived twins. There were two sacs and one appeared completely empty and the other had fetal material in it, but no heartbeat. I was convinced that the empty sac was a vanishing twin because I had a little bleeding too, and I was very concerned about the other child as well. They took a blood test and found high hormone levels, but said that they could not say anything positive until I had another sonogram. So I scheduled one for the next week to be closer to the end of the six week point because I had read that sometimes a heartbeat doesn't show up until seven weeks. That day I couldn't even look at the sonogram screen at first, I was so nervous. But there they were, the two sacs were still there and this time they both had fetal material and they both had heartbeats! It is funny because everyone asks me about the moment I found out I was having twins like they are expecting to hear about some kind of freaking out session. Really it was one of the most amazing and happy moments of my life because I assumed from the first sonogram that I had already lost the second baby and I had no faith in "the empty sac," and her presence was like a little miracle.
But one thing I learned...even in this day and age there are limits to sonogram technology and if have one too early you can cause yourself some completely unneeded stress and anxiety. I am hoping for the best for you! Please let us know.

Most docs don't see you until the 8th week. I'm guessing, based on your experience, that perhaps that's when a heartbeat should definitely be detected. Just relax and wait.

M.,

I think it's too early for you to hear anything but soon! I didn't have early sonos with my first two so I didn't hear heart beats until the doppler picked it up at the usual later stage...about 12 weeks maybe? With my third though in 2007, they did an internal U/S at 5 or 6 weeks and we didn't hear or see anything except something that looked like a lima bean. They did another closer to 9 weeks and THEN we heard it. I wouldn't worry. :)

Congrats!

L.

Hi M.,
The same thing happened to me with my second (who is now 6 and begging me to stop typing and play with him, so I'll make this quick). I was 42 and had been trying for a while for my second. It took weeks of ultra sounds to finally find the heartbeat. I was reassured by the blood work, but nervous all the same. I think they finally found it at what I thought was week 9. Anyway, all I'm saying is not to stress too much and try to stay positive. I hope it helps to hear about other's similar experiences that turned out OK. My thoughts are with you, but I've got to go put a puzzle together now.
S.

Don't worry just yet. Doctors shouldnt even see a pregnant woman for her first visit until at least 8 weeks; otherwise they just freak us out. It is normal not to hear a heartbeat just yet, especially since it's just a bare estimate of how for along you are. A few days could make a difference. So don't worry yet, wait and go for the test next week. Your hormone levels are normal, there's a sac, i'm sure they'll find a heartbeat. When I was pregnant, there were times when the doctor couldn't find a heartbeat at 11 weeks, but it was there, he was either listening on the wrong side or just couldn't find it, or his doppler's batteries were low (really). But I knew it was there because I had a fetal doppler at home (I bought one after I had a miscarriage), so I wasn't freaking out. If you are going to be very sensitive about this or you don't know this doctor, get yourself a doppler (the one I used was called "HI Bebe Fetal Doppler"). I strongly recommend it to anyone, it gave me great peace of mind. Good luck, I'm sure all will be fine!!!

Hey M.,

The same thing happened to me with both of my pregnancies. I would be more concerned if your blood work was not good. My first pregnancy resulted in miscarriage because the blood work was bad and they could not find the heartbeat. Three months later I became pregnant with my son (who is now 24). My third pregnancy I spotted, they couldn't find the heartbeat and I ended up with a beautiful baby girl who will be 20 years old on Monday. I think you should stay positive and try to keep busy so you do not stress out ( I know easier said then done) Good luck to you and your growing family!!!!

It sounds like its so early in your pregnancy and its a positive sign that the last tech said she thinks she can hear one and your hormone levels were ok. Maybe you are just much earlier in the pregnancy than you realize. I'm sure you are super scared. I had a U/S I believe at 6 weeks b/c of light bleeding, it might have been more like the 7th I can't exactly remember - it was to rule out an ectopic pregnancy...thankfully I have a fabulous 2 year old little boy right now...its going to be a LONG week but hang in there, prayers and hugs, keep thinking positive and put that toward your new developing baby! Hopefully its just to early in your pregnancy to get an obvious heartbeat yet.

I am going through the same thing. My period was on March 28...no heartbeat 2 wks ago, so they changed the date, saying i probably had my dates wrong (which i know i didn't!)...Anyway waited 2 agonizing weeks and went in for sono at 7 wks, 2 days (thought i was 8) and, heartbeat! So, wait it out. As long as your numbers are good and they have the measurement from before, you have something to compare it to next time you go in. They ended up changing the due date and it is my 3-y/o's bday! crazy.

hi M., i might be wrong but i remember with my 1st i heard the heartbeat at 7 weeks, im pretty sure thats around average. try to be patient :)

Hang in there and try not to stress until there is absolute reason to. I had a similar experience a few years ago. Went in at 8 weeks pregnant and they couldn't find a heartbeat, so they made me wait an agonizing week for another u/s, and there was still no heartbeat, so I went in for the dreaded D&C.

I'm sending you lots of prayers! Hope everything will turn out okay.
Lynsey

My doctor wouldn't even see me until 9 weeks (I am 28 weeks now). The reason I was given was that they couldn't detect a heartbeat sooner than that.
But it sounds like they said that they could find the beginnings of a heartbeat in your tummy--so isn't that want you want to hear?
I have found that some doctors rely overwhelmingly on science equipment and some are less concerned about making your fetus fit neatly into what is EXACTLY supposed to be happening to a fetus of 40 days as long as things look like they are progressing normally. My due dates have always been calculated by the date of my last menstrual cycle. Whereas my friend, even though she tracked her ovulation, had a doctor that always has given her a later due date than her menstrual cycle date based on the baby's size, and consequently she has delivered 8 pound babies that were 2 weeks early. Go figure.
There is alot of variance in the process of baby making when it comes to size and what happens on specific days, but there are alot of doctors who don't recognize that. It sounds like everything is moving right along. No one has given you bad news.

I had this happen this time last year, I went in to have a u/s and i should have been able to see my daughter's heartbeat i was 6 weeks almost 7 and it wasn't there. I freaked out since i knew when i got pregnant. The doctor prepared me for the worse but sent me for blood tests to check my levels. I went home and waited to miscarry. I got a call the next day that asked how i was feeling and said that my counts were where they should be so lets do a second round. They just about doubled so they made me go a week after the first u/s and said we should see a heartbeat. And I did. My daughter seems to do things at her pace, she had to be induced and is now a happy healthy 4 month old. Good luck.

My sister-in-law had the same thing happen and was totally distraught and when she went back for the next ultrasound everything was fine...and she now has a healthy happy 6 year old!! That is why doctors should not do ultrasounds before 9 weeks!!! I am so sorry for your stress...try to stay calm and GOOD LUCK!!!

Try to relax and keep in mind that while we can "calculate" ovulation we cannot calculate exactly when you conceived. Use the "due date" your doctor gives you, not the one you calculate. The nurses had a really hard time finding my son's heartbeat throughout my pregnancy b/c of the placenta placement. I can also tell you that my sister went thru s/t similar and is expecting healthy twins in a couple of months!

dont worry just yet. same thing happened to me. could be you just conceived later than you thought. good luck!!!