The doctor couldn't locate babies heartbeat at 12 week appointment: Advice?

The question went for a 12-week prenatal visit today got blood work etc. however, they couldn’t locate baby heartbeat with Doppler they sometimes said the baby is so small at this point that it happens just wondering if it happened to anyone else before or should I be worried!!!

6 Likes

Ultrasound at this gestation

1 Like

If you’re a bigger girl that can happen. I am a bigger girl and it was such a pain in the ass trying to use the doppler. They ended up ultrasounding me most of the time anyway, since I was high-risk.

1 Like

It happens don’t freak out just yet wait a couple weeks then when you go back they’ll recheck you. This happened to me with my first baby I was Abt 14 or 15 weeks before we started hearing his heartbeat regularly

1 Like

Yes I did rhey could only do it on the readable heart rate monitor eith rhe ultra sound, usually yes u should b able to hear it however sometimes the baby is to small or is to far back in ur spine

1 Like

I wouldn’t worry about it. It’s not audible until 10 weeks or after and you may or may not be exactly 12 weeks. Wait until next visit before you worry.

1 Like

Sorry to say, the only time this has happened to me is when I was miscarrying. I have had 5 miscarriages and 6 successful pregnancies (well almost anyway, I’m currently 30 weeks w the last one).
I’ve heard of it happening and still resulting in a perfectly healthy pregnancy tho so hopefully that’s what it is this time:)

2 Likes

Well, no matter what anyone says hun you’re going to worry. Try to stay positive and if need be talk to your Dr. Again about it.

They never really use the Doppler on me till I’m about 15-16 weeks along they always say before those weeks it can be hard to find. They usually do a sonogram to see/hear it before those weeks for me.

1 Like

Don’t worry dopplers don’t always pick up the heart beat that early. If concerned, they will get you in for a sonogram

At my 13ish week appointment they couldn’t find a heartbeat with the Doppler, just have to wait a little longer! Don’t panic :slightly_smiling_face:

Thats normal 2 of my kiddos was about 16 weeks in office but it does depend on where baby is laying

My daughter hid every single time, literally had to get an ultrasound at every appointment. She was just a stinker

That happened to me at my 13 week appointment; the doctor tried to locate the baby with the Doppler and he could not pick up on the heartbeat. The doctor sent me over for a ultrasound and the ultrasound tech said that my son was just very active and that could have been why the doctor had a hard time locating the heartbeat

They could never catch my youngest heartbeat through out my whole pregnancy… he just liked to hide…

We couldn’t hear my babies heart beat until I was about 17-18 weeks (second pregnancy). My placenta is sitting in front and muffled the heartbeat. Its not abnormal. I would double check with you doctor and request an ultrasound.
Rest easy mama, don’t try to stress too much.

Request a vaginal ultrasound your early but should be able to hear it on there my last appointment I was 16 and it still took awhile to find both heartbeats with the doppler

From 15 weeks it can be detected with Doppler

I JUST had this happen 3 days ago i asked for a viability ultrasound and they got my in the next day (i have a history of miscarriage)

This happen to me and even though got a trace of heartbeat but didn’t stay on for long I worried still ,she was just tucked down more into my pelvis area.

They couldnt find a heartbeat with a doppler at my 8 week or 12 week check ups. I had an ultrasound a few days later and it was her size and an anterior placenta.

Did they schedule an ultrasound? Or another appointment soon?? They should have given you more information. It’s never happened to me but I do know it can be hard to find when you’re still early.

You’re still kind of early for a Doppler to work so I wouldn’t worry. If you are too concerned, then ask for an ultrasound. They will be able to see the heartbeat on the ultrasound. Either that or wait until your next appointment and then they should be able to hear the heartbeat on a Doppler. If you are over weight, the placenta is in the front, or some other things can cause the heartbeat to be even harder to detect. Things like this are why doctors say to avoid at home dopplers because they are not the easiest thing to use and can cause unnecessary worry.

Yeah they normally don’t do the doppler until like 13 weeks.

I was 17 weeks and they still couldnt find anything on the doppler. So I asked for an ultrasound and all was well with my baby. Its not abnormal to not hear a heartbeat with a doppler so early honestly.

They should’ve sent you for a reg ultrasound or a vaginal immediately.

That early, especially if your placenta is in the front, it can be difficult. Hopefully, your next appointment it will be easier! Try not to worry too much. It really is common.

Doppler might not be the best at around that stage maybe starting at 15-16 weeks. Sonogram/ultrasound is often used for earlier stages.

If your placenta is anterior it can make it harder to hear.

Ask for ultrasound, they should have sent you asap, this happend to me 2nd pregnancy was early in pregnancy. You can always ask for an ultrasound.

They didn’t find mine until 14 weeks

Hope the doc mentioned that position has alot to do with it. Sometimes baby is in a position that makes it difficult to find heartbeat. If they were concerned they would of done an ultrasound

Yes, I was terrified but went back two weeks later and they could barely see the line of the heartbeat. Hang in there. My daughter is now 8 years old.

Don’t do a dnc whatever you do. I’ve heard and read many stories of moms being told no heartbeat at numerous points even seriously the entire pregnancy not being able to find it and delivering a healthy baby. So just trust in God and let it be. Honestly. A Million things can happen that cause them not to be able to find it or hear it. But I’ve heard too many stories of moms then being told they need a dnc and doing it which is terrifying bc I’ve heard many other stories where moms just went on and didn’t do anything and hoped and prayed for everything to be ok and they either found it later at some point in pregnancy or like I said never did and still baby born healthy!

1 Like

This happened to me. Its pretty normal. The doppler doesn’t always detect that early. He is 5.

We didn’t find a heart beat all through my second pregnancy, most drs did an ultrasound to find it and those that didn’t i demanded they do it. (History of miscarriage so I was a bit freeky)

Happened to me they couldn’t find my son till he was 17 weeks they even sent me for an ultrasound to make sure and everything was fine. They think he was just so small and moving around so much they couldn’t find him. He’s now a wild 3 year old that still never stays still

1 Like

They couldn’t get a heartbeat for my little bean till 12 weeks with an ultrasound. I’ve never been one to trust dopplers since they have such a hard time getting a beat. I kept freaking out cause they couldn’t find one and I had gotten agitated since I was already having issues with the pregnancy but all is well now since the ultrasound happy healthy little bean

Have a second, third opinion before concluding to do something else. It’s best to find available ways and be sure before assuming for the heath and life of your little one.

I’m super confused because at 12 weeks, they use the internal ultrasound wand not a Doppler. If they couldn’t locate it via Doppler, why didn’t they wand you? Try not to panic, I know it’s easier said than done…your doctor should have eased your mind by using the right medical device.

It’s natural to worry but my midwife wouldn’t do it till my appointment that I had this morning which made me 22 weeks 3 day’s they wouldn’t do it any sooner her because it’s apparently normal not to detect heartbeat as too early on and parents naturally get scared xx

I had it happen at 37 weeks. This old midwife came over and found it using a stethoscope! Have an ultrasound if you’re worried x

Have your doctor order an ultrasound, they should for sure be able to pick up babies heart beat through ultrasound.

They shouldn’t be using a Doppler before 18 weeks because of how hard it is to locate the heart beat.
I remember asking my doctor to use one and she refused because of that reason.
If you are concerned, go back to your doctor and ask for an ultrasound. And wait for your bloodwork results.

This happened to me too! My dr asked me if I wanted to try and said not too worry if you can’t because it’s so early. I didn’t hear it and of course worried lol and I have one healthy babe!

This happened the first time we tried to find my son(at 11wks). Dr assured me it wasn’t abnormal to not be able to hear baby. That she never promises she can til at least 15wks.
Sure enough. Next appt(15wks. Saw her monthly at that point) we found him nooooo problem. Dr just figures he was still to far down behind my pelvic to find, until he grew a little.
So I wouldn’t worry to much if the dr that didn’t seem concern and you’re feeling A-OK. Just means baby is still a tad to low yet.

They couldn’t find mine until 16 weeks i think.

Happened to me. They brought in a portable ultrasound and she was fine. 39 weeks and still perfectly healthy now :blush:

Happened to me, don’t be worried! They gave me a referral for ultrasound though to make sure

they need to do a ultrasound inhad same issue and baby was fine shes fifteenth now

Yup! I was actually about 15 weeks and the nurse couldn’t find it but then I went for an ultrasound and Baby was there kicking away. She’s now 14months. Did they offer you an ultrasound?

I had a ultrasound at 14 weeks because they heart no heartbeat all was well. Just not loud enough to hear until about 16 weeks with her.

Happened to me too, did an internal ultrasound and heard my babies heartbeat…what a relief!

My dr did the same thing except when he couldn’t find it he brought in a portable ultrasound machine to find it. Because the baby is so small it’s easier to find it and listen to it.

They cant detect a heartbeat with a doppler until over 15 weeks I was told.

Unless you’re super thin it’s not often you can hear the heartbeat before 15 weeks, with the doppler. If your doctor was concerned they would have done an ultrasound.

I had the same thing happen with my daughter until around 20 weeks. I was sent for an ultrasound and could see her tiny heart beating. A lot could be at play, if they where concerned about it you would have been sent for an ultrasound. If you have concerns speak up, be your own advocate, a lot could be happening to not get it, weight issues, uterus issues, you’re not as far along as you think. Don’t immediately jump to miscarriage.

The last thing you should do is worry. Lol. That’s all I did when I was pregnant. In my defense, I did try not to, and I trusted my doctor. If you trust your doctor, just try to listen to what she says. I do t think I did my Doppler until I was like 15-22 weeks…

They could not hear my son’s heartbeat at 12 weeks. I was a nervous wreck, so the Dr. did an ultrasound, and he was fine.

We could only hear with an ultrasound. Not the Doppler that early

1 Like

Did they not do an ultrasound to check? What did they tell you todo? Wait til next appointment? Curious

Neither of mine could be heard until 20 weeks. Both healthy and strong.

Same thing happened to me and I had miscarried :broken_heart: praying all is well with you and baby is healthy

Yes probably too soon or too small. Dont sweat it everythings fine.

I’d ask for a vaginal ultrasound.

1 Like

Happened to me. Turns out I was having twins

Dopplers are not reliable before 12 weeks. With both my girls we couldn’t catch heartbeat on anything other than ultrasound until after the first trimester and then with my second little she liked to play hide from the Doppler. Even at 38 weeks pregnant we could see her moving in my belly and not catch her heartbeat on Doppler (she ended up being sunny side up). I say all this to say, unless your doctor is worried then you should try not to be. I know that is easier said than done and I have been in your shoes. I know how stressful it is to not hear that heartbeat when you feel like you should. Prayers for you and your little.

My dr did an ultrasound for my 12week appointment not just using the doppler I was past 12 weeks before my Dr just used a doppler bc she said that sometimes it’s harder around 12 weeks and earlier to detect with doppler

2 Likes

Honestly I’d be worried at 12 weeks. Yes baby is small but all of mine have had a heartbeat from before 6 weeks detectable. Not trying to worry you but sounds like a possible miscarriage. Best of wishes and luck

1 Like

I’ve never had a Doppler before 16 weeks and this is because they struggle to find the heartbeat until then because the baby is so small. I hope this is the case and your baby is ok. Push for an ultrasound, that’s the only way to know for sure. Good luck!!

You should request an ultrasound. Before when I went for an ultrasound at like I wanna say 8 weeks they couldn’t hear a heartbeat with the Doppler. And then when I went in I got to see the heartbeat on ultrasound. Sending positive vibes your way.

For sure request and ultrasound. This is a controversial question with heart wrenching answers you could see. Nothing is for sure till it is. My current showed at 6 weeks and even showed on leads at 16 for stress test. a previous loss for me went that way also though at 12 weeks. It could be how baby is laying and its more abnormal for mine to show that early and even more so on leads that early. Just dont worry and stay calm, tell them you want an ultrasound. :blue_heart:

With my first baby they couldn’t here his heartbeat till I was about 16weeks. One of my coworkers said that they usually can’t find it at 12 weeks because baby is so small (she has 2 kids). And I am/was small…not much fluff lol. If there is no concern that something is wrong I don’t know way they would do a vaginal.

Did they try a vaginal ultrasound??? I know at my first appointment when I was like 10-12 weeks the only way we found a heartbeat was by using a vaginal ultrasound. I have heard other women though not getting to hear the heartbeat at earlier appointments. Your blood work results should help too. Good luck!

1 Like

With my 2nd child they cldnt find her heartbeat until 15wks. But with my third it was found during an ER visit at just 10wks. Baby may just be in a difficult position to get to.

It could be the way the babys laying, he or she could be really far back, where they’ve attached to the back wall of your uterus but still see if you can come back and get a recheck up

1 Like

It happened to me during this pregnancy my Dr just said not to worry that everything still seems great

Good luck i hope everything turn out well for u
But yes I had it before my doctor wont even try before 14-15 weeks

I’ve heard its quite common. And if ur doc didn’t seem concerned and u trust ur doc then I wouldn’t worry at this point.

I wasn’t able to hear HB with the doppler until like 15 weeks because I have extra “fluff” and my placenta was anterior so between my placenta and my stomach fat, the doppler couldn’t pick it up.

They didn’t do an ultrasound to follow up? I would request that.

Couldn’t hear it at 11 weeks… first time I heard it was at 16 weeks

You can buy a doppler and do it yourself.

1 Like

Happened to me my dr made me feel amazing by saying very thin woman can usually hear it sooner but people like me with extra fluff in tbe middle may take longer to hear…oh so u can’t hear the heartbeat and im a fat ass hahha awesome !! 5 healthy babies weighing 8.5 to 10 pounds came out of my fluffy bod!!!

Don’t worry!
My doctor couldn’t hear my sons heartbeat at my 12 wk appointment (with a Doppler) and when I went for my 16 wk appointment we heard it no problem!

Also if you have extra body weight or hadn’t emptied your bladder it could be harder to find.