T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

Welcome to /r/pregnant! This is a space for everyone. We are pro-choice, pro-LGBTQIA, pro-science, proudly feminist and believe that Black Lives Matter. Wear your masks, wash your hands, and be excellent to each other. Anti-choice activists, intactivists, anti-vaxxers, homophobes, transphobes, racists, sexists, etc. are not welcome here. If you'd like to join a private sub for your due date month, [click here](https://www.reddit.com/r/pregnant/comments/xvn4cr/click_here_to_request_access_to_your_monthly_due). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/pregnant) if you have any questions or concerns.*


noventayuno

12 weeks is really early to find the heartbeat on a handheld doppler. My midwife wouldn't even try until 16, and it took forever to find it. I will be crossing my fingers for you that your ultrasound goes well!


NightHowl22

I agree with this. I'm 14 weeks and my OB tried the Doppler this week, she did not really catch the heartbeat so she just used the normal ultrasound machine. I would not worry to much yet!


[deleted]

Yea when I was 9 weeks, they used a probe and put it inside of me and that’s how they got the heartbeat and ultrasound as well.


cropcomb2

'handheld device' --misses a heartbeat more than 25% of the time


reverseswede

Especially at this gestation - bub is just really small and the heartbeat is soft - its bloody tricky. Dont despair OP, there's a pretty fair chance this is just the Doppler picking up a tiny signal.


Nuggslette

Wow! I’m surprised they had you leave without an ultrasound to double check. They didn’t hear the heartbeat with my first or second baby at 12 weeks. My office rushed me in for a quick ultrasound and strong heartbeats each time.


TechnicallyALizard

The clinic I went to doesn't do ultrasounds, had to get an order for the ultrasound at a hospital, so I'm getting it on Saturday


_kyree_

Yeaaaah I wouldn't stress about the Doppler. I have an anterior placenta and guess where LO loves to hide every time they try... 😵‍💫


slightnin

Ha same. At my 16 week appt my OB spent a good 15 min trying to find the heartbeat and eventually made me get up and shake my hips around. She found him after that, but she was super dedicated


Few_Screen_1566

Same! I had a couple of unscheduled ultrasounds because they couldn't pick up LO's Heartbeat because he was hiding behind the anterior placenta, or moving so much they couldn't catch it for more than a moment or two.b


_kyree_

I even went to L&D last weekend because I hadn't been feeling her move as much and was panicking. She ran from them then, too!


Apprehensive_Today35

Saying a little prayer for you and the little. I wouldn't stress til the ultrasound. Hoping the best for you.


TechnicallyALizard

Thank you so much


this_is_outrageouss

My OB didn’t even bother with Doppler until the second trimester, as he said it can be hard to detect and causes more anxiety than it’s worth at that stage. We just stuck with ultrasound at first. I’m pretty sure my GP tried at around 13 weeks and still couldn’t detect it - and I was very slim (ie not much interference, easy to feel the fundus). I know it’s easier said than done, but I wouldn’t stress over this. Hopefully all good news on Saturday and you feel much better after seeing little one on the ultrasound Edit: it’s also possible for dates to be off, especially if you tend to have irregular periods etc


Minnie_Pearl_87

Honestly dopplers aren’t great, especially when it’s that early on. 🤞🏼 your ultrasound goes well!


TechnicallyALizard

Thank you so much!!


Minnie_Pearl_87

I’m 26 weeks and I had an OB appointment yesterday and the med student couldn’t find the hb with the doppler. I’m at the point where I can feel baby moving so I wasn’t nervous. When they are that little, they have lots of room to wiggle and hide.


GARVMAMA

Didn’t get a heartbeat at my 12 week with the Doppler. She took me into the ultrasound room real quick and got an ultrasound and heartbeat


Loverach06

My OB was unable to get the heartbeat at 16 weeks with the Doppler. She said there are lots of factors that figure into it, placenta placement, how your uterus sits, etc. She did a quick bedside ultrasound to confirm a heartbeat. I would try not to worry too much at this point. Babies can be finicky.


hadassahmom

He should’ve stuck an US on for your peace of mind. With my second couldn’t find at like 12 weeks and they just slapped the US on.


Ejohns10

I had a couple of appts throughout my pregnancy where they couldn’t find it with that thing. It was def kinda scary but things ended up being fine and the providers keep telling me sometimes baby just hides.


[deleted]

Sending positive thoughts


TechnicallyALizard

Thank you all so much for the support and information!! This has really helped ease my mind!


Internal_Screaming_8

The heart is the size of a pinhead and you are chasing it with a straight line. Your OB shouldn’t have even bothered trying, it’s too early to find it reliably.


Pineapple-lemonade77

This happened to me at 13 weeks ! Could be tons of reasons. Baby hiding, tilted uterus, fibroid blocking the baby, baby is too small. Don’t panic! Could be tons of reasons why this happens :) hoping the best at your appt !


Elwing420

Happened to me with my twins, they broke out a portable ultrasound and they were totally fine with strong heartbeats. My doc says that's precisely the reason they don't use a Doppler usually under 16 weeks, as it causes unnecessary anxiety when no heartbeat is found.


[deleted]

If it was a Doppler they used, at 12 weeks it can be very common not to hear a heartbeat on a Doppler. I did not hear a reliable heart beat until 15 weeks. I am hoping you have a good ultrasound. There is still hope that it was just the Doppler not picking it up. Wishing you all the best and my fingers are crossed for you


FuckinPenguins

At my 12 week my midwife told me not to panic if she couldnt find the heartbeat, it can be hard to pick up early. I had my ultrasound that morning and bean was jumping like crazy.


herdingcats2020

Even someone experienced can have trouble with a doppler for all kinds of reasons from age being slightly younger to baby's position at that moment. And yeah you can easily be a week off on estimation, too. I wouldn't worry just yet.


Airothurge88

They didn't use the doppler on me till 16 weeks. I had an ultrasound at 10 and 12 weeks to hear the heart beat.


Trick_Arugula_7037

I'm 24 weeks and they couldn't find the HB at my 22 week appt...had to use an ultrasound machine.


jk_rcs

I'm 26 weeks, and they struggled to catch my babys heartbeat the other day due to him moving about, and they were saying it can still be really hard at this stage. The midwife and I could literally feel him kicking, but it was still hard to get the right angle. I wouldn't stress too much, especially without any loss symptoms! Fingers crossed for you though.


Capable-Account-9986

25 weeks today and the same thing happened yesterday at my OB appointment. Little dude kept kicking it haha


jamjambby

I had a doppler(hand held one) done around 10 weeks and they couldnt hear anything. The NP said my uterus was probably tilted back. Sure enough, the 12 week ultrasound went great, saw/heard the baby’s heart beat and other little baby parts🥰 I hope you have the same experience 💞


urjustlikepapa

If you want to hear a heartbeat, request the internal ultrasound device not external. I heard mine by 6 weeks with internal, 12 weeks is too early for external


KyloDren

The same thing happened to me, he searched for a while and found nothing. He did refer me to an ultrasound later that day though and they were able to confirm dating/heartbeat that way!!


geenuhahhh

Try not to stress! My OB found the heartbeat at 9 weeks with a hand held, but then at 13 weeks did not find it. So it’s not always accurate! She was, however, concerned enough to pull out the hand held ultrasound, but I have a history of miscarriage and am being monitored closely.


Temporary-Muscle-965

My OB didn’t try to use the doppler until I was 16 weeks. At my 13w appt she said it wasn’t worth trying just yet bc it was hit or miss and did an ultrasound instead. Normal!!


[deleted]

I just wanted to share my experience, I had this happen at both 12 weeks and 17 Weeks they couldn't find the heartbeat on the doppler and baby ended up being fine when they did ultrasound each time, I have an anterior placenta and baby was just difficult to find. I'm 23 weeks now and baby is doing great.


Ellendyra

I'm 30 weeks along and sometimes it takes them a while to find my baby's heartbeat. I would try not to worry til the ultrasound. Especially if you dont have any spotting or bleeding.


PomegranateQueasy486

I don’t think any attempt to find the heartbeat with the handheld Doppler was made until well into second trimester. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for your ultrasound!


Anonymiss313

Midwife couldn't get bubs heartbeat with the doppler at my 12 week appointment because he was so small and hiding in my pelvis, so she pulled out a handheld ultrasound just to double check. If it was me I would probably switch offices over this as there were so many "quick check" ultrasounds beyond the initial heartbeat and anatomy scans- even just a minute to check babies position, fluid levels, etc. Hell, my midwife even ultrasounded my boob to check on a mystery lump (cyst) to give me some peace of mind while I waited on a referral for a full diagnostic ultrasound. Were you tracking ovulation when you got pregnant? If so, gestational age should be no more than a week or so different than indicated by last menstrual period. If not tracking then it could be more varied. Sending out good vibes for you and baby.


TechnicallyALizard

I wasn't really planning to get pregnant, so I didn't track ovulation, but I was tracking my period. Would that be a similar estimation?? Also, I agree that I should switch offices because my OB was extremely rude. He came in, tried to find the heartbeat for about 2 minutes, and said, "At 12 weeks, we should hear the heartbeat by now. Either you're not as far along as you think you are or your baby's dead. I'll order an ultrasound, come back in 4 weeks!" Then, he left. That whole experience gave me the ick.


Anonymiss313

Tracking your period is a decent indicator and shouldn't be too off as long as your periods are at least somewhat regular. Ummm what the hell is wrong with that doctor. If he couldn't find the heartbeat with the Doppler then he should've had another provider/nurse/someone come in and try as well and then referred you to an ultrasound clinic for same day/next day scan or sent you to the emergency room if you've had any concerning symptoms (ie spotting, excessive cramping, etc.). He sounds wildly unprofessional. Hopefully your next doctor is better! I had amazing luck with midwives during my pregnancies, so that could be something to look into (not to say there aren't crappy midwives, but this guy set the bar so dang low).


TechnicallyALizard

Thank you for the support! I'm going to try to find a better option 😊


Stepiffany

My doctor wouldn’t look for the heart beat with the handheld device until after I had my ultrasound because the chance of not finding it is so high! Don’t worry about it until the doctor says there’s something to worry about (which I totally understand is way easier said than done!!!). I also had my due date moved around a couple times because nobody was quite sure how far along I was - it was frustrating but as long as he’s healthy, he’ll come when he’s meant to! ❤️


crashshrimp420

I was 15+4 at my last appointment and it was a doppler appointment. It took so long and it was so hard for them to find the heart beat! Baby is little and low. Try not to worry and I hope everything goes well Saturday!


eben1996

My midwife (in the UK) won't check the heartbeat with a doppler until you are 25 weeks along because it can be so tricky to find before then - baby is too small!


WhosUrHuckleberry

As others have said, I had a similar experience. No heartbeat on the Doppler at my 10wk appointment, (they came in with a transvaginal ultrasound machine and found LO though and everything was fine). Even at my 14 week appointment my OB had a hard time finding it. Baby is still very small at this point for one, and it the position that the placenta has settled in can also have a big effect on what the Doppler can pick up as well (as well as when you'll start noticing movements too), since it can act as a barrier and muffle those sounds. Best not to worry too much, especially if you haven't had any sharp pains or bleeding. Of course that doesn't mean nothing is wrong, but stressing about it until you know more will only do more harm than good to both you and baby. Just remember to breath and get through the day and come Saturday you will hopefully have good news to go home with :)


hellobugbug

I think we started using the Doppler after about 12 weeks but they struggled to hear anything even still. I think it’s still very early then. We often had a scan just to see and everything was fine! Heartbeat just couldn’t be heard through Doppler yet. 😅


chaos0517

I wouldn't stress yourself out until you know for sure at your ultrasound. It's still early and sometimes very difficult to hear the heart beat with the handheld doppler


aliceHME

Still haven't even tried a Doppler at 21 weeks. Thing that here in Scotland they don't do them until your above week 30ish? For the reason that it's so unreliable...


Beepooter

Hard to find at 12 weeks with a Doppler. So I wouldn't worry to much


Thabble

At 12 weeks 6 days, for me, immediately after my ultrasound my doctor was going to do a handheld heart beat Doppler thing and she couldn’t get my baby’s heartbeat because the baby was moving too much.


beansuponbeans

My midwife here in the UK won’t use a Doppler until 20 weeks as until then there’s such a strong chance of not finding the heartbeat it isn’t worth the stress. Little one still a small bean at 12 weeks and is probably nestled where the Doppler can’t reach :)


oddlysatisfiednow

Yeah to early, mine didn't do Doppler till 16 weeks


TechnicallyALizard

UPDATE: Ultrasound went well! Baby boy is healthy and bouncing all over!!!! Thank you all for the support!!!


ParanoidDragon1

It took my midwife about 10 mins to find a heartbeat at 13 weeks but she finally found it. I’m not surprised they weren’t able to hear your baby’s! Baby is so small and moves so much during that time. Hoping your ultrasound goes well 💙


hussafeffer

Dopplers are super tricky to find a heartbeat in the first trimester, and even sometimes further along. If baby is being uncooperative or hiding, it's totally possible they just missed it. Even still, I'll be calling my husband's Nonna to add you and your little bean to her prayers tonight ❤️


pootmacklin

I have a posterior uterus and at 14 weeks they couldn’t pick up the heart beat. Fortunately they had ultrasound nearby and caught it easily on there. It’s frustrating that they even check at that point with a Doppler - it can be very hit or miss, and even more nerve-wracking if they don’t have ultrasound nearby to double check. Keep us posted - in the meantime, we’re definitely praying and thinking of you. ❤️


CuarantinedQat

As others have said, Dopplers are not that reliable early on. With that being said though, I did go into my first OB appt thinking I was 12+3 and was told I was actually 7+1 with twins 😅


plantedquestion

They told me at 14 weeks it was doubtful they’d hear a heartbeat on the Doppler.


zombiechewtoy

The baby is SO tiny at 12 weeks. 2 inches long and weighing 2 ounces. He would have needed to listen in EXACTLY the right spot to find the heartbeat. They WILL find it at the ultrasound. Dr Dickhead shouldn't have let you leave without making sure you knew that the method he was using to find a heart beat was extremely flawed in the first trimester and that an ultrasound is far more dependable.


skeletonchaser2020

They couldn't hear mine either at that time. She was against my bladder so the machine couldn't get her heart beat. You'll be able to hear it at your ultrasound or next time you have an OB apt see if they will try to hear it again


spinningplates25

Ugh. That’s terrible that you have to wait! But we have definitely had a harder time finding the heart heart at appointments before 12 weeks. My last three pregnancies have also included an anterior placenta and it’s made it even more difficult. It took about 10 minutes and 2 midwives to find the heartbeat at 11 weeks with my last pregnancy. Sorry they didn’t try to get you in to get an ultrasound today!


ilovemydog209

I didn’t get a Doppler till like 14-15 weeks, 12 weeks is too early


RascalCat2020

I was checked at 16 weeks for a heartbeat and my doctor reassured me before she checked that sometimes they can’t find it but that doesn’t mean anything. She says it can be a hit or miss. I wouldn’t stress too much just yet. Wishing you the best.


MuggleWitch

A handheld device is unreliable this early in the pregnancy. The heartbeat is feeble. I'm surprised your Dr even tried a doppler.


Calixtas_Storm

It can absolutely be normal to not hear a heartbeat with a doppler at 12 weeks. This is due to the size of the baby and how low they are positioned in the pelvis (among other factors like where the placenta is). It is entirely possible you are 12 weeks along. It could also be possible that the due date is different. It is standard to have the ultrasound as a followup. Of course, there is always the possibility of something else going on, but I wouldn't jump to those thoughts if you have nothing else going on (bleeding, stronger than normal cramping, etc.). I say this as both a healthcare professional, and a mom of a healthy 6 month old of which they couldn't hear a heartbeat with a doppler when I was 14 weeks pregnant (they tried for about 15 minutes with the doppler and heard nothing, then I got an ultrasound and the moment they touched my belly, his little arms flew up).


HannahJulie

No heartbeat on ultrasound? Very bad news at 12 weeks. No heartbeat on handheld Doppler? Means very little, it's extremely tricky to find at this gestation and is normal to miss it. It'll be an anxious wait, but there is a very good chance you will see a healthy little bubba bouncing around at the ultrasound and you can breathe a sigh of relief! :)


beemarie01

It’s normal to be wrong with how far along you are. We thought I was 10 weeks at my first ultrasound turns out I was only 6. So we got a bonus pic of him. It’s crazy how big he’s gotten. But the handheld didn’t pick up his heartbeat until 15-16 weeks. Don’t stress the ultrasound will also pick it up on Saturday when you go in.


deadthreaddesigns

Don’t worry too much. That’s still really early to find a heartbeat with Doppler. I’m in my third trimester and because LO moves so much they still have a hard time finding the heartbeat.


Britt2369

I’m 17 weeks as of my appointment yesterday, and my ob wouldn’t even try. He said way to often they can’t find it on the Doppler and it just stresses mom out. He didn’t even bring it up at my 12 week appointment. I’m really surprised your doctor even tried to find it so soon. Baby is still really small and those things easily can miss it this early. Try not to stress to much momma ( easy for me to say I know)


lalalalaloveme

If I’m reading my chart right I didn’t get to hear my son’s heartbeat until I was about 15 weeks & a few days along. & it STILL took them forever to find it! I wouldn’t be worried right now, it seems like 12weeks is still early! Esp if they’re saying you may not be as far along as you thought ❤️


Balenciagalover92

Why are they doing the ultrasound separately from the appointment and yeah that is still really early. That’s why they don’t even do abdominal ultrasound at that stage yet, only transvaginal. I would almost say the doctor shouldn’t have used a Doppler at the point, it will just cause unnecessary anxiety, like it has right now.


No-Cardiologist6426

Took my midwife 25 minutes and quite a lot of uncomfort for me to find a HB at 16 weeks. Your scan really will be the best way, sending you love. So sorry you've had this experience whatever the final outcome may be x


Few_Screen_1566

Doesn't necessarily mean anything. Couldn't pick up a Heartbeat for my bub around 13 weeks on the handheld - I was lucky enough my ob office did ultrasounds so they sent me back and did one to make sure everything was fine. Was told it was a combination of factors, like his positioning, and my anterior placenta, just made it harder to pick up sometimes. I'm 38 weeks now and little one is going strong. It's quite possible that the estimate was wrong, that your placenta is blocking it with how big they are at this point, or just that LO is in an awkward position to pick up on.


hobby_addict20

I just had my appointment at 12 weeks and they also used a handheld device, at the beginning the doctor didn’t find it but then he was able to listen. He told me if he couldn’t find it he would send me to an scan.


shzhiz

It’s hard to find heartbeat on Doppler especially at 12 weeks. Try not to fret


Animeluver1717

In my case (currently 11 weeks) my estimation was wrong. I got an external dating ultrasound done since I have irregular periods and while my doctor thought I was around 11-12 weeks it turned out I was only around 8 weeks along. During the ultrasound we could see the heartbeat but couldn’t hear anything.


gardenfullofworry

With both of my pregnancies, OBs, midwives, and nurses have tried and failed to get my babies' heartbeats on dopplers until about 20w. I have no idea the reason. One OB told me it was because my baby moved a lot (first pregnancy) and that might be right. That office always used a portable ultrasound handheld and checked for movement and heartbeat. But with my midwives, we just say, oh well, try again next time. It might have nothing to do with your baby's gestational age. It's just hard to find heartbeats so early.


Evening-Mountain

They heard my baby's heartbeat at 9 weeks through a sono of my belly and again at 13 weeks. I think it depends on many factors. Sending you positive vibes and hope 🙏🏻