14 Weeks Pregnant, No fetal heartbeat with Doppler… Should I be worried?
OK, here’s the situation….
I just found out 2 weeks ago that I was pregnant. I"ve suspected it for a while, but I actually buckled down and went to a clinic and took a pregnancy test and sure enough, PREGNANT. Based on my last period, I should be 14 weeks pregnant.
I went for my first prenatal visit yesterday and the midwife wasn’t able to find the fetal heartbeat after trying twice. She did a pelvic exam and said my uterus was a good size, but she could locate no heartbeat. She said it could be a little extra "tissue" around the middle hiding the heartbeat, but I am SCARED TO DEATH something may be wrong. I wasn’t even scheduled for an ultrasound yet. I have to wait until MONDAY to even find out when I will be able to have an ultrasound.
I don’t know what to do. I’m so worried. Any advice?
Filed under: Fetal Doppler FAQs
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Listen to the person who first responded–she’s right.
And don’t stress…it’s not good for your little one.
I wouldn’t worry. They found my baby’s once and then the next appointment they couldn’t find it. They did an ultrasound right there and he was in such a weird position that it couldn’t be heard. It’s not unheard of to not hear the heartbeat at 14 weeks. Also, if you have an anterior placenta (placenta in the front) or a little extra maternal fat this can affect when you hear the heartbeat. If your uterus seems to be a good size I wouldn’t worry. My doctor told me not to worry as we walked to the ultrasound because he too said my uterus was growing at the correct rate by feeling it.
Don’t worry so much if your pregnant and the baby is fine you can hurt it by stressing When i was about 8-16 weeks my baby’s heartbeat was always decreasing because of my stress. Just hope for the best. =)
Good Luck & Happy Holidays
Oh try not to stress as this can be normal as the baby can be far-away and can be heard to pick up. I didn’t hear my baby heart rate by a doppler until i was 16 weeks and still the baby didn’t copperate and moved back and than the nurse couldn,t hear.
If worried do what i did ask for a ultrasound they will see than if baby has a heartbeat.
If the midwife said ur utrus was good size than baby is growing. And u have no blood or heavy bleeding or extream cramps, than u r not misscarring
CONGRATES AND GOOD LUCK!!!!!!
I agree with the others who have posted so far, don’t stress so much! During my pregnancy, most of the time they could find the heartbeat, but sometimes it took a really long time for them to find it. Then during my last visit at 39 weeks (scheduled c-section at 40 weeks) she couldn’t find the heartbeat - for like 15 minutes! It was really scary. And my kid came out fine - all 9 lbs 2 oz of him - so it wasn’t because he was small. I had an anterior placenta, and he favored my right side, so he was just turned in an odd position.
It’s really hard not to stress out, but at this point, there isn’t anything you can do until you go in again, so relax and try to enjoy your pregnancy. That said, if anything feels wrong at any time, get to an emergency room asap, and they will typically do an ultrasound there. Good luck!
This happened to me at 14 weeks. My midwife tried to find the heartbeat on the doppler and couldn’t She seriously tried forever, I was getting worried but deep down I knew everything was fine. Right before she used the doppler she was telling me that it should be easy to find because I am skinny, and that she has had to send many a worrying parent out because it can be harder to find on those with a little extra tummy. Sure enough, she struggled to find mine, I think she would have stopped trying if she hadn’t had that conversation wtih me beforehand. After a VERY VERY long time she finally found it. I wouldn’t worry too much, this happens to lots of people and I am sure that everything is fine. How long did she try looking for?
Also, do you have irregular cycles? With my first pregnancy, I went to the doctor and my last menstural period indicated I would be 12 weeks along, and when I had an ultrasound to confirm this I was only 6.5 weeks along. It may just be that you aren’t as far along as what you think so it may be harder to find the heartbeat.
Are you sure you are 14 weeks pregnant? You could be less and that could be the reason why the doppler hasnt picked up the heartbeat. When I first found out I was pregnant I thought I was about 3 months based on my last period but it turned out I was only 2 months when I had my ultrasound.
Same thing happened to me. They couldn’t find it with the doppler but thankfully they did an ultrasound right then and there and sure enough the heart rate was 154. By the next time I had an appointment they were able to find it with the doppler no problem.
Good luck and try not to worry.
i wouldnt worry if it was serious the doctor would have made you get a ultra sound asap dont stress. When i was sixteen weeks they couldt find my babys heartbeat he wouldnt stay still long enough now im 25 so try no to stress