Conference moira::parenting

    I wouldn't worry at all.  I just had my fifth baby and I remember that
    it was at about 12 weeks that they heard the heartbeat for the first 
    time.  I think the pregnancy goes alot slower too when you find out so
    early.  I think I felt him move the first time around 16 or 17 weeks 
    which is early but I knew what to look for by the fifth time.
    
    Take care,
    
    Vickie

    
    	With my second pregnancy (this one) they also could not find the
    heartbeat at 10 weeks and so I did not hear it until the next apt at 14
    weeks even then it was tough to find, as the baby preferred to hide all
    over the place. 
    
    	With Spencer I felt movement at 16 weeks, with this baby I felt the
    first movement at 18 weeks. (I kept expecting to feel movement earlier
    and so was surprised it took so "long")
    
    	In some respects the second pregnancy goes slower but in other
    respects, it goes very quickly. What with a little one at home, buying
    a house, getting renters, and going through the holidays, I wouldn't
    know what week if I didn't have regular visits with the midwife. As it
    is, people ask me how far along I am and I ususally reply, ah, I'm due
    in mid-March.
    
    			Wendy

    
    
    My doctor tried to hear a heartbeat at 11 weeks.  When she
    couldn't she ordered an ultrasound for the next morning.
    Talk about scaring me half to death.  This pregnancy is
    high risk for several reasons and she just wanted to be
    on the safe side with me.  The next day we saw the little
    heart blinking away - phew!
    
    This is my second pregnancy and it does feel like time is
    passing by much slower.  Maybe because I already know what
    to expect and am measuring this to my first?
    
    Jeanne
    

A heartbeat can be detected via ultrasound in the 6th week (my twins' heartbeats
were detected at 7 weeks), but usually can't be heard via the stethoscope or
whatever that thing is they use til much later, around the 13th-15th week, I
think.

    
    
    Sandy,
    
    	I'm currently 25 weeks along, this is also my second, I switched
    doctors so with this one I did not hear the heart beat until 14 weeks,
    my second doctors visit at 10 week they told me it was to early to hear
    the heart beat, with my first I heard the heart beat at 10 weeks.  Some
    times, and it depends on the doctor they will try to listen at 10 weeks
    and some doctors don't try to listen.  But it's strange this pregnancy
    is going by alot faster for me.  
    
    Good luck and try not to worry I know how hard that can be,
    
    Lisa

    I heard my baby's heartbeat for the first time last Thursday (12 1/2
    wks).  Sounded "good and strong"!!!  I can't remember when I heard it
    for my daughter, but I am pretty sure it was in the 10-14 week
    timeframe.  
    
    I found out real early this time too, but I treasure every second, hope
    to make it longer than 26 weeks this time!
    
    Best wishes,
    Beth

    
    My secong pregnancy went much more slowly, but now that he's here,
    WHERE did those 6 1/2 months GO ????
    
    Time is FLYING by!

    With Nicky the Dr. was able to get the heartbeat in my 8th week!
    Of course I could not feel him move until my 20th week. I figured 
    because I heard the heartbeat I should be feeling the baby kick any
    time. That is one of the draw backs of hearing it so early. It seems
    like it goes much slower. As the last noter stated now that he is
    here where DID the 6 months go????
    
    Sherry

    What I was told is that on average the heartbdeat can be picked up by
    dopplar at 12 weeks, sometimes earlier, sometimes later.  It can be
    difficult with a very active fetus to track it down and hold it, as
    there is lots of room for it to "hide" at that time and the heart is
    not large or loud.  
    
    I wouldn't worry.  this is the first one that they picked up the
    heartbeat on me at less than 16 weeks.  (Of course this is one is 8
    years after the last, and 19 years after my first pregnancy, so the
    technology keeps changing)
    
    Meg

I'm 23 weeks along in my third full term pregnancy.  Last night I had my monthly 
appointment and it still took alittle bit to find the heartbeat. It's there nice a strong. 
I remember my doctor had trouble hearing a heartbeat at 14-15 weeks.  I was told it is 
sometimes difficult to find the heartbeat up to about 16 to 18 weeks or so. 

If you feel uncomfortable and uneasy call the doctor's and see if they will let you 
have an quick ultrasound done for peace of mind.  My doctor was going to just slip me 
in between ultrasound appointments when they had problems finding it a 15 weeks for 
my peace of mind. (My doctor's office has their own ultrasound room) If your doctor's 
office has their own ultrasound equipment they should be willing to accommodate your 
request.

Good Luck,

Pat K.

    
    
    I'm 17 weeks along with my second baby.  I went last week for my
    monthly appointment.  My dtr. had a rough time finding the heart
    -beat but eventually did.  He said that between 14-16 weeks it
    can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.  I don't exactly
    remember when they heard Nicholas' heartbeat for the first time
    but I have a feeling that it was around 14 weeks.  I did have
    an ultrasound this time around at 9 weeks and I could see the
    heart beating away so I wasn't worried and knew that the baby
    was probably hiding.
    
    I was about 4 mos. along with Nicholas before I felt any fetal
    movement.  About 2 1/2 mos. along with this baby, I felt some
    "bumping" (that's the only way I can explain it) and I had
    a feeling that it wasn't gas bubbles.  They say with your 2nd
    you are more aware of what is going on and can be able to tell
    the difference between a gas bubble and fetal movement (sometimes
    I still have a hard time, it's still too early I guess).
    
    I bet at your next dtr's appointment they will be able to hear
    the heartbeat, no problem.  
    
    -Chris

    I'm pregnant for the first time and at my 8 week appointment the doctor
    tried in vain to hear for the heartbeat.  No luck.  At the 12 week
    visit, he found my heartbeat, moved it an inch, and there was the
    baby's loud and clear.
    
    Oddly enough, I recall feeling fetal movement at 14 weeks, as little
    popping and tickling sensations.  I'm not sure if I detected them this
    early because of a history of abdominal problems (intestinal) which has
    got me very intuned with what's what in my body.  I knew that these
    flutterings were not gas!  They were very different from anything else
    I had ever felt before.  I believe my SIL began feelings movements at
    14 weeks as well.
    
    Lynn
    (13 weeks to go!)  :)
    

    Thanks for easing my mind. I don't feel so uptight now that I've read
    that the majority says you don't hear anything till at least 12 weeks.
    
    I feel pretty confident now that I will hear it next week at the drs.
    
    I'ts just so hard to remember from the last one.....
    
    
Thanks again
    Sandy

    
    
    Just went back to the OB the day before yesterday and
    at 14 weeks she still could not get a heartbeat.  I 
    mentioned in a previous reply that I had to have an
    ultrasound to make sure everything was okay.  
    
    She decided that since my uterus is tilted back, that
    is why she could not hear it.  So she had to reach
    in and lift my cervix forward and then she was able
    to get a strong heartbeat.   
    
    Jeanne
    
    

For what it's worth... I happened to pass by a book on pregnancy, etc. in
the magazine aisle of a drugstore on my lunch hour yesterday, so I looked
up fetal heartbeat and it had a table of different symptoms and the approx.
time they appear.  For heartbeat, it said between 10 and 20 weeks, depending
on the device used.  I didn't read the text for further info, but it seems
that 15 weeks would be "average" and not even in the "worry zone" (I know,
when one is pregnant, almost nothing is out of this zone! but if it's
causing you a lot of stress I'd recommend requesting an ultrasound for the
peace of mind).


 

    Well, I was 10.2 weeks on Friday when I went for my dr. appt.
    
    It took awhile, but finally got the heartbeat.  I have a tipped
    uterus too!  
    
    Sure makes it seem real, now!

    
    
    hmmm..
    
    I remember with my first baby, they heard his heartbeat at least
    2 weeks before this baby.  They told me a month ago that my uterus
    was tipped (apparently it wasn't tipped with my son because noone
    said anything).  Sounds like the tipped uterus prevents you from
    hearing the heart beat (or makes it more difficult) sooner??

    Hi it's the basenoter, I went to the drs. yesterday and alas, I heard
    the heartbeat! Now I can rest easier... Even after already having a
    child, I still cried when I heard it as if I have never been through
    that before. What a wonderful sound!
    
    Thanks for all of your reassurring notes, you were right...10 weeks was
    a little early to expect anything.
    
    Sandy
    

    Good news Sandy!
    
    I can relate to your feelings....I cried when I heard my 2nds heartbeat
    a couple of weeks ago.  I even commented to my husband and the doctor
    how surprised I was that it wasn't any less special this time!  
    
    all the best to you!
    
    Beth

	Hi,

        I'm due for my 12 week appointment next week and they are going
	to try for the heartbeat.  I really want to hear it, especially
	since my husband is arranging to be present at this appointment.
	I was wondering if the contents of your stomach could interfere
	with hearing it.  You see, a couple of weeks ago I was playing
	with my MIL stethescope trying to hear it myself (yeah, right)
	and I had just eaten a large meal so all I heard was little bubbles
	and pops and rumbling.  So, obviously, I don't want a full
	stomach.  But an empty stomach makes growling noises too!  At
	my 4:45 appointment, my stomach is more likely to be empty.  Should
	I eat a piece of fruit to settle my stomach first?  Does this
	even matter?
	
	I watched that T.V. show a few weeks ago "We're Expecting" and
	one of the women had alot of static noise which makes it hard
	to pick up the heartbeat.  They said that it was because she 
	was so excited/nervous.  What does this have to do with anything?

	I just hope we it next week!  It is unlikely that my
	husband will be able to participate in any other appointments
	since he works 1 hr from the Dr's office!  I want him to hear
	it too!

	Karen

	P.P.S.... a maternity nurse happened to be at my MIL's house
	when I was using the stethescope.  She tried and said she could
	hear the heartbeat (I was at 9 weeks).  I heard nothing.  Then
	I read in "What to Expect..." that an ordinary stethescope cannot
	pick up a fetal heartbeat until the 17-18th week.  Was this
	women full of it or was there a chance she heard it?

    They will probably use that Doppler thingie which uses ultrasound
    to listen to the baby's heart. It will not be confused by stomach
    rumblings, and you get to hear that wonderful badump-badump-badump.
    What a thrilling moment!
    
    Lucy

    I don't know if what you eat would affect them picking up the heart
    beat.  At 12 weeks the baby is still pretty much behind your pubic
    bone, which is why it's still hard to pick up.  You may hear YOUR
    heartbeat, but that's much slower.  They didn't pick up this baby's
    heartbeat till about 14-15 weeks.  There's no mistaking stomach noises
    for the sound of your little ones' heart!  
    
    Good Luck!!
    Patty

	    Well, we heard the heartbeat last night (at 12-1/2 weeks).
	    Actually, it only took a few seconds to find it.  I heard
	    mine first (kind of in the background), then the baby's
	    was picked up.  It was really exciting!  I felt like I
	    could sit there for an hour just listening!
	    
	    Then I got chewed out for only gaining 1 pound so far....
	    I'm off to find the note on weight gain now!

	    Karen

	>>    Then I got chewed out for only gaining 1 pound so far....
	>>    I'm off to find the note on weight gain now!

	Really ?  I didn't gain any weight (in fact, I lost weight) until
	my 16th week, and didn't get above my starting weight until 19 weeks.

	My doctor said that as long as I was eating, that was fine.

	Karen

re: CNTROL::JENNISON

	I put a reply for you in note 157 since I don't want to let this
	note get off track!

	;-)

	Karen

	Just thought I'd put in a note...

	I had my first pre-natal visit August 6th, and we heard the
	baby's heartbeat.  I was 10.5 weeks along at the time.

	My doctor noticed it on my chart (the nurse checks for the
	heartbeat) and told me his nurse and I were silly, trying to
	hear the heartbeat so early.  I said, "Well, we did!" to which
	he said, "yes, I see" and laughed.

	Karen

    Wasn't it great to hear it?

    I'd believe 10.5 weeks, we first heard our baby's heartbeat at 8 weeks
    4 days.  I don't think they would have even tried but we had just
    finished a *very* unpleasant ultrasound and the nurse was attempting to
    make me feel more comfortable.  She said not to count on anything but
    she would try.  She tried and found it in only a couple minutes.

    I'm almost 13 weeks now, and have been back to the OB's every week for
    the past month, they've been able to hear the heartbeat every time.
  
    
    Jean (now waiting for the kicking!)
    

	Jean,

	I'm delighted to hear you're pregnant again, and am praying
	for the absolute best!
	
	Karen

    Thanks so much Karen!
    
    We're thrilled but very nervous. I'll have to update some of the other
    notes on our progress so far.

    Jean