2nd Ultrasound (past M/C ment)

[Madeline's Mom]

I had my second ultrasound yesterday and things are looking good. The baby measured a few days bigger (10 weeks - I think i was 9 weeks 4 days yesterday) and had a strong heartbeat.

Here's my problem.... the darn RE doesn't listen or measure the heartrate. It is driving me crazy!!! I want to hear the baby and know that the heartrate is strong -- not just see it on the screen. He says that the vaginal ultrasound doesn't pick up the heartrate very well and isn't always accurate.

I've had two previous pregnancies and both times we could hear and count the heartrates by 7 weeks!!! Part of the reason I am so set on hearing it is that with our first pregnancy, we heard a heartbeat twice and then it stopped at 11 weeks. I was concerned that whole pregnancy because the heartrate was low from the start (low 100's). I just need to know what the number is on this pregnancy so I know it is strong!!

I've been really happy with this doctor and clinic overall so I didn't push the issue, but he is keeping me on for another 1 - 2 appointments (his standard practice - through the first trimester) so it will be awhile before I hear anything.

After stewing about it for awhile, on my way back to work, I called my OB to see if he would do an ultrasound at his office so I coud hear the heartbeat. Although they are swamped, he is getting me in on Wednesday. He said if the ultrasound techs can't do it, he'll just do it himself!! I am so relieved!!

Anyway, that was my saga for the week. Hopefully I'll have a good strong number to report tomorrow!!

[Robyne]

Sorry about your dilemma - and I understand completely having had a m/c myself at 12 weeks (the baby had died at 9.5 weeks and I didn't know it).

Can they just use a doppler? At my appt. yesterday - we were able to hear the heartbeat at 9 weeks and the dr. counted the heart rate for me.

[keleric1017]

Oh Jen, I'm sorry to hear that. Sometimes dealing with all these dr's can be so frustrating!

Have you thought about renting a doppler? I've had mine for about 2 weeks, and for me it's a lifesaver! DH and I listen to the baby every night before we go to bed. It definitely puts my mind at ease. I don't always hear it, I've picked it up consistantly for about the past 5 days now, so I think I'm getting to the point where I'm far enough to get it.

I had 3 u/s's at my RE. The first time was very early, 6 wks, we could see the hb, and it did register on the screen, with the blips, but we couldn't hear it yet. The other 2 times we could hear it. I think the vaginal u/s are better for picking up the hb. When I went for my first OB appt, she couldn't pick it up with the doppler.

Good luck with the u/s! Hopefully you'll hear that sweet hb!

[guslisa]

Yea Jen, things are going well, I'm so glad. Isn't it such a relief to see that the heart is still beating and the little bean is the right size?

I'm sorry about not hearing the heartbeat though, what bummer. My RE does vaginal u/s and we've heard, and measured, the h/b both times, the first time 7w2d.

I hope tomorrow brings you peace of mind, at this point we need all we can get!

Lisa

[loveforanother]

Sounds like everything is positive with the size and seeing the heartbeat. I also have had the vaginal u/s done since 6weeks, with all the ups and downs we've had and we heard it and measured it since 6 weeks. Ours was lower at 120 1st and then kept getting stonger at each u/s, I have had 4 or 5 so far. The last one was in the 180's and my OB said everything looked great. I am sure that your OB will help to ease your mind. I'm glad he is caring about your feelings. Good luck, I'm sure everything is great.


Karen