question re when midwives first listen for the baby's heartbeat?

[goldilocks]

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone knew from their experience when midwives will first try to listen for a heartbeat at antinatal appts. I have my 16 week appt in a couple of weeks and wondered if they would then? Just asking as have heard that sometimes its not done at the earlier appts in case its hard to find, so as not to worry you. Just seems a long time from the 12 week scan to the 22 week one.

[apenn]

In my experience the heartbeat was checked at each midwife appt.

-A

[sanity girl]

Just checked my notes and the midwife listened for heartbeat at the 16 week appt.

[goldilocks]

Thanks everyone - didn't want to get my hopes up and find that it was never checked then (think I'm having a slightly neurotic week)

[Fuschia]

I think even if they don't offer they will probably listen in if you request it.

[Smiler]

Sometimes it can be difficult to hear at 16 weeks - my midwife couldn't hear my little one's heartbeat with her doppler til 20 weeks or so, which was a bit stressful, but all was fine!

[charlottep]

I had a similar experience to smiler, the midwife couldn't find the heartbeat at 16 weeks, I got myself very stressed about it and ended up in the MAU. It was all fine thankfully, it's just that sometimes it can be a bit tricky to find that early, so don't worry if they can't find it.

[gill10]

Due with my second baby in Nov and my new midwife never checks it as it's not a necessary part of the antenatal check anymore. A lot of midwives still will though, and they will if you ask. She said the reason they've removed it from the necessary checks is that feeling the fetal movement everyday is a much clearer indicator of wellbeing than a one off heartbeat check once a month or so and there is no proof it improves antenatal care.