Almost 13 weeks...NOW will they let me hear the heartbeat?!?

Question

I haven't got a scan, or ultrasound, or vaginal exam....NOTHING, and I'm 13 weeks. In Canada they won't give you an ultrasound until at least 18 weeks unless something is wrong.

I'm going to the doctor today- can he put a stethoscope on my belly so we can hear the heartbeat? I've never even had my HG levels checked...I'd like SOME indication that things are OK and there's a baby in there!

Thanks

Answer 1

In Australia its a little different with each doctor. 9yrs ago with my son i heard the heart beat on a doppler (little microphone thingy attached to a stethescope looking thing.. i'm not good at describing it) that was at 10 wks then i had a scan at 18wks turns out that scan said my dates were out and i was 16/17 wks. so that means I was hearing the heart beat at 8wks!  go figure.

My good friend heard her babies heart beat at 7-8wks as well.

I recently found out i am pregnant again.. this time they took bloods at the dr's and confirmed the pregnancy then told me to book in to get a scan between 8 and 12 wks so they can determine a more accurate due date. My dates say i'm 9 wks 3 days but dr puts me at 7wks. I would like to believe my dates lol.

After this scan in a few wks i will have another one at 18-20 wks for checking of the major organs -and find out what s*x it is :-)

then there are drs appointments, internal examinations, glucose testing and then another scan around 36 wks as a check to confirm the schedule.

I am going throught he public sector. My good friend is private and has had many scans and tests done through out her entire pregnancy . .she is now 32 wks. she had one on monday and will be having another one at 36wks and then i think she's done on scans..

Canada is obviously different.. you can ask your dr to perform these extra tests and check ups for your own peace of mind.  

Answer 2

Well I know exactly how you are feeling, I was told I couldn't have a ultrasound until i was 18weeks and on top of that the doctor couldn't find the heart beat because it was still early. They will try to get the heart beat on a Doppler if you like but there is no guarantee they will find it because you are only 13weeks and they say it can take up to 16weeks to hear it.  I know its hard but just try not to worry about it and believe that everything will be fine. Good luck and I hope you get to hear the baby soon. Also I don't think it is too late for that test, I know they do the triple screen test in the US anywhere from 16 weeks to 20 weeks I believe so you should still be able to have it.

Answer 3

Don't worry about it.  A lot of doctors don't offer early ultrasound unless there is a reason for concern.  With this pregnancy, I am only planning on having one scan done (today..yippee!!) and that is the one where the check the anatomy and all the measurements.  As far as the nuchal test goes, you will need to ask about that one.  Not all practices offer it as a matter of routine screening.  Now, don't be worried about not having your HCG levels checked either.  I'm on my 5th pregnancy and this is the first time I was sent for this blood test.  With all of my other pregnancies, the positive hpt was enough for them.  Again, it's more done if there is cause for concern that your #'s may not be high enough.  I will say that most docs will do a pelvic exam at your first or 2nd visit.  You really just need to ask your doctor about these things.  As far as whether or not you will get to hear the heartbeat....with a traditional stethoscope, it would still be too early, but if your doctor uses a handheld doppler, you would be able to hear it by now.  Best of luck!

Answer 4

  I live in Canada, ontario, I'm 13 weeks today. I'm going for my second U/S on tuesday.  I've been to my midwife 2 times already and at every visit, she takes out the doppler and checks the heart. I've also already had my physical, pap and all blood work done.  If you don't feel comfortable then you should look for another doctor.

Answer 5

After the 12 week mark is generally when the doctor will begin using a doppler to hear the babies heart beat, it can be difficult to detect before then. Chances are you will finally get to hear the heartbeat today.

As for the testing, around 15-18 weeks is when they will draw your blood to test your child's risk associated with birth defects. This way, come your mid-term ultrasound they can better look and evaluate during your ultrasound.

I know it's frustrating, I wanted to see my doctor everyday just to hear and be sure...but that's not realistic. You have a long way to go, but baby will be here before you know it.

Congrats and good luck.

Answer 6

No harm in asking your doctor to do that. Tell him your concerns and I'm sure he'll happily to it for you. Remind him you don't need any extra stress at this stage. :) Good Luck with your pregnancy.

Answer 7

my doctor had this funny little machine that had like a microphone on the end and at 11 weeks i hear my baby's heart beat then and 12 weeks had my first scan.

I have never heard of no 1st stage ultrasound unless the woman didn't know she was pregnant.

Talk to your doctor.  advise him of your worries and tell him that you feel stressed out by not knowing for sure that everything is ok.  I am sure that he will listen.

Answer 8

i would tell him how you're feeling and just ask him if you could hear your babys heartbeat just for piece of mind. if he doesn't understand that i would look into finding another dr

Answer 9

it may be too soon to hear the baby with a stethoscope ...I know five weeks seems like a long tome but hang in there ,it will come..

Answer 10

They don't offer any first trimester ultrasounds?

Not even nuchal translucency ultrasound testing at 11 weeks?

That's so basic - I'm amazed.

I guess that treatment varies considerably between countries - an NT ultrasound and blood test at the end of the first trimester is pretty routine here.  Or at least the offer of one is.

Later testing (triple test/quad test etc) is a different kind of test.

They won't give you an ultrasound unless there's something wrong?  That's not logical - if they're not exammining you how can they actually KNOW there's anything wrong?  Do you mean they won't give you one unless you're threatening miscarriage?

What they need to put on your belly to hear the heartbeat is a doppler.  From about 11-12 weeks, a doppler will let you hear a baby's heartbeat without difficulty.   Sometimes, if you're lucky you can hear it earlier, but it depends on the position of the baby and the placenta.

From about 20-22 weeks you can hear a heartbeat without a doppler using a normal stethoscope or a fetoscope, but a doppler is just easier.