UPDATE - Give it to me straight - WE HAVE A HEARTBEAT

[The Anchor]

I'm having a little freakout right now...yesterday I had a bout of bleeding, not tons, which has tapered to brown spotting today. I've never had this with either of my previous pregnancies. And to top it off, had a doctors appt last week, and we couldn't find the heartbeat with the doppler...but she ASSURED me that it wasn't anything to worry about (I was 10+5) and that she heard movement. I was able to hear the hb at 10 weeks with my last, but to be honest, I'm about 20 lbs heavier this time around. No cramping or anything, some twinges. I haven't called the doctor yet, I know she'll just say call back when soaking through or strong cramping.

Not feeling very confident right now - looking for some reassurance that this isn't the end. Anyone care to share their experiences?

September 26th @ 4:00 pm - WE HAVE A HEARTBEAT! AAAAAAAAAHHHHH! (That's me screaming). 141bpm. I'm so relieved I could cry! YUP, now I'm crying!

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

My doc never likes to listen for a hb before 12 weeks...they wouldn't even try. Did you call about the spotting? I think they should see you. Do you still have symptoms?

[atomic sagebrush]

They couldn't find DD heartbeat at 13 w 5 days and did an ultrasound but there she was, happy as a clam.

Do you have a tipped uterus? That makes it harder to hear.

I also had spotting a few times with DS 4 because I had placenta previa.

[NCBeachyGrl]

I think you should go in too. Can you tell her you are really freaking out about it and really want to make sure everything is OK?

[3Pink1Blue]

With dd1 they couldn't find the heartbeat at 15 wks so did a quickly u/s and with dd3 they couldn't find it at 10 wks so had me come back a week later and there she was.

I've never spotted in pregnancy unless sex was involved, if you're worried call your dr and beg for a quick check.
Gl and fx!

[Hobbermittens]

They heard DD1 with the doppler at 9.5 weeks, but I was skinny then, and none of my other babies were heard before about 12 or so. As far as the spotting, I haven't had that myself, but my sister as well as a good friend both had bleeding around the 10-12 week mark, and both went on to have healthy babies. I really hope everything is okay with your little one! Call the Dr today and see if they can get you in for a quick u/s.

[dloui128]

I have a tipped uterus so I could never hear the heartbeat until after 12 weeks, my dr won't even check for a heartbeat until the 12 week appt. I had spotting on and off this time for about two months, they told me I have or had a vascular cervix. If you are really worried I would call the dr and tell her you want to be checked out

[mydream]

My dr. won't even use the doppler until 12 weeks...
she does ultrasound..
I would call your dr. It will help ease your mind!

[mummypink]

I would say try not to panic as it could be nothing but definitely give your midwife a call and see if you can get a scan done to reassure you. I heard the heartbeat with ds1 at 12 weeks and ds2 they couldn't find it until just after 13 weeks, I have a doppler at home this time and have checked everyday but haven't found it yet, so try not to worry too much in terms of hearing the heartbeat.

Fingers crossed it turns out to be nothing. xx

[nuthinbutpink]

I would go in. You need an ultrasound for some reassurance at this point.

[The Anchor]

I can totally go and see the doc...but she doesn't have an u/s machine at her office...which is what I really want. She would have to refer me, which will take a week anyway.

Thanks for all the responses, I am feeling a little less panicky...

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

What about the hospital? Could you say the spotting was worse than it was and that's why you went?

[The Anchor]

What about the hospital? Could you say the spotting was worse than it was and that's why you went?

Hmmmm...I'm mulling this one over. So they'll give me an u/s? Is there anyone else from Canada who has gone this route?

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

I'm not from Canada, but I did it. And they gave me one right away. I don't know how they could ignore a pregnant woman bleeding. I say whatever you have to do to get some reassurance is the right thing!!

[Mrs_P]

by me they don't test for the heart beat til 14 weeks (10 week appt is too soon) but i had bleeding with two of my three pregnancies, one at 7-8 weeks, light but enough to notice and there when i went to the toilet for a good day or so. My other i had it at 15 weeks (was really upset as he was my first and we'd made it past the 12 weeks and told everyone). It was bright red and lasted a couple of days but not that heavy - doc said if its heavy particularly with clots or you have bad period type pains then that's the time to worry. Apparently anytime between 11 and 15 weeks is when your placenta kicks in properly and takes over from the egg sack thing so that hormone change can cause bleeding.

[Mochagirl]

I'm Canadian. When I was pregnant with my twins, I had some cramping around 19 weeks. The threshold to go into labour and delivery for a check is 20 weeks, so they sent me to emergency. It was a long wait and didn't end in much - the doctor checked my cervix but I got the distinct impression he had no idea what he was doing - but they did book me for an u/s the next day just to make sure everything was ok (which it was, obviously). If you're willing to endure a long wait in emerg, you could go that route, but I think it would be easier to call your doctor and say you're very concerned - he or she should be willing to book you an u/s somewhere. My midwives were always good about addressing my concerns and sending me for an u/s if I needed peace of mind.

Good luck - I hope everything turns out ok. Not knowing is the hardest part :HH:

[WantALittleBlue]

Hi Anchor, i am from Canada and my SIL had a very similar situation, bleeding at 10 weeks she went to the hospital and they did an ultrasound on her,unfortunately for her she was miscarrying. On a brighter note I have had bleeding with all 3 of my kids and with my first it was almost like a period. I think you should check it out just for reassurance.

[The Anchor]

Okay...so I actually got to talk to the doc (pretty rare, usually you have to go in to the clinic). She was happy to arrange for an ultrasound...on Monday! I said that's too far away, and she pretty much echoed what some other ladies said...go to the hospital if you like but you'll be on the low priority list and might be in for a LONG wait, at which point they might even decide you don't need an ultrasound!
On a higher note...no more bleeding but just very light brown spotting. GAWD this is so HARD. Thanks ladies for everything.

[Sihaya]

I went to the ER for my first miscarriage and, while we didn't have to wait to be seen, the u/s itself (my first one ever!) was a horrible experience. The technician was not allowed to let me see the screen or tell me anything and my mom wasn't allowed to be in the room with me for the scan. When the doctor finally came back with the u/s results, she said "Congratulations! You're 5 weeks pregnant." I should have been 10 weeks and she didn't understand what charting was or how I could be so sure my dates weren't off if I wasn't a medical professional. It was not a fun experience.

If you can do it, I would wait until you can get the scheduled scan with the doctor. My 8 week u/s in my OB's office with DS #2 was a much different experience and now I avoid the ER unless it is heavy bleeding. For spotting, waiting to be seen in a calm and friendly environment is worth it to me.

[RedCanoe]

I've had bleeding - heavy gush with clots, light bleeding, spotting in bright red, pink and brown - with all 4 pregnancies and none turned out to be due to miscarriage. It could be your cervix or a SCH or low lying placenta. So don't panic yet. But definitely take that u/s appointment for Monday. I've gone to the ER with my heavy bleeding episodes (in Canada too) and did get an u/s, but it was one of those portable machines with a very fuzzy yellow/black picture and I don't think they could tell much more than the fact that there was a heartbeat present. A regular appointment will be much better.

GL! Will keep my FX that all is well with bub.

[NCBeachyGrl]

I'm sorry they can't get you in sooner. This just sucks! At least you are only having brown spotting....that usually means nothing serious. I agree with the ladies, as long as bleeding is minimal (not bright red, not tons) then I would try to wait it out until the appt on Monday. If it does start back, I would prob. head to the ER just to be safe.

I'm sorry you are having to worry about this. I really hope it is nothing and everything is OK. I do also remember with DS1 that I had an u/s at 12 weeks b/c they couldn't find the h/b. My fingers are so tightly crossed for you. Big hugs!

[Yuzu]

Ugh, it's too bad you can't get in earlier! Maybe if you made a fuss at the hospital they'd take you back right away? Of course, you probably don't want to do that (I wouldn't either).

If it's any solace for you they don't always hear the hb. As a matter of fact, a few months ago they couldn't catch this little ones HB and I said, "Oh, that worries me a little bit," and the nurse kind of yelled at me! She said, "Stop worrying, it doesn't mean anything. The baby is fine." And she was right, though she didn't have to be so nasty about it.

[Rosie85]

Geez, you ladies have to go through the ringer. When I was 17 weeks and had bleeding I went to the ER. I walked up to the desk and told them and they pretty much went into OMG the world is about to end mode and got me back immediately. I had an ultrasound done within minutes. I live in the states.

I really hope you stop spotting all together and the wait for monday comes sooner. If you are feeling that uneasy I would just go to the hospital. It may take a while but it won't be as long as waiting for monday.

Thinking of you! I am sure the baby is fine, ((hugs))!!!

[Butterfly Spirit]

I honestly would stay away from the hospital, if I could go back I would have never gone.
I went through the ringer and a whole lot of stress the two times I went, the IV, the blood draw, the pelvic exam, the swab, and that transvaginal U/S..REFUSE IT ugh it's SO painful when they search for your ovaries! I think it only makes things worse. They can't do anything to stop the process if it's started, all they can do is poke you and prod you inside and out and then bug you about getting a Rogam shot..etc etc..

My baby's heartbeat barely started being detectable for me at 12 weeks. I wouldn't worry too much yet! :)

[Butterfly Spirit]

The technician was not allowed to let me see the screen


Oh ya, I remember that well... and the same thing happened for this pregnancy at 6 weeks.
You just want answers, you just want someone to talk to, but I never felt so alone in a room with one person in my whole life. It was hell. :(

[The Anchor]

Well the good news...the spotting has stopped altogether. Still no cramping...and I still have all the other pregnancy symtoms, sore boobs, bloating. I'm trying to take it all in stride. Monday is centuries away.

Thanks ladies, you're awesome.

[spinningmadly]

I'm sorry they won't see you sooner :(
I am being a PITA already I know to my midwife and Dr, since I'm overly paranoid this time. The thing my high risk OB said that I appreciated the most was that we will have appointments and u/s more because of my mental state than anything else and he said that he's not just treating the baby but the mother too and my psychological state is important.. anyway.. hes the only Dr who has ever said anything like that.. but you might want to tell the clinic that?? ( I guess not your dr since she understands!!) not sure if you could call them yourself..

On another note, I had bleeding in prior pregnancies and no cause was ever found and the baby was just fine! fingers crossed things are fine!

[The Anchor]

Okay, I've got another question for you ladies. My friend has offered my her home doppler, which I will pick up today, but she's very wary about it and she's worried that I will freak right out if I can't find the hb. She says she's never been able to find anything before 12 weeks. So my question is...should I do it? True, if I don't find it, I WILL lose it, but if I DO, I would be over the moon.

What do you ladies think? Any experiences with a home doppler?

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

I just ordered one yesterday. If I were you, I would do it. Full bladder and laying down is the best. Does she have the jelly too?

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

And I've used one before...I loved it. Found the hb almost right away. Good luck my friend.

[ThreeMenAndALAdy]

And I've used one before...I loved it. Found the hb almost right away. Good luck my friend.

And I found it before 12 weeks...I think 10. Sorry for all the posts...

[mummypink]

I've got a doppler and I can't find the heartbeat yet, I'm not worried because I know it is really early.

I think if you borrow it you shouldn't try and find the heart beat yet if you know you're going to worry. xxx

[dloui128]

Okay, I've got another question for you ladies. My friend has offered my her home doppler, which I will pick up today, but she's very wary about it and she's worried that I will freak right out if I can't find the hb. She says she's never been able to find anything before 12 weeks. So my question is...should I do it? True, if I don't find it, I WILL lose it, but if I DO, I would be over the moon.

What do you ladies think? Any experiences with a home doppler?

Do you have a tilted uterus? If you do then I wouldn't try and find it, I have a home doppler and I couldn't find the heartbeat until like 14 weeks on mine because my uterus is tilted. If you don't then I would definitely try but remember to try not and panic if you can't find it because thats totally normal

[RedCanoe]

I would try it, it is possible to find it earlier than 12 weeks. BUT certainly no cause for concern if you don't.

Start really low, near the pubic bone and angle it down towards your feet, then move up slowly.

Tell yourself that finding it will be a bonus and not finding it will be the expected outcome, and nothing extra to worry about until Monday.

FX!!

[The Anchor]

Do you have a tilted uterus? If you do then I wouldn't try and find it, I have a home doppler and I couldn't find the heartbeat until like 14 weeks on mine because my uterus is tilted. If you don't then I would definitely try but remember to try not and panic if you can't find it because thats totally normal

I don't think so...at least no one has ever told me that I do. I'm picturing myself staring at the doppler for hours before I finally suck up the courage to try it...:)

[3Pink1Blue]

I have a home doppler and used it almost to the end with my son, it wasn't a super great one but I was able to find his heartbeat starting at around 15/16 wks. He was breach till 36wks and I used it to try to confirm he was still head down, also my girls loved hearing his heartbeat whenever they wanted. Anyway there were days where even at 37 weeks I couldn't find it and had to try again later. If you know not finding it will make you more worried don't even look.

[Mochagirl]

I bought a doppler for my recent pregnancy because I was super paranoid after having a missed m/c at 11 weeks. Even though it was a super cheap one off eBay, I found the heartbeat at 9 weeks. My midwives, with their super fancy ones didn't find the heartbeat at their office until 12 weeks. It's all about luck and patience - I think there were times I lay there for the better part of an hour looking for it - sometimes I'd think I had heard something only to have it disappear a second later. So, if you have the patience, go for it - but PLEASE do not panic if you can't hear anything since so much of it is luck.

[Sihaya]

I know it doesn't apply to the OP, but since there are many ladies on here who have had losses, I wanted to share about a service that offers free doppler rentals to ladies in the U.S. who have had miscarriages or stillbirths in the past. It is called Tiny Heartbeats (http://tinyheartbeats.org/doppler_rentals.shtml). I used a doppler from her during my most recent pregnancy. She won't send it before you are 12 weeks, but it is free and she even sends gel with them. It was a huge help for me as there was no way my husband would have been okay with me buying one.

If you are sure of your dates, I would probably go for it with the doppler at 11w5d. My ob won't do it until 12, and my midwife won't until 14, but an EMT friend swears she can always find it by 10, so it just depends.

[Butterfly Spirit]

Okay, I've got another question for you ladies. My friend has offered my her home doppler, which I will pick up today, but she's very wary about it and she's worried that I will freak right out if I can't find the hb. She says she's never been able to find anything before 12 weeks. So my question is...should I do it? True, if I don't find it, I WILL lose it, but if I DO, I would be over the moon.

What do you ladies think? Any experiences with a home doppler?

I say try it! I found mine WAAAAY down low like right on top of my vag around 12 weeks RIGHT ON the crease left side...then again maybe my baby is that low.. but anyway. Yeah, definitely go for it! I use mine all the time!
If you don't find it, perhaps it is too early.

[The Anchor]

If you saw me original edited post...I was able to find the heartbeat with the doppler. Took me about 15 minutes, but IT'S FOR SURE THERE. I am over the moon! YEEEEEEEHAAAAAAA! Found it right between my hip bone and mid pelvic bone, left side.

THANKS for all the advice! Still have my u/s on Monday so I can see bub up close and personal. Love you ladies!

[NCBeachyGrl]

That is great Anchor! I am sooooooooo glad everything is OK! Now....go get some nub shots on Monday!!!!

[Hobbermittens]

Great news!

[spinningmadly]

Thanks for the tiny heartbeats link! I am for sure emailing her now!

[Mochagirl]

What fantastic news!!

[Shellbelle]

Yay!!!

[3Pink1Blue]

Woohoo! What a relief!

[TT_3814]

That's wonderful, Anchor!!!! :D