Doppler Question

Just got back from the my 13 week appt. I had a CVS last week and was hoping for an u/s for reassuraince that all was well, but instead he just used that damn doppler. It took him a few seconds to find the heartbeat so of course I thought the worst. I'm so nervous to begin with about this pregnacy. Anyway, he found it and says it was good. I did hear it, but it wasn't nearly as obvious it is looks/sounds on u/s. It was very muffled. Is this normal at 13 weeks? I thought by now it should be found immediately and be a bit more obvious.

Re: Doppler Question

It may have been muffled just b/c of where the baby was laying at the time doc took it.. or how the doctor had the doppler on you.. or which way baby was facing... could be alot of different reason dont worry. Im sure if the doctor was concerned he would have had more testing done on you. Try not to stress yourself out.

Re: Doppler Question

Completely normal at this point to take a few seconds to find the HB, and for it to be lower than what you would hear on the u/s

Re: Doppler Question

It's usually muffled on the doppler, as it's picking up other "noise"

Re: Doppler Question

I have a retroverted and anterior utnerus. They weren't able to get the HB on doppler until 16-18 weeks for me and even so it was after about 15 minutes of searching and for a very long period of time my little one runs away and tries to hide when they are trying to listen to her heart!

THe muffled sound is normal, the baby is still very small and you are detecting a heartbeat through layers of skin, tissue, muscles and thick walled uterus, possibly placenta and then the baby. When you hear the HB via ultrasound and it sounds nice and clear it is because you aren't listening to the baby's EXACT HB. THe ultrasound picks up the sounds waves and it is "translated" through the computer in to a nice clear crisp computer generated HB!


YOU ARE FINE!!!

Re: Doppler Question

I thought the same thing! At my 8 and 12 wk ultrasounds, we didn't get to hear the heartbeat but it was beating super fast on the screen. Then at 16 wks, they used the doppler thing and it sounded a lot slower. I was told everything sounded good and normal. If they aren't concerned, you shouldn't be either.

Re: Doppler Question

The baby is still small, so I wouldnt worry that it took the dr a minute to find the hb. It happened to me around the same time. As long as the dr is ok with everything, I wouldn't worry yourself!

Re: Doppler Question

yes, totally normal! and i find that my doctor just finds it quickly and then stops before I can really enjoy it.....i rented one from stork radio so i can listen to my baby every night - great for the worrier!!!

Re: Doppler Question

At my 13wk appt it took doc about 10 solid minutes to find the hb. Baby is still very small and so much depends on positioning. My placenta was also in the front. If the doc was concerned they would have hooked you up for an US right away. Even at 36wks the hb is still very muffled on doppler - no worries!

Re: Doppler Question

I am 25 weeks and it still sounds muffled

Re: Doppler Question

Thank you all so much for sharing those experiences. I know you arell right and I shouldn't worry. I really appreciate the reassurance.

Re: Doppler Question

I am 28 weeks. At like 25 weeks I went to the ER for some cramping and my little one was moving so much that it took them a few minutes to find the HB...

I think at 13 weeks, it is perfectly normal

Re: Doppler Question

I'm 27 weeks and there are still times it takes a while to find my baby's heartbeat! And it also sounds pretty muffled - so don't worry about it - it's definitely normal, especially at your stage in the game.