OB couldn't find HB with Doppler. I'm Scared!!

[pep23]

Hi all-
I'm 9 weeks pregnant and yesterday was my first OB appointment. He tried to find the baby's heartbeat with a doppler and couldn't locate it so now I am freaking out. He told me that it is early and not typical to find it but sometimes he will get lucky which is why he tried. But still for someone who has gone through three IVF cycles to get pregnant this is hard to just brush off. I asked for an ultrasound and he said it really wasn't neccessary and to just come back in three weeks and surely we would hear it then. THREE weeks?? Are you serious?? I am going to have a nervous breakdown before then!! I did see a heartbeat with my RE on a transvaginal ultrasound at 6 weeks (120 bpm) and 8 weeks (175 bpm) but I'm still scared to death. I have had too many friends with missed misscarriages to assume everything is ok. Anyone have any advice? Has this happened to anyone before? Is 9 weeks really too early for a doppler?

Please help!!

Thanks ladies!

[hjw]

pep23 - from what I understand, 9 weeks is a little early to be finding a heartbeat with a Doppler, and I'm sure everything is just fine in there. However, I think your OB's attitude is disgraceful and if he was going to try and listen, then he should have been prepared to give you a quick u/s to set your mind at rest if he couldn't find the heartbeat with the Doppler.

If I were you, I would call up the OB's office and insist that they give you an u/s right now (explaining that you have spent the entire time since your appointment panicking that something has gone wrong), and if that doesn't work I would call up your RE, explain what happened and ask if they will give you a quick u/s just to find the heartbeat and reassure you that your little bean is doing just great. I would also think very seriously about changing your OB! I mean, do you want that kind of unhelpful attitude for the result of your pregnancy? As I said, I'm sure everything is going perfectly, but us IVF'ers all worry about everything anyway (even when stupid OB's haven't given us a reason to) and 3 weeks is a long time for you to be sitting and getting anxious!

Let us know how you get on. Hang in there!

Hazel

[pep23]

Thanks Hazel! I think sometimes regular OBs just don't understand how on edge we are as IVF patients. I do have a DD from a past IVF and he was my OB and I loved him through that pregnancy so I am probably going to stay with him but it does bother me. He is just veeery laid back. Which in a way his relaxed attitude calms my nerves...but not this time! I called my RE this AM and she agreed to see me at 1PM today for a scan. She is the best. Now I just need to make it through the morning at work...

[gi]

Pep,

Sorry your doctor scared you but from what i have read 9 wks is way to early for most to detect heartbeat on doppler, today was the 1st time my doc. used a doppler to find the heartbeat and i am 20 wks!!! They wouldnt use it at 12 wks as said prob. wouldnt find it. I am sure everyting is fine but i really do understand your fears it is hard to relax after all we have been thro.

gi xxx

[babyluv]

Hope everything goes well pep, I'm sure it will! My friend had her doppler check at 12 weeks and they couldn't find it, so did an u/s and there is was. Sometimes the baby just isn't cooperating. GL!

[pep23]

Thanks ladies!! Had a scan at my RE and little bean was moving all over. Healthy as can be and measuring right on track so I'm very relieved. I am thinking I may ask my OB to forget about the doppler until he is SURE he can find something! That was too scary for me!

[angelaezra]

Pep - I have to agree w/ the ladies, your OB should have provided you w/ a u/s to ease your mind. But, 9 weeks is early and sometimes it is hard to detect the heartbeat at that stage. I agree w/ Hazel, you should call and request one to ease your mind. Talk w/ one of his colleagues if you have to.

Good luck! Please let us know how you are doing!

Angela

[sorcet]

i think its a little irresponsible for the OB to create such worry in your mind, i went in for an appointment at 11 wks and was told they wouldnt be able to find it so instead of making me crazy the soonest they check it is 13 weeks. im glad ur RE was able to ease your mind though id def be a little upset about how they handled the situation at ur OBs office.

[karenthescorpio]

I agree with Hazel. I would seriously consider finding another OB. This is just the beginning of your pregnancy. A dismissive attitude is not acceptable. He/she is getting paid to treat you. Or you could try first having a stern talk with your OB. Express how he/she made you feel and that you don't like being dismissed like that and left to leave his/her office feeling in a panic. I would change no doubt. But a stern conversation can go a long way too. So happy to hear all is ok. xo Karen

[Kamaile]

i went to my OB at 15 weeks and asked him if he could use the doppler to let me hear the heartbeat and he said 'no, its too early'....maybe he could have found it at that point but he knew that if he couldn't, it would throw me into a panic also so he just said no....i agree that some OB's just don't know how much us IVF ladies go thru and just don't realize that just saying every thing is fine is not enough...we need PROOF ..lol...but glad all is well Pep!