such a disapointing and scary appointment.

Really stressed and frustrated. So I had my first OB appointment which I was really looking forward to since I am already almost 15 weeks, and none of my questions were answered. Well he only picked up one baby heartbeat. He told me not to be concerned because there is no way to hear two heartbeats without an ultrasound. However I am sure that I have read where people get to hear both babies heartbeats.

When you have appointments do you get to hear both heartbeats, or just one?

 

Finding two is definitely possible. It is sometimes a challenge.

 

You should be having an ultrasound at every appt if you want one, I'm pretty sure. I had one at every appt. Maybe you need another doctor??

 

I'd be upset too. I get an U/S at every appointment.

When are you supposed to get your next ultrasound?

 

My next ultrasound is not for 3 or 4 more weeks. Then he will see me 5 weeks from today. The OB does not have an ultrasound machine but the centre across the street does so I don't know why he doesn't just send me there. I am still in shock. I am going to ask the MFM if I can get an ultrasound sooner especially now that others have heard both heartbeats.

 

I had the same experience when I was 15 weeks. . . The doctor found only one heartbeat and said it was pretty common at that point. . . They didn't offer an ultrasound because my OB's office does not do ultrasounds for twins. . .I had to wait until my 18 week level II ultrasound at the perinatologist. . . It was a tough couple of weeks (especially since I had a previous miscarriage) but everything turned out fine . . .They have been able to get 2 heartbeats at almost every appt since and Now I am 33 weeks and doing great! As hard as it is, try not to worry too much. . .Good Luck!

Laura

 

Thanks Lukesmom that is a little comforting to know. However I know that I will worry everyday...lol. I just lost one of my triplets 2 weeks ago so I am very worried to lose another one or both already and to not find the heartbeat does make me a little panicked...but I am sure we are all at that point somewhere in our twin pregnancy...lol. I see the MFM on thursday so hopefully he has better luck. Although I don't even know if he looks for heartbeats or not.

 

Since its harder to find them on the doppler, I have a mini ultrasound every appointment to make sure their hearts are doing good. I have to healthy babies, but they have NEVER heard both heartbeats with a doppler. Once when my regular DR was out of town, I had another one try for a good 10min, with no luck.

I hope you get your ultrasound soon .. thinking of you :hug:

 

Im sorry you didn't have a good appointment. I also had an u/s with every appointment because my Dr said it was way too hard to find both heartbeats with a doppler.

 

At my second OB appointment I didn't get an U/S and was expecting one. I was very disappointed and my OB had the U/S tech take a quick peek just to calm my nervers. From there on out, they've made sure to warn me ahead of time as to which appts would have and U/S and when they wouldn't. As for the doppler, the nurse has had a hard time finding both heart beats for me early on when they were on top of each other.

 

:hug: I'm sorry it was not as great as you expected. And of course you are worried not knowing! :hug: So, do you have an ultrasound scheduled?

 

We never were able to find both heartbeats without an ultrasound - try not to worry! My little Amelia always hid - even from the ultrasounds! One time the doctor said "This is the baby that's going to cause you to need a C-Section" b/c she was always flipping and trying to hide! But she is here today and was born at 6 pounds 2 ounces - but she is definitely a little stinker!

Even when I went into labor they couldn't find Amelia's heartbeat, it took them an hour to place the little electrode things on my belly! They always picked up Lily right away but not Miss Amelia!

 

I'm sorry that they are leaving you to worry and wonder!

I've been lucky and the Dr has found both heartbeats on doppler at every appointment so far (starting at about 18 weeks), though he reassured me each time that if he COULDN'T we'd pop over for a quick ultrasound.

I hope they can get you in sooner than later just for some reassurance!

 

I have had two appointments where they heard both heart beats both times. The first time one of the babies was quieter than the other. I wouldn't be too scared just yet...but I completely understand that it isn't that easy! Your doctor probably just said it was impossible because he didn't want to take the time.
Good luck...my thoughts are with you.

 

wait a minute - you lost a triplet and they're not doing u/s at each appt? I got a u/s every 4 weeks - they should be monitoring you closer than that...I saw the Peri every 4 weeks and the OB every 4 weeks in 2 week staggard intervals so I never went more than 2 weeks without seing a doctor...

 

I think some doctors have that attitude because they feel if , god forbid, something happened it is too early to do anything anyway. My 2 always had very close HB's, so sometimes I doubted they were hearing 2 distinct beats. My doctor usually did an ultrasound if I was at all stressed about it.

I myself had a doppler that I used often and I usually could only hear one heartbeat. Sometimes in more than one spot, but I was never convinced it was the other twin.

I'm sure everything is fine, if you are worried get the ultrasound.. it isn't worth losing sleep over.

 

Yes I lost a triplet at 12 weeks. I am seeing an MFM (I think thats the same as a peri) every few weeks. He did not say I would be having an ultrasound this week but he did do one 2 weeks ago.

My OB does not have an ultrasound machine and doesn't seem to think it necessary as my ultrasound through him is not booked for 3 more weeks.

I am hoping that my OB was just having an off day because when I was pregnant with my daughter he was great and very attentitive.

 

Finding two is possible, but my OB had also told me at one of my very first visits that it is very hard to actually pick up both heartbeats and to not be alarmed if she could only find one. She usually tried really hard to find both, but occasionally only one was heard.

 

My peri always did a quickie U/S to check H/B's, never used the doppler. They also used the U/S to measure my cervix length. But I only saw a peri, not a peri and an OB.

 

My ob also did an u/s at every visit because she didn't want to rely on the doppler for their hb's- she couldn't be sure if she was hearing them both. I also got an u/s at my peri's every 2 weeks. I'm sorry you had a bad appt. Would you consider switching drs?

 

My dr did find both babies on the doppler at 20 weeks or so. I am sorry you are having to go through this. With your history, I think I would have demanded an ultrasound ASAP and I think the dr should have understood.

 

I just got in from the MFM and it was amazing. What a different class of care. Such detailed history, and answered all my questions fully. I spent the first 2 hours with just the nurse practitioner but she was amazing. She wasn't able to locate both heartbeats which had me nervous but then I met with the MFM and he found both easily. So everything is fine with both babies. He emphasised that I need to be seeing either him or my OB every two weeks so to push my doc and he would send a fax stating that. If I OB doesn't coportate then the MFM will take over my care completely and see me every two weeks. I just don't want to have to do that becaue its in another city so its like 5 hour day just to see him so hopefully I can get my OB to agree. The MFM said if the OB just checks my Cervix that will be enough and the MFM will do all the tests and ultrasounds. So I go back in 2 weeks for another ultrasound but at least everything is great.

 

I am so glad to hear this. I have learned (the hard way) we can't be afraid to offend anyone, WE are the defenders of our babies. (Even till they are 18!) STAND UP FOR THEM! I will fight for my babies more than I would EVER fight for me, they need me to. And never more so than when they are twins in your belly. There is WAY too much ignorance about twins in teh medical profession. FIGHT, MAMA BEAR, FIGHT!!!