At this time next week, I will be having my 12 week ultrasound and (hopefully) watching my baby bounce around in my belly. The Prince wasn’t at the last ultrasound, so he didn’t get to see our baby do its little dance last week. I can’t wait to watch his face when he sees it. Everything is so new and exciting to us. I love sharing that with him.
I broke down and bought a home fetal Doppler to listen to the baby’s heartbeat. Who am I kidding…there was no breaking down. I never really had any intention of not buying one. But I promised myself when I ordered it that I would not freak out if I didn’t hear the heartbeat early on. I made a deal with myself that I would just use it for reassurance between ultrasounds.
Well, the Doppler arrived on Monday. I tried for half an hour a night, on Monday and Tuesday, to find the baby’s heartbeat. I found mine with ease, so I know the Doppler works. But I couldn’t find the baby’s. I even filled my bladder as full as I could and tilted my pelvis in the air with four pillows, trying to get the uterus as far up into the abdomen as possible, in hopes that I could find the baby more easily that way. No such luck.
I’m not exactly freaking out about the situation, but I am frustrated. I still feel pregnant (whatever that means), so I am holding onto that. Plus, the directions that came with the Doppler said that it can detect the heartbeat at 8 weeks, but will definitely find it by 12 to 14 weeks. I am only at 11 weeks…so I’ve got a little ways to go before I can really be too concerned. Still, I would be lying if I said that not hearing the heartbeat didn’t make me more impatient for next week’s ultrasound.
On a side note, my friend from Bring on the Babies could use a little extra support this week. She has been so supportive to me and my fertility friends during our journeys. It would be great if she got some extra bloggy love during her tough time.
5 comments:
I wouldn't be too worried about not hearing it on the Doppler, I've still never been successful with my Doppler and hearing the heart beat and I'm 34 weeks. Enjoy every moment it will fly by and then you will be left wondering where the time went.
I can't wait to hear how the 12 week US goes!! I've also heard those dopplers are really finicky, my sister never got hers to work, so don't stress!
Regarding the doppler, I couldn't find it at 11 weeks either. My doctor husband was able to, but it took him a while (like 10 full minutes!) and he eventually found it by basically putting the wand just above my pubic bone and pressing down and in. It's *really* low at 11 weeks! I think it took me a couple more weeks before I could find it consistently. So no worries! It doesn't mean anything that you couldn't find it! I never would have on my own.
I was only able to pick up the hb at 14 weeks. I used the doppler only after an ultrasound so that I could relax if I didn't find it. It was more like a weekend treat than a daily ritual as I didn't want to become obsessed and feel as if I NEEDED it.
I agree with everyone else about the Doppler.. in some ways I'm glad I'm in China and can't get one easily, so I don't have to decide whether to or not! Looking forward to hearing about your scan :) xx
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