What's the earliest you've know someone to see the heartbeat?

[bublegirl1]

I am getting anxious about my appt Friday. Since the one I had on July 31 showed only a teeny tiny sac, and the NP told me I'm either super early or MCing. I KNOW I wasn't 8 weeks like they thought based on LMP but still am hoping for a GREAT recheck Friday. Thanks!

[ann_of_loxley]

5 weeks I think is when they can see a heart beat. I think when checking that early though, its a vaginal ultrasound scan?

[momma2girls]

you should be able to see a heartbeat at your appt. I am due the 3rd and saw the heartbeat tonight. good luck!

[floiejo2]

I just read on one of those week by week sites that the baby's heartbeat doesn't start beating until 6 weeks and it's only detectable via vaginal ultrasound. With my first we heard the heartbeat at 11 weeks, with my second I think it was a couple weeks later before we could hear it, but did see it on ultrasound.

[bublegirl1]

Thanks ladies, I should be just over 6 weeks when I go and yes it's a vaginal US, so hopefully everything will look great!

[Realrellim]

You can usually see it around 6 weeks, definitely by 7-1/2 weeks. I had one at 5w6d and they were able to detect a HB.

[Peace+Hope]

4w, 5d

could anyone tell me, when is the earliest for

- regular/abdominal (don't know what it's called) ultrasound

- doppler (like, with a midwife)

?????

thanks!

[momz3]

No one can give you a sure answer as it is VERY different for everyone. I have been on so many websites where women are literally freaking out because they are 6 weeks and do not see a heartbeat. Keep in mind, that at around 6 weeks, the baby's heart is just beginning to beat. You may or may not detect it then. Anyway, so you have so many women freaking out and their docs tell them they will miscarry until, what do ya know, at week 7 or 8, there's a heartbeat!

because conception dates are different for everyone, it is hard to say exactly. I've seen ultrasounds online where ppl have claimed to see a BABY at 4 weeks. Chances are, they are not *really* four weeks, but further along.

In either case, try not to stress. I had to go to the er for back pain (that ended up being nothing but constipation! lol) and they could not detect anything in utero and they told me they didn't expect to as I was only 4 weeks 3 days when I went and they even said they'd be suprised if they saw a sac at 4 weeks!

[Peace+Hope]

thanks, momz3. i asked because my husband and i are going on a 3-week trip from 8-11 weeks. i'd really like to have some reassurance everything is going ok before we leave town, kwim? i was charting, so i KNOW my ovulation/conception date.

just trying to figure out what to do. maybe i'll start a thread asking advice.

[momz3]

Would it be possible to schedule an appt at around 7 1/2 weeks? By then, usually there is a fetal pole and a heartbeat. I wouldn't go looking for anything before then, though. I'm paranoid as it is, I don't need an early scan unless there is a reason to suspect a problem!

[bublegirl1]

Originally Posted by momz3

Would it be possible to schedule an appt at around 7 1/2 weeks? By then, usually there is a fetal pole and a heartbeat. I wouldn't go looking for anything before then, though. I'm paranoid as it is, I don't need an early scan unless there is a reason to suspect a problem!

Well they made me go in on July 31st based on my LMP, even though I told them I am not 8 weeks, based on ovulation. So then, knowing that, they still said I am either way off with my dates or MCing. I told her "yeah, my dates ARE way off from what you guys think, I already told you that." So she said to come back in two weeks to make sure it's progressing. So I am gonna try not to worry if there is no HB. i think with DS 1 I didn't see one at 6 weeks but I did at 8 so we shall see.

[2xy]

Sometimes there's confusion because most pregnancies are spoken of in "menstrual age" (the time since the first day of your last period), but every so often a practitioner will speak in terms of "fetal age" (time since actual conception.

A human embryo's heart begins to beat on Day 22 of development. That would be 4-1/2 weeks since your last period. It's often too tiny to see anything for a few more days. When I was working in ultrasound, I think 5 weeks was the earliest I visualized a heartbeat (transvaginally).

If a woman thinks she's 6 weeks along and no heartbeat is seen on a vaginal US, it's because 1) her dates are wrong, 2) the person operating the machine is inept, or 3) the embryo has stopped developing. It's more common for a 6 weeker to not see a heartbeat with a transabdominal US, but the heart should definitely be beating. It's just a matter of proper date calculation or scanning technique.

[arabellalysette]

I had a vag US today and saw a heartbeat.Dr said I MIGHT be 6 weeks,but wont know fully till I go back in,in 2 weeks.

[mys197gt]

I went in at 6w (on the dot) and we were able to see both the heartbeats (twins)

[CherryBomb]

I was 6w0d when I saw my 3rd daughter's heartbeat (transvaginal). Try not to stress

2xy, thanks for the info from someone who's worked in u/s

[bublegirl1]

I saw it today!! 5w 4d..soooo happy and relieved! Such a tiny little thing but that flicker was the best thing EVER!! Thanks ladies!!