possible to hear just one beat of baby's heartbeat at 10.5 weeks?

[caedmyn]

We interview a CPM on Sunday, and I asked if she would attempt to find baby's heartbeat. I was 10.5 weeks, which I know is on the early side to hear the heartbeat. She listened for a while and said that she'd caught "a beat" a couple of times but never a sustained heart tone. I guess I'm wondering if it is possible for experienced midwives to be able to distinguish just one beat of baby's heartbeat from the various other sounds, or if she was just trying to be reassuring.

[MidwifeErika]

Is it possible that she could have heard 2-5 of them? It wouldn't be enough to count to give a FHT, but it would be rapid enough to know that it was fetal and not maternal. I have had that happen before where I heard "thump-thump-thump-thump................." and it was gone as quickly as it showed up, but no doubts that it was fetal due to being so rapid. Babies at 10.5 weeks can be tricky to catch for a prolonged period of time.

[MaerynPearl]

even at 18 weeks mine can move suddenly after a couple of beats and we have to search for it again.

I wouldnt worry, first of all yes it is EXTREMELY early to be hearing it even! While a lot of women do hear it that early, a lot more have to wait until 12-14 weeks to hear it... even trying daily until then (when I got my doppler I was in that area of time and for the first few times trying it I couldnt find anything, then suddenly it was there, very soft but there. over time its gotten to where its quite loud and strong!