I felt my baby's heartbeat.

[Dea]

The other day I was sitting quietly outside (waiting for a table in a restaurant) and I was really tuned out to the whole world just being alone within myself. And I realized I could feel my babies heartbeat. It wasn't hiccups because it was about double my heartbeat and consistant. I thought it was mine and was a little concerned, then I "found" mine and felt them both. It was really surreal and really comforting.
Do you think it was possible? The position of it was low on my right side of my uterus, about mid way between the top and bottom (of my uterus). I've never heard of anyone feeling their baby's heartbeat before. But what else could it have been? It was gentle and faint, but really there, I wasn't making it up. I've been told before by (sports) coaches and trainers that I am really aware of my body. Perhaps that helped?

[steph117]

Hi Dea,

I remembered your post & wanted to respond - this has been happening to me for the past few days! (Though for me, it's been more physical - I've felt it with my hand.) The first time was the other day when I was sitting with my hand on my abdomen feeling the baby move, and as it quieted down I picked up this rhythmic little...pulsing? What could it be, I wondered, it feels faster than kicking...I finally thought, oh, maybe I'm just picking up my heartbeat. So, I left one hand on that pulse and felt my own pulse with my other hand, and realized with astonishment that the pulse in my abdomen was definitely the babe's heartbeat! I guess its back was to my belly?

Last night it happened again - my hubby & I both felt it. It's just AMAZING to pick that up.

There have been a few times when I've kind of "sensed" it, though, as you described below.

And like you...after years of bodywork, I'm definitely extra-sensitive to my body. I don't know if that has anything to do with it at this point, maybe everyone is picking that up by now? but in any case...it makes me feel soooooooooo happy

[LawrenceDoula]

My husband has heard my baby's heartbeat through my tummy. I could tell it's back was up against my skin and just sensed that it's heart beat would be audible, and I was right! I'm 23 weeks.

I trust mother's intuitions. Anything is possible.

[Dea]

YAY I'm not a total nutcake!

[smokeylo]

I'm going to disagree with you all! My midwife told me at my last appt that if I think I'm feeling the baby's heartbeat, I am in fact feeling my baby suck his or her thumb. It's rhythmic and pulsing, but it's not a hb. I still think it's totally cute, though!

[NamastePlatypus]

I have been trying to get it with a stethascope but no luck! YEAH for you!

[steph117]

smokeylo - seriously? they suck that fast? like 170 sucks per minute? that's some serious sucking action!

eh...i prefer to think it's the heartbeat, personally.

[Dea]

When do they start sucking on their thumbs? And it's the same as a heartbeat?

[NamastePlatypus]

Originally Posted by Dea

When do they start sucking on their thumbs? And it's the same as a heartbeat?

e was suckin away at 18 weeks hard core and every u/s after he had foot/feet/hand/hands/cord/placenta in his mouth going at it! There was a spot on my placneta that he had always sucked on in the same spot He was a bit orally fixated VERy early on!

[Dea]

Babies can suck on the placenta? That is so fascinating! Can it cause any problems for the mother or the baby?

Oh the things I learn on here!

[smokeylo]

Originally Posted by Dea

When do they start sucking on their thumbs? And it's the same as a heartbeat?

Around 17/18 weeks, when the lungs start developing more. It's not the SAME as a heartbeat, but it's a similar rhythmic pulse. Apparently in utero babies are sucking machines!

[NamastePlatypus]

Originally Posted by Dea

Babies can suck on the placenta? That is so fascinating! Can it cause any problems for the mother or the baby?

Oh the things I learn on here!

oh yeah he was a suck amchine!

[HappyMommaBear]

I think it's possible.
And man, that is awesome!