Fluctuations in a fetal heartbeat are normal. Just like our heartrates (mine ranges between 60-90 depending on level of activity) a fetal heartrate will go up or down depending on level of activity (higher when kicking and moving around and lower when asleep). Anywhere between 120-180 beats per minute is considered to be a normal fetal heartrate.

No, neither of you are doing anything wrong.

The Hi Bebe fetal doppler is a bit less sensitive than the one your doctor probably has (and the Tummy Tickles ones that we rent here). So many factors play into how early a baby's heartbeat can be heard in the womb (shape of uterus, size of pelvic cavity, size of mother, gestational age of baby - correct dates, and the list goes on).

With a Tummy Tickles doppler you can usually hear the heartbeat between 8-10 weeks, but I have had some people report that they could not hear the heartbeat until after 10 weeks. It really depends on so many things.

One thing I must stress to anyone having difficulty hearing the heartbeat. There is a very large range of NORMAL. That is, just because your friend who is also pregnant found the heartbeat with the same doppler that you are using at 8 weeks, does not mean that you will. It also does not mean there is anything wrong with your pregnancy. Everyone is shaped different and every pregnancy is different. Its hard to pin down how early any one woman will be able to hear her baby's heartbeat.

As far as trying to determine whether or not you are pregnant with twins, I would rely best on the ultrasound rather than your doppler. I would definitely bring it up with your doctor at your next appt and see if he/she comes up with the same thing. Let us know how you make out, I am interested to hear if they really did miss a twin pregnancy with an ultrasound at 8 weeks.

Hello Anonymous

For twin monitoring you can usually tell the twins apart due to the fact that they often/usually have different heartrates. A baby's heartrate can be anywhere from 120-180 so usually you will see Baby A beating at say 130 and Baby B will be at 150 or something like that.

----------
Michelle,
Site Administrator

Hmmmm, its hard to say. I would trust an ultrasound over a doppler really but I have heard of multiples being missed on a ultrasound before. Perhaps you should bring your doppler in and show your doctor. Ask her/him what they think. Keep me posted! I am eager to hear the results.

----------
Michelle,
Site Administrator

Yes that could be the baby's heartbeat. The Hi Bebe doppler is less sensitive than the Tummy Tickles doppler usually picking up heartbeats at around 12 weeks or more. If you have a bit of extra weight it can be a little more difficult to hear the heartbeat until the baby grows up and out of your uterus. Also, fetal activity (they are hard to find when they are active) and the mother's body shape (depth of uterus etc) can play an important role too.

Why has this happened? and what does this mean?
Also could you please enlighten me, is it upto 140 it is a boy and from 140 upwards its a girl?

Please try not to worry though, not hearing a fetal heartbeat is NOT a sign that something is wrong with your pregnancy. Many factors, including uterus shape and size, doppler quality, acurate pregnancy date etc.

Check back in and let us know how you are doing! Congratulations on your pregnancy!