At my 16 week apt. the dr. listened to the heart rate and it was very slow at first - like 115. I could even tell it was low by the sound of it. But then she tried again and she said it was back up to 136. She said that sometimes happens - that the baby has normal fluxuations in heart rate. I've had 2 other babies and have never heard them be lower than 140's for my two girls. Has anyone ever had a slow heart rate in the office or these fluxuations?
I would try not to worry, I've heard of this happening a lot! and 136 is normal, there is an old wives tale that says heart rate above 140 = girl and below 140=boy. Maybe your just have blue this time. :)
with our first, we had a lot of ultrasounds and non-stress tests, and sometimes her heartrate was a little low too, but would go back up. as we got further into the pregnancy, the fluxuations happened less and less as she grew and her heart got stronger. you're still early on, so i'm sure as you go along, it'll get stronger.
I had a couple of visits (during the 3rd trimester I think) with my son where is HR was on the low side (like in the 120's I believe). I remember one of those times making them check it again before I left. He was fine though and he's now 3yrs old. So try not to worry - I know that's easier said than done. Maybe you can go back before your next appt just to have them check the HR again. Maybe the baby was just sleeping...... Good luck and try not to stress to much!
I agree with those who said when its a slow heartbeat its a boy. My two boys the heart beat was always in the 110-140 range and my daughter was always much higher. (My kids are 15, 12, and 4.) They'l be checking it frequently, so I wouldn't worry about it.
I just had this happen to me at the doctor last week too and I got freaked out. The babies H/R was 118-120's. It had never been that low and my first son was never that low either. My dr could tell I was concerned so they gave me an ultrasound and my baby looks great, good weight, moving around like crazy, and the ultrasound sound showed the H/R as 128. I am 32wks so I expected it slow down the further along I got - I just didn't think it would get that slow. She told me that anywhere from 110-180 is prefectly fine and yes, the heartrate can fluctuate greatly depending on the babies activity level at that moment.
I know it is hard not to worry but I am sure everything will be fine. Congradulations and good luck!
A normal fetal heart rate is 120-160. And just like us the baby's heart rate will fluctuate with activity such as sleeping or when the baby is more active. I would not worry. Also, to get an accurate reading the heart rate should be listened to for more than one minute.
Lisa
I was on bedrest for 10 days in the hospital while preggo w/ my 1st son. They had me hooked up to a fetal doppler pretty much all day, & you would be totally surprised at how much their lil' hearts fluctuate. When it went below 110 it would alarm the nurse, it so freaked me out at first. But the nurses explained to me, that sometimes they are moving around, they pick up your heartbeat, they're asleep etc. But as long as it goes right back up everything's fine. In fact, they said it is a sign of a very healthy baby, and if it didn't fluctuate they would be more concerned about that than the occasional dips.
So basically what I am trying to say is, try not to worry, it does happen and it sounds like everything's fine!! Good Luck.
I was at 119 when the baby was 6 weeks old. That was the lowest I had ever. But maybe your doctor picked up your heartbeat by mistake. That is is inbetween a fetus and a mom's rate but maybe you were excited? I know a baby can be considered average with a rate of 120 to 180 so that is almost normal. Maybe it was just a fluke if it was the baby and it was at rest and resting really hard?
I'd be nervous if I was you too. Not because I needed to but because I'm a mom and I'm pregnant. I'd voice my concerns to my doctor. I really would again not because I think anythings wrong but because they are your OB and they would make you feel better! It is their job! They could give you an U/S, bonus I've always had the sex at 16 weeks at U/S. ALL my 3 children. :) So I'd tell them you are very concerned and ask for an U/S to calm your nerves or you'll go crazy!
Like I said it is their job to make you feel better.
My baby's heart rate has been slow at times and when the midwife "wakes" the baby up (by shaking my belly a little), the heart rate goes back up. Sometimes, only to the 120's or 130's. But, then next visit, it might be back up to the 140's and 160's. I am 33 weeks now and baby is doing fine!
Baby's do have normal fluctuations, just like we do. Have someone take your hr during deep sleep and then again while you are doing your normal daily activities. You will find wide variations with yours, too.
First off, congrats on your pregnancy!
Anything from 120bpm to 170bpm is in the normal range, so your baby's heartbeat really wasn't that low. I had the same thing with my last pregnancy - 112bpm at times, but on average about 156bpm or so, sometimes up to 168bpm. If you are concerned, you can purchase a monitor to us at home so you are able to listen to baby's heartbeat yourself. Some of the more expensive ones have a display showning the bpm.
Good luck!
Oh, and the old wive's tale of over 140 being a girl, and under being a boy is proven wrong 4 times for me! I have a girl, usually 126bpm or around there, and three boys, all of which had heartbeats in the 150's. I wouldn't bet on it if I were you! :)
Like other people said, I had one visit where the heart rate was that low with my son. My OB just figured he was sleeping, which I guess was right as he's a healthy 4-year-old now.
