Low Fetal Heart Rate?

I'm not a doctor, and I've not gone through this, but I am on a site that has a group of women over 40 trying to conceive. We have miscarriages, for many different reasons (not just for the age thing as you would think.) One of my friends there went to the doctor, and he thought she was going to miscarry due to the fact that she was showing a baby with not heartbeat yet, and not even a fetal pole. However, three days, later, everything, plus the heartbeat was there, and measuring perfectly on target for a baby two weeks earlier in gestation. Everything in development corresponded to that date, wonderfully. Anyway, what I've been trying to concentrate on is that you have a live baby growing in there. The doctor is looking at ONE day or glance at the picture, and while they KNOW what they are doing, with all the facts that seem apparent to them, they are NOT the controller of what is going on. Many times a date will be off, and the baby will not be as old as is originally thought. That makes intrepretations off. My advice to you is to focus on the fact that the baby is alive and growing, as far as you know. Keep eating right, and thinking in all ways positive. I can't say what the outcome will be, but here's hoping for the best. Hugs and prayers.
J.

Hi
I'm not a doctor but 8 weeks is early for getting a good heartbeat, unless they do a vaginal ultrasound I believe. When I had my son, the doctor didn't even want me to come in until 9 or 10 weeks and even then she said it's hard to get a heartbeat but that is normal. The baby is very small! I totally believe that when you go back the heartbeat will be much better! Have faith and relax. I know, I had many problems throughout my pregnancy and still have a completely healthy 16 month old boy.
Even if your doctor did a vaginal ultrasound to get the heartbeat, I still wouldn't worry, like others said, that was a moment in time. The baby was probably sleeping or whatever...
M.

my second daughter had a low heart rate her base was 110 through out my pregnancy it varied lower but not to much higher, my pregnancy was monitored closely the whole time,I had stress tests every week and twice a week as my due date got closer, it was very stressful, she was born 3 weeks early and had underdeveloped lungs, we spent 3 weeks in the NICU, but Eleven years later she is doing great she is hardly ever sick, there is hope. are you stressed?, are you working, sometimes the environment your in can be stressing to you so in turn stresses your baby. try to hold on hopefully if there was a real danger your doc would be on top of it. maybe get a second opinion

S.,

I know exactly how you feel! When I was expecting my first the doctors told me the same thing. I was so scared, not having been through a pregnancy before and not really knowing all the statistics and what the heart rate should be, etc. We were advised to wait 2 weeks like you, (although they offered to do the ultrasound again in the next day or so if we wanted, but said it may not be very helpful as far as showing growth of the fetus, heart rate, etc.) so we chose to wait the two weeks. And I was so nervous, but deep down, I knew everything was okay with the baby, and it was. I delivered a full term healthy baby girl who is now 4 years old and quite a handfull! I think doctors have an obligation to inform you of things that may happen, so just in case something does happen, you can be a little more prepared for it. Hang in there! You are in our thoughts!

Angie

Eight weeks is pretty early and if your dates could be even a day or two off then that might explain it. When a baby's heart starts to beat it is slower and in general just unpredictable until it gets more normalized.

I just went through a similar situation myself. At seven weeks my baby's heartbeat was 112, but two weeks later it was 180! Then two weeks ago it was at 150.

I wouldnt borrow trouble... but as a mom that has lost more than one baby myself, I know all too well how unnerving it is. You could request an ultrasound, it may not show much more but it could ease your mind. If your doctor is unresponsive it might be an indicator you might want to consider looking around for a new doctor. Flexibility in a doctor is a strong factor to look for, if he listens to you now chances are he will also listen to you at your birth or in the event of any issues that could arise... it's helpful to know that your doctor listens and values both your opinions and your feelings. Good luck. :-)

L.

S.,
I lost my son when I was 8 months pregnant- so I understand a potential loss can be frightening. My best advice- and the biggest thing I learned from the loss of my son, is, do not make yourself sick stressing over something you cannot control. If anything it will only make things worse. I know it's easy for me to say- but I have been there, and now live my life in this way on a day to day basis. You cannot control what will happen, So try not to panic yourself, and stress over it. Stress, in and of itself, isn't healthy for your or your baby.
I will pray for you and your babys. Good luck

I know exactly how you feel. I was in the same boat about 2 months ago. I went in at 8 weeks or so, my baby's heart rate was low. They told me that it continues to increase as time goes on and we rechecked at 10 weeks and it was normal and it was normal still at my last 14 week visit. Doctor's like to tell you these things and make you worry! I'm sure everything will be just fine!

Relax!! Take it easy stressing is not a good thing! It could be a boy.

try to relax, put your feet up and drink plenty of water. Ask daddy for a massage :)

My sister just had a beautiful baby girl who's now a month old. She had irregular heart rate too. She's a healthy 8lbs now. The more stress you feel the more stress the baby will feel. Try and keep calm and my prayers go out to you and the little one. Good luck.

i know you don't want to hear this but relax do not stress your self try not ti think about it and drink lots of water good luck think +

Try not to stress too much about it. I went to the hospital when I was 7 weeks pregnant for some bleeding I was having and my daughter's heart rate was only 75, I had a cyst, and there was also something wrong with the amount of fluid, the Dr at the hospital told me I was having a miscarraige (I could've killed him once I found out the truth!) but the next week I went back to my dr and everything came up totally normal! So just try to stay positive...

I know this may sound funny and perhaps your doctor already checked this but... the same thing happened to me when they checked the heartbeat at 8 weeks. The nurse who was looking for the heartbeat called in the doctor because the rate was low, between 80 and 95. The doctor checked around and started laughing... "That's not the baby's heart rate" he said. I was just really nervous and it was MY rate that was between 80 and 95. :0)

I went back a month later and they found the baby's heart rate completely normal. Now I've got an 8 month old, beautiful, healthy, busy, baby girl.

Everyone else is right, too. It is important that you relax so the baby doesn't sense your stress. Take 15 minutes and "worry" about it. Write your feelings/concerns in a journal and then be done with it for the day. You can't control what happens with the baby but you can control how you react.

I'll be praying for you! :0)