Low heart rates (nervous and scared)

[rikki]

Does anyone have any experience with heart rates early in pregnancy?  I had an ultrasound today that dated me at 7 weeks exactly (due date January 1st).  They want me to come back in next week for a viability ultrasound (their words) because the heart rate was low.  It was 97.  I am freaked out.  Please someone have a positive story.  

[Pilsy]

No experience, but sending prayers and positive thoughts.

[drloretta]

A quick google search had a ton of success stories, as well as doctors who won't even do a rate. A regular hb is all they're looking for, and if it's there at 7 weeks, there shouldn't be anything to worry about.

Sending good thoughts!

[cincodemayo]

My first u/s was at 6 w, 1 d and the heartrate was in the 90's. I was told that it was normal and that as the baby grows the heartrate will pick up.

[rikki]

I didn't want to Google too much, but I see lots of good stories, but then lots of bad too. I just wish they would not have used the word viability. That's what is freaking me out. I am going to just stay positive.

[lurknomore]

I had a friend who had a baby with a low heart beat. I want to say in the 70s thru out the whole pg. She saw tons of specialists and ended up delivering with one at one of the big hospitals downtown. Everyone told her they didn't know whether the baby would survive after birth. Today she's a cute little 5 yo. She does have long QT syndrome and they do have to take some precautions with that but otherwise she's great as far as I know. If you get further into this and want the name of the dr she saw up there Lmk and I'll find out for you. GL rilki!!!

[laurenh]

No experience with low heart rates but sending you lots of positive thoughts. My RE scheduling system calls our initial u/s at 7 weeks viability automatically so try not to focus on the term too much if you can!

[rikki]

May 15, 2014 14:22:40 GMT -5 lurknomore said:

I had a friend who had a baby with a low heart beat. I want to say in the 70s thru out the whole pg. She saw tons of specialists and ended up delivering with one at one of the big hospitals downtown. Everyone told her they didn't know whether the baby would survive after birth. Today she's a cute little 5 yo. She does have long QT syndrome and they do have to take some precautions with that but otherwise she's great as far as I know. If you get further into this and want the name of the dr she saw up there Lmk and I'll find out for you. GL rilki!!!

I am so happy for your friend.  Hopefully it is not needed but I will keep this in mind if there are still questions after next week's ultrasound.  Thanks so much!

[barefootcontessa]

So it sounds like the baby measured just seven weeks? that is very early. I would not worry yet. GL.

[Marmee]

It's so early & they can be off. Hope everything is fine. I had to go back for 2 follow up u/s for viability with DD3...I'm certain my OB thought I'd miscarry but she's here & fine. Good luck!

[emuni04]

Crossing over from H&F.....

At our dating u/s, my daughter had a low heart rate (in the 90's) at about 6.5 weeks. The doctors had me do a follow up u/s two weeks later and it was up to the 140's. The way they explained it to me, the heart first starts beating around 6 weeks and it can take some time for it to start picking up. I ended up delivering a healthy baby girl. Try not to stress too much (I know it's hard).

[cinco]

I had to go in for 2 follow ups b/c of low heart rate, measuring behind with DD2 and I was pretty sure of her conception date. It turned out fine. I think we just went in too early to be dated (7ish w)
Sending good vibes!

[rikki]

Thanks for all the good anecdotes and well wishes, friends!

[badtzmaru22]

Try not to worry about the term "viability". It's likely just the medical term they have to use for insurance purposes. I'm sure everything is fine. Thinking good thoughts for you!

[shelbyann]

DD's HR was in the 90s at our first u/s, around 6w. We also had to go back for a follow up but all was fine, it was just early.

Lots of good vibes for you!

[statlerwaldorf]

Dd's heart rate was low at 7w3d. At 6w3d there wasn't even a heartbeat yet, so my doctor thinks it had just started beating which is why it was low. Her heart rate was in the normal range for the rest of the pregnancy.

[SJ]

My first US was at 6w4d and the HB was around 110.

It rose after that and no other concerns.

I will be thinking of you friend!

[Deleted]

Both of my healthy kids had heart rates in the low 80s at that point. I only know because I was at a specialist who cared. My regular dr. doesn't even care about heart rate (other than consistent and present) until 12plus weeks and he said even then he sees anything from 80 all the way to the 170s as normal until the end.

[andthentherewere10]

Ours was low 100s at the beginning and now I have a baby in my lap! Good luck.

[MrsAggie]

Per americanpregnancy.org, a normal HR is 90-110 (average) at 6-7 weeks. At 6w4d, mine was 121 so I wasn't even average. Even once babies are born, there are some babies that just have low resting HRs but their oxygen levels are 100% so they're perfectly healthy.