I found it! I found it! I finally found the baby's heartbeat, little sucker. I hadn't tried in a week. It was just too discouraging to look for it and find nothing. Especially after the whole spotting incident.
But I tried again today, and there it was! AH, the relief! I laid on my bed and cried a few thankful tears, while listening to that quick thumping melody. So for anyone out there who's doing the whole home doppler thing, and is possibly also having trouble locating the hearbeat, please note that I couldn't hear a thing until 13 weeks.
I don't have a doppler with electronic readouts of beats per minute, so I tried to count. From what I could tell, the rate was right around 120 bpm. Of course, because I am a neurotic freak, I immediately started worrying that the rate was too low. What is wrong with me? Why can't I just be happy for once? I know that anything between 120 and 180 is normal, but still. I wish it were more like 130 or 150 bpm.
So there you have it. Exquisite joy and nagging anxiety, all in the space of about two minutes. But that's pretty much par for the course with this pregnancy. I suppose I should just get used to it. Mostly, though, I'm relieved and very very happy. Think I'll go do a little jig now.
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UPDATE:
Well, apparently pregnancy has so mushed my brain that I am no longer even capable of counting. My husband wasn't around when I found the heartbeat the first time, so last night we found it again so he could hear it. (He was, by the way, simultaneously thrilled and stunned senseless. Afterwards he kept walking around the house muttering, "there's so much to do. there's so much to do.")
Anyway, by his calculations, the doppler registered 168 bpm. He used my method of counting for 15 seconds, and then multiplying by four. 168 is a much better number for this stage in the pregnancy, from what my google medical library tells me. When I didn't believe him, he counted again just to be sure. Gee, who knew I had lost even my ability to count to double digits? But I'm liking that number, oh yes I am.
just another infertile here. found your site today. That's great that you heard the heartbeat. whishing you all the best and hoping one day to be one of those pregnant infertiles like you!
Posted by: lulu | February 12, 2005 at 09:49 PM
Oh that is great news. You must be ecstatic - and what does DH say - can he hear it too. Big grin Lobster, a big fat cheesey grin. I am so happy for you.x
Posted by: eM | February 12, 2005 at 10:17 PM
Sweet relief my friend! So glad to hear the news--that's great! Now get off the computer and go listen to that sweet sound!!
XOXO
Posted by: Dee | February 13, 2005 at 07:17 PM
Wonderful news! So glad that you finally found that soothing music!
Posted by: dish | February 13, 2005 at 09:50 PM
"Exquisite joy and nagging anxiety, all in the space of about two minutes."
My daughter is 7 now, and that is one of the best descriptions of being a parent I've ever read. Get used to it is right, babe.
So glad you found the heartbeat. May the rest of your pregnancy be anxiety-free (as possible).
Posted by: libby | February 14, 2005 at 01:14 PM
Thank goodness! It's about time you get some relief, my friend.
Posted by: Joanne | February 14, 2005 at 01:50 PM
This is good. I hope you can de-stress a little bit to the sound of those wonderful bpms.
Posted by: B Mare | February 14, 2005 at 02:01 PM
Delurking to say YES! I knew it was there somewhere!
Posted by: Amanda | February 14, 2005 at 03:50 PM
You guys rock. So Mr Lobster is nesting is he, charting up to-do lists. L_O_V_E_L_Y x
Posted by: Meriel | February 16, 2005 at 05:01 AM