What Causes Absence Of Fetal Heartbeat At 12th Week Of Pregnancy?

Posted on Thu, 2 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 2 Apr 2015 Answered on

Thu, 24 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My 12 week fetal didn't detect heartbeat by Doppler should i worry ?

Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It is abnormal.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I can understand your concerns.

Sonography should show heart beat of fetus by 8 weeks.

The fact that it did not show heart beat even by 12 weeks is abnormal.

It points towards fetal death but please get it confirmed by a repeat doppler today and serum beta HCG .

Regards,

Dr XXXXXXX MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Som Biswas (5 hours later)

Thank you.

Sonography show the heart beat of fetus from first test.

But the Doppler did not show.

Is there any particular time/weeks to do a Doppler test?

Answered by Dr. Som Biswas (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Repeat scan

Detailed Answer:
Dear,

Ideally doppler is more accurate than plain sonographies.

Its very strange as dopplers pick up heart beats earlier.

So please repeat a sonography as i think there is an error in reporting

Dr Som

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj