15+5

Robin and I went for my '16 week' midwife appointment yesterday. As soon as I walked in, I knew this midwife wasn't going to be as nice as the last one I saw. She was very rushed and it just seemed like she wanted to get us out of there. I was told by a number of people that they would listen to the heartbeats at this appointment so after she stuck in all my blood results, took blood pressure and checked urine, then said that's all for today, I was really disappointed. I said I was expecting to hear the babies but she told me they didn't do that any more, not until 36 weeks and that it's been that way for at least 3 years as recommended by the government. I questioned it but she just made me feel like I had it wrong and sent us packing :-(

One of the most annoying and total rubbish things she said was 'we don't do it because it makes you more aware of your movements if you don't hear the heartbeat'. What? That makes no sense. I understand if they don't do it because they don't want to worry you if they can't find it for whatever reason but I don't see why I'm missing out when other people are getting to have the experience.

Blood results were mostly fine, although I have a slightly lowered platelet count, which she said may be nothing to worry about at the moment but didn't say a lot else about that. No-one had put anything on my blood cards about me having twins so again no communication between people it seems. I looked up this thrombocytopenia and I am assuming they will do follow up tests to check it later on but I will mention it when I have my scan at 20 weeks as they probably won't bother unless I tell them and I think it might be helpful to know if I'm likely to bleed to death or not be able to have an epidural! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrombocytopenia

After voicing my disappointment via facebook, lots of people agreed I should have been able to listen so I think I will complain about it. Also my friend Keith from KLOGs sent me a message saying I could borrow their Angelsounds fetal doppler so I popped over there and got it and we got to hear the heartbeats after all! I've now worked out how to record them...it took a little while to find the second one so I think it is a different baby and the higher twin sounds more muffled, which would make sense with the anterior placenta being in front.

I hope I can work out how to attach it so you can have a listen!
Twin 2
Twin 1