Dopplers

HeatherHam10

So what can you ladies tell me about dopplers as far as pros and cons, types you recommend, and when you were first able to here LO's hb on it? Thinking about getting one this week.

Roeni

I have the sonoline b and have had no problems with it. I didn't order mine until later, around 19 weeks, but it always worked from that point.

katekat8721

I love my Doppler. It's the Sonoline B one that's like $50 on fetaldoppler.net.

I started using it about 10 or 11 weeks since that's when I heard that you have a better chance of hearing it. I have been able to find it every time I try, though lately one baby has been difficult and it takes me about 10 mins or so.

There's things to consider though:
- Are you going to freak the eff out if you can't find the HB at home? If so, a Doppler may not be a good idea!
- Do you know if you have anterior placenta? If you do, it can be harder to find because the placenta is in the way (but on the plus side, you can hear the placenta's woosh woosh sound and that means baby's usually close).
- Finding the HB can take time and you have to be patient.
- Once the babies get a bit bigger they start wiggling around more and it can be harder to track them down

We used to listen them every night and now do it about 3x/week or so. When I started spotting from my SCH first thing I did was pull that baby out, find their HBs and breath a sigh of relief.

sunflowermama42212

DH and I talked about getting a Doppler but I would seriously by in the ER every time if I couldn't find it so we decided to just not get one and find other ways to cope. It wasn't to bad of a wait until I started feeling him move which calmed my nerves. If your not crazy like me then I would get one.

amb2013

Sonoline b is great, got mine on eBay. I use aloe Vera gel. I started using it between 8 and 9 weeks and after being very patient and looking very low ( like bikini line) I heard it. The heartbeat sounds more lie horses galloping. YouTube it as well to see demo, that helped. I heard it very early but again I was searching for awhile. I stopped using it around 20 weeks when movement become more persistent. Good luck! I like the Doppler, for peace of mind.

whoberry

My doctor's office was able to find the HB with a doppler around 8 weeks.  I am currently borrowing a Sonoline doppler.  I just got it ts Christmas and I've only used it once (at about 16.5 weeks).  I didn't have any trouble finding the heartbeat when I used it.  DH really didn't want me to have it because he thinks I will drive myself nuts with it.  Earlier in the pregnancy I might have.  But if we have another bleeding scare I will be glad we have it.  

HeatherHam10

Thanks ladies I think having one will give me piece of mind and Ill try not to obsess!

Crystal120410

I also used a sonoline b, bought online for $50. When I ran out of gel I used aloe Vera gel. I couldn't find it consistently till about 14w. I didn't get released from my re until 12w and had weekly u/s up till then. It saved my sanity when going from weekly to monthly appts. But if you're going to flip your lid if you can't find it then I don't recommend it. YouTube has good videos. For me it was super low, right at my hair line and had to push really hard.

jschwind22

I have the sonoline B from Ebay.  I use aloe vera gel with it.  I got it when I was 10w and found the HB that day.  Good luck!

cachoque

Anyone know what's the difference between 2, 3 and 8MHz? Obstetrical vs. vascular probe?  

ETA: Nevermind - I need to keep reading the product descriptions! lol 

HeatherHam10

@cachoque now im curious..whats the difference?

2MamazInSeattle

Even though my Doppler experience was the one everyone fears (hb was slower on a Sunday, I didn't look daily and next checked Wed, still didn't freak out when I couldn't find it...but that Friday at 16w1d, went in and found baby died on Monday at 15w4d) - I'm still a fan and will use it with this pregnancy too.

I think in 97% of cases it's 100% reassuring! In a case like mine, our next appt. wasn't for three more weeks...I'm glad I knew sooner then later, fwiw. Just know that sometimes it is harder to find, but you'll get a sense of your LO.

I also had the sonoline b and just used plain ole aloe Vera gel.

cachoque

@HeatherHam10 Here's what fetaldopplar.net said: If you are pregnant and want to hear the baby's heart beat, please choose the 3Mhz or 2mhz probe.The 8Mhz probe is not for hearing the baby's heart beat. The 3 MHz is an early term and general purpose Doppler probe. It will work very well through most full term pregnancies. The 2 MHz probe was designed to accommodate late term and obese pregnancies since it works best at 10 cm and larger depths. A 3 Mhz is more sensitive than a 2 Mhz probe and can pick up baby's heartbeat as early as 8-10 weeks gestation.

HeatherHam10

perfect thanks!