bought a fetal doppler, am I going to regret this?

Amyou06

(reposted from 1st trimester board, thinking that maybe this board is more appropriate given my IF experience/fears/etc.)

My title says it all.. lol.. I caved to the romantic idea of being able to hear my baby's heartbeat at home anytime I want. But I've had a few women here at work say I'm going to drive myself crazy during those instances I can't get a read on it. 

I think I panicked. After being babied by my RE's clinic and having ultrasounds every 2 weeks, I finally graduated(YAY!) to my OBGYN, and they aren't getting me in until July 23rd(I'll be 13 weeks)! I was like OMG, I don't know if I can go that long between appointments without knowing something! I still have this crazy IF brain that has just kept me on high alert since the day I found out I was pregnant!

What are your thoughts or experiences with them? I'm only 9.5 weeks, so I know realisitcally I may not get anything at all for a few more weeks, but I ordered online and it's on it's way. EEK

FishyMom

I got a reading on mine at 12 weeks and for me the Doppler provided a lot of relief. So that I did not drive myself crazy I only used mine when we started a new week. I was very thrilled I bought mine. I hope yours does the same for you.

WA1215

::butting in:: Where did you buy yours?

Deardra77

Was the best thing I ever purchased. Just know that sometimes baby may be lying a way u can't get the heartbeat especially early on and as long as u don't freAk out when u can't get the heartbeat u will find it very reassuring when u do

ekc0630

I had a friend let me borrow hers and it has helped me stay calm.  Whenever I'm worried I just listen.  I started hearing it at 10 weeks

Praying4Miracle17

I bought mine around 13 weeks and was able to hear baby's HB.  I'm not going to lie, it took about 10 minutes of frustration, but finally found it.  Now that I know where to look (and I'm farther along), I find it easier.  Also, look up some youtube videos on how to use it and what to listen for, I did that and it helped me a lot.  Good luck! 

chrissynena

I rented one my first pregnancy, it have me great peace of mind. I bought one this time, and while I love to listen, I also don't feel as nervous about this pregnancy.

dp21

I love mine, got it at 8 weeks.  Finally found the heartbeat at 11 weeks 1 day after checking every week.  As long as you don't freak out if you don't find it.  I love being able to hear it at home when I want  

HeatherHam10

Im so glad I bought one! I started hearing it at 9 weeks and Ill be honest I listened everyday until I finally felt movement at 29 weeks. It was a great peace of mind and helped me to relax as much as I could. I know some can have a more difficult time finding it and sometimes it takes longer but it was great!

formerwigirl

I was 9 weeks I think when I got mine. I love it!! It helped keep me sane until I started feeling little one kicking regularly. My DH kept me in check about how often I used it, so that helped. I couldn't find the hb right away when I got it but once I found it, I was able to find it afterwards easily.

Mrs.McIrish

I have 2 anterior placentas and even the nurse at my Mfm's office can't find them with the Doppler (last try was a day short of 16 weeks). I won't get one bc if would stress me out to not find them.

Hopeful1029

I think it's great for peace of mind, as long as you know you're getting LOs heartbeat and not yours. In one of my OB rotations years ago, I had a young woman come in for her monthly and there was no heartbeat. She couldn't believe it. She had a Doppler at home and was listening to the heartbeat... It was actually her own that she was listening to. It was heartbreaking and I'll never forget that. I hate to be Debbie Downer, but I always just caution people to be sure they know what they're listening to. Hope you don't mind my two cents

MKateG

I love using mine everyday, I borrowed my friends at 9.5 wks and after a good 40mins of listening I found both babies and its great I feel closer to them and I have used it everyday!

DoublePortion

I bought one early on and once I learned how to find the HBs vs the placentas it helped me not worry as much. Like a PP I watched YouTube videos that were helpful. Now at almost 33 weeks I never used it since the babies are so active. If this is against TOS let me know and I'll delete it, but I'm considering selling mine if anyone is interested. (Send me a PM.)

jaztastic

Mine arrived today. I'm so tickled. It's way too early to get a read on the baby just yet, but i plan to play around with it and become comfortable with the sounds of my body(My own HB and Arteries). I had a small scare the other day, and found out I may be one off those that just spot/bleed throughout pregnancy, which is not easy for someone with IF and PgAL brain. I asked around and was given similar sound advice as PP mentioned. Don't freak out if you don't get a read, watch youtube videos for assistance, don't have too high expectations in 1st tri. Other than that enjoy! What brand did you get? I got the Sonoline B

Amyou06

Thanks ladies for all the responses! I feel slightly less crazy about purchasing this and I definetely have realistic expectations about the effectiveness and not always being able to find the HB. I purchased mine from Ebay, buy it now option. It's an Angelsounds doppler. I read a few reviews and most were good. I think it'll be here today!

absolutelymaybe

Loved the peace of mind it gave me! We started using it at 11 weeks and had no problem finding the heartbeat (although DH did help me).

Although if you don't find the heartbeat don't panic. I know lots of people who have trouble finding it for a while. Doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong.

Irishlove16

Loved having my dobbler!! It's helped me relax so much during the big edits between appointments! I got mine around 9 weeks and heard it then but no joke it took me about 30 mins to find it. That early it's super low like by your pelvic bone. Definitely recommend watching some YouTube videos of people using the dobbler and the different sounds you will pick up so you know what sound the baby is! Now that I'm further along at 15 weeks I can pick it up quickly now that baby is bigger and know where to look for it. Best purchase ever!

Momarazzi007

Ok, I didn't read responses yet, but you sound like me. The ONLY THING that kept me sane w DD's pregnancy (we lost her twin at 7&1/2 weeks after heartbeat and I was losing it) was the Doppler. I had rented one from belly beats w intention of returning it within a month or two but ended up keeping through pregnancy- glad I did- I was religious about when I did do it, recording and tracking and bc it dropped I went to hospital and was admitted for a month! So after my second beta the first thing I did was out right purchase one and should get it this week.. I'm only 5 weeks so call me crazy pants, but I have time to check it out and if I get defective one or whatever exchange it. I think if you get peace of mind great, but if you are going to use- track it bc I have heard the horror stories where women hear the heartbeat and think everything is ok, but aren't really paying attention and riding it out. Anything different or you don't feel right? Go in!!! That being said I got heartbeat at about 9 weeks when it arrived in mail. It was the first thing that stopped my constant worry and brought it down to just worry lol. (At that point w if we had had an ectopic and just lost twin- so I get the fears!!!!).