Updated! Any advice for first time home Doppler use?

LuvLoveXo

Happy Monday ladies!

I purchased the 3 MHz Sonoline B Ultrasound Fetal Doppler and it's scheduled for delivery today. I'll be 11 weeks tomorrow and I've seen the HB via u/s at 6w and 7.5w and my appointment with MFM isn't until next week. I'm hoping to be able to use this tonight. Does anyone have any advice on using this? Of course I'm nervous to not detect a HB and I know that's a possibility given the baby's position, the fact I'm an amateur at this or the worst case that there is none to detect. Any input would be appreciated!!

We found one!! I honestly wasn't expecting to but was hoping. As I've read online and from you ladies the counter was off. It was reading 146 but we counted ten seconds using the stopwatch and multiplied it by 6. We got 162 all three times!!!

LaRomana09

I don't have a doppler, but based on my experience at the doctor's office, the baby is much lower than you would think at that point, and you need to press pretty hard to find it.  I had one scare when the nurse couldn't find it, and the doctor came in and found it right away by pressing harder.  Good luck!

littlecookie

I'm 11 and a few days and pulled mine out last night. I wasn't able to find it. I only tried about 5 minutes and I'm pretty sure it was too high. At this point, you probably need it on your pubic bone.

My best advice this early is to know that it might be spotty. If you think not finding it will freak you out, I might try and hold off another week or so.

pblge

Check out YouTube videos! Also, I have the best luck if I try right after peeing. Even now I have a hard time finding the HB if I haven't peed recently, although I'm not sure why that is.

LuvLoveXo

Thanks ladies!! I know I may not be able to find it but I'm anxious to try.

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

carlsonbaby2014

PP's have given good advice: start low, move slow, youtube, etc. the only other piece of advice I want to give is to mimic what your doctor does.  If you're able to hold off using it until they find it at one of your appointments with the one they have at their office then you will know where to look next time (although don't be surprised if the baby has moved ) and how hard to push.  Like others, I was really surprised with how hard I had to push in to get a hb to register.

LuvLoveXo

Thank you so much ladies!! You have given great advice. I'll let you know how I make out!

[Deleted User]

The user and all related content has been deleted.

mrsjg2013

Great advice given already!  I'm sure if you watch any Youtube videos you will discover this, but I find it's easiest to locate the placenta first.  It's also a swooshing sound, and then the baby should be right next to it.  I used mine this weekend (for the 4th time this pregnancy), and the heartbeat was the hardest to find thus far.  He/She seemed to be playing peek-a-boo around the placenta because if I listened closely, I could hear them both at the same time.  The first time it (8 weeks) took me about 10 minutes, but it's been much quicker after that.  Also, I have better luck if I use the restroom right beforehand and don't try until well after a meal.  (Otherwise you will get all kinds of digestive sounds!)

E&B0811

I don't have a Doppler but wanted to just chime into say that at 11w5d the doctor couldn't find the hb with a Doppler and had to bust out the ultrasound instead because I have an anterior placenta.

FX you find the hb with no trouble.

LuvLoveXo

You ladies are awesome. Thank you so much!

Unknown

This content has been removed.