Home Doppler - anyone getting one?

seasalt123

My first scan isn't until the 12th week and that seems like forever away. I know it's super tricky to find the hb in early stages and it's important not to stress about it, if you can't. Has anyone else ordered/tried one?

elsa1688

I have one from my first pregnancy, I don't think I could hear anything at home until 12 weeks

seasalt123

I'll keep that in mind. Some people hear it so early while others hear nothing until quite late. 

soralette

I have one from my previous pregnancy I plan to use again. Last time, I heart the heartbeat at home around 9wks, the first time I tried, and that was with an anterior placenta. So I'll probably start trying around 8wks this time, just to see.

The thing to remember about using a doppler at home is that it's like taking a pregnancy test before your period is due -- a positive result (i.e., hearing the heartbeat) is a positive, but a negative just means 'try again tomorrow'.

seasalt123

Thanks @soralette. That's a great way of putting it. Which brand do you have?

soralette

Mine's an Angelsounds. I got it second-hand for $25+shipping from a lady on the 2nd Tri board here on TheBump.

seasalt123

Thanks @soralette!

lisaren

I have a Sonoline B. Used it with my last pregnancy, loved it. Found the HB at 7w 6d this go around. Some days I cannot find it. I always wear headphones when using it.

seasalt123

@lisaren does wearing headphones make the sound clearer? I am getting the Sonoline B.

mrstmoose

@lisaren I accidentally reported your comment (I was using the app and it froze on it). @BumpAdmin if you get it, please ignore it!

lisaren

@seasalt123 yes it drowns out all the outside noises!

evalynn24

I have a Sonoline B from my first pregnancy (it was around $50 if I remember right). I was able to find the heartbeat between 9 and 10 weeks, but I am also pretty overweight so I was very surprised to hear it that early.

It took about 15 minutes to find, but to me it was soooo worth the peace of mind, especially after multiple losses.

aamm04

No way. It will make me crazy. I'll leave that to the professionals.

Jesse835235

I won't get one, either. I'd be too tempted to use it every day, and I guess you're not supposed to use it frequently.

katykatykaty

I have one from prior pregnancies. I found it around 8 weeks last time. I used it frequently both pregnancies until I started feeling movement regularly.

megmarissa

I have one. I think it was 10+ weeks before I tried... very difficult to find.

SoManyBoys

I bought one with my last pregnancy and heard the heartbeat between 9-10 weeks.  I watched videos on youtube and it was very helpful.  Just remember to be patient - it takes time to find it.

vinerie

I didn't realize home Doppler systems are something you can buy. What is the reason to get one?

sillyfox

Following, I've been checking them out on eBay...

@mrstmoose If you like the comment that you accidentally reported it will remove the flag.

seasalt123

Thanks for all the responses ladies! I ordered the Sonoline B from here: https://sonoline.ca/?gclid=CO_t_82NqcgCFU1rfgodObsK0g

@vinerie I didn't realize either!  There is no reason other than entertainment. They also shouldn't be used every day either. For me, they won't do scans here until 12 weeks or later and I'm going a bit batty. As a person with almost zero symptoms, this would be validation to me that I'm actually pregnant. My partner also will never be able to make any of my appointments due to his work schedule. This will allow him a chance to hear the heartbeat. 

This is a great video (though there are loads online) which shows a woman finding her baby's heartbeat at 10 weeks. She goes through the different sounds so  you can hear the distinctive sound of the baby's heartbeat. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFQfZ754geM

josie12367

I'll be getting one! I plan to have more kiddos after this one, so it will come in handy. Since the date of my first appointment is still up in the air, I need some kind of reassurances for early on. I found my DD's heartbeat at 9 weeks, and it was as clear as day. I will try this time starting around 8 weeks. Plus DH leaves for overseas before i'll have my first appointment, so this is the only way he'll ever hear the heartbeat. I'd love for that first time to be just us.

seasalt123

Awesome @josie12367! Which brand did you get?

seasalt123

I got my Doppler today! I found the heartbeat in under a minute thanks to all the YouTube videos I had watched in advance. This sooo put my mind at ease. I had just gotten a call from the doctor on some blood values which were a bit off (unrelated to pregnancy but which could put me at higher risk) and having the Doppler here pretty much saved my sanity.

katykatykaty

Glad you found it! How far along are you @seasalt123 ? I haven't had luck yet.

seasalt123

10 weeks tomorrow. I found the videos helped a lot. I had watched so many by the time I got it, I pretty much bee lines straight for it. I have a friend who couldn't find hers until week 13 so it does vary quite a bit.

lest12

Well, crap.  I wasn't going to get one but this thread has convinced me I needed one yesterday.

 

 

seasalt123

lest12 said:

Well, crap.  I wasn't going to get one but this thread has convinced me I needed one yesterday.

 

 

@lest12 Ha ha that's what happened to me. I swore off getting one but got suckered in by a thread I read. I got to show my SO the heartbeat last night which was cool because he can't come to any of my appointments with me. I was also able to send my sister who lives in a different country a video of t. It may not be right for everyone but it's provided me with some relief. It arrived in a week but you may get faster shipping if you buy off eBay. I got the Sonoline B. If you decide to get one watch lots of YouTube videos in advance so you know where to look and what to listen for. Also understand that you may not find it. Some people never do and there is nothing wrong.

lest12

I just ordered one, @seasalt123!  Thanks for the advice.  I will definitely youtube! 

Kennedy0830

Borrowing my sisters tonight! I'm only 9 weeks today, so I've promised to not drive myself mental if I can't find the heartbeat... At least I will try not to..

seasalt123

Good luck @lest12 and @Kennedy0830
Make sure to watch the videos so you know what to look for and don't stress if you can't find anything.

AmandagStark

I have a doppler from my first pregnancy. I loved checking in from time to time in the second trimester, but once i started feeling those baby movements (18 wks) I barely used it.

Kennedy0830

Home Doppler was a success! It look me a good 30 minutes and watching YouTube videos while doing so, but I could hear the fast whoosh-whoosh! I can see why women get their heartbeat confused, but once you hear the super fast one, there's no confusing it. I was on it one second and it was gone the next (if you cough, good luck finding it again haha)... Gives me peace of mind for the evening

seasalt123

Woohoo @kennedy0830! Glad you found it.

Several youtube videos reinforce it, but also pay little attention to the reading on the Doppler. What's most important is getting the right SOUND. I made a 20 second video of the heart beating and then counted the beats for 15 seconds of the video and then multiplied that by 4. That got me to about 180 bpm. I wound up having to have an ultrasound last night (I had an abnormal blood result unrelated to pregnancy and so they wanted to make sure the fetus was tracking properly) and the heartbeat was found to be 177 so the home Doppler is very accurate when it comes to picking up the right noise. The display should only be used as a guide (mine was saying something like 150) but you need to be able to identify the sound of the baby's heartbeat. Hence why it's so important to watch those youtube videos.

Good luck everyone!

babycakes8214

I have one from my first pregnancy. I have the Sonoline B. I love it.

Kennedy0830

@seasalt123 I just did the same! Didn't think about that when I made my 30 second video. I counted around 43-45 beats within 15 seconds. On track for around 180 bpm I didn't trust my Doppler reading anyway. I think because it was picking up some other sounds in the background it didn't list a number. I'm 9 weeks so it was probably too faint for the system to fully register (plus I had to keep moving it around as one slight movement would cause me to lose it).

seasalt123

Just an update for everyone, and to calm some fears, I couldn't find the heartbeat the other day I looked and looked but then stopped as I didn't want to drive myself crazy and because I am concerned about too much ultrasound exposure. I tried again a couple days later and found it but this time it took a bit again. I guess the kidlet moved somewhere where it's harder to pick up the sound. So if you can't find it when you look, it's ok. Just know that it's not a guarantee every time and put it away for the week.

concreteayngel

I have a sonoline B. At 11 weeks, haven't been able to find anything yet. I had my OB show me how to use it, and she couldn't find anything either. Also can be rather confusing because of all the other sounds your body makes. Given that your scan is just around the corner, I'd personally save your money. Also, my OB said that she sees women with dopplers way more often than women that don't have them, because they frequently panic and make unnecessary appointments. Just food for thought. 

lilyaster

I have one that I've used in my previous pregnancies, and it has been reassuring.  However I can't find the heartbeat yet this time around and it's definitely frustrating!  I'm not sure if the baby is just in a different position, or if I'm using the wrong type of gel (tube ran out so I'm using KY).  Trying not to worry as I've had no signs of anything wrong.  My first scan is this week. 

seasalt123

lilyaster said:

I have one that I've used in my previous pregnancies, and it has been reassuring.  However I can't find the heartbeat yet this time around and it's definitely frustrating!  I'm not sure if the baby is just in a different position, or if I'm using the wrong type of gel (tube ran out so I'm using KY).  Trying not to worry as I've had no signs of anything wrong.  My first scan is this week. 

You have to be careful about what gel you use. I don't know about KY but simple Aloe Vera gel (make sure it's pure and not lotion) will work.

daychanell

I would like to get one. I had a full term, stillborn baby Dec 19, 2014 and 8w pregnant now. I feel like it will help me ease my mind. Any suggestions on brand?

seasalt123

daychanell said:

I would like to get one. I had a full term, stillborn baby Dec 19, 2014 and 8w pregnant now. I feel like it will help me ease my mind. Any suggestions on brand?

I am so sorry about your loss. I recommend the Sonoline B, which is what I got. There are a lot of how to videos online on how to use it.