Anyone know how often it's safe to use a doppler?

MommyKarla

Hi there. 

 I'm very nervous about this pregnancy, as I'm sure we all are. After having two missed miscarriages in the past, I just can't seem to relax. I want to check on baby's heartbeat every day (I have for the past two days), but am scared that it may be too often. 

Anyone know the answer to this? 

ashley35209

I would think that if it was something harmful that the manufacturer would have to put a big bold warning label on it that says "not safe for everyday use"

mariekl04

We use ours everyday, once a day. Since this was around the time we lost our previous baby, my husband gets nervous if we don't check everyday. We only listen for about no longer than minute and shut it off. I'm not really sure if there is a warning as to how long or anything. We just use if for piece of mind really

Shawnee11507

I have the Sonoline B and in the instructions it says it is safe for everyday use.

manda42

The subject line made my stomach flip, since I've been using mine everyday!!

I did a quick google search, and it there doesn't seem to be any risk in using a doppler. 

iPOAS

I saw one one website that you should limit use to twice a week for ten minutes each.  Sonoline B said everyday use is fine.  My doctor said have at it, it's safe.  I've been using it about every other day for 1-5 minutes depending how long it takes me to find the heartbeat.  Once I find it I only "need" to listen for about 30 seconds or so.

JenJH923

I listen every night before bed! The only thing I found online was several people saying if you keep it on for several minutes it can get too hot, but I'm not sure if that is true. I usually keep it on for a full minute once I find the little guy.

pinksweetpea2

There has not been any research showing the safety of frequent doppler use- that is NOT the same thing as saying it is safe.

There has been some research showing negative effects of the overuse of dopplers and ultrasounds...enough to make me not rent a doppler this time around (and I did rent one with Lily).

FWIW, the AMA recommends against "unnecessary exposure."     Dr. regularly pick and choose what recommendations that are going to take from the AMA and considering how technology happy our country is, I am not surprised this is one they choose to ignore. 

This article reviews the topic pretty throughly:  

https://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/ultrasoundrodgers.asp 

 

Edit- The manufactures of dopplers are running with the current lack of research.  They are a business and are only going to put something on the box that will hinder their sales until it is proven...and then they will probably put it in small writing.  Until then are happy to take your money and say their product is perfectly safe for daily use.  Lets not confuse them with medical professionals or people who care about the safety of your baby. 

 

Mom22inFeb

My doctor said it is totally safe. He said it might "annoy" the baby, causing it to move around a little but it won't cause any damage.

We use ours everynight usually for about 3-5 minutes. We usually find it, count the beats and shut it down.

Daisy07gray

pinksweetpea2:

There has not been any research showing the safety of frequent doppler use- that is NOT the same thing as saying it is safe.

There has been some research showing negative effects of the overuse of dopplers and ultrasounds...

My widwife was clear that there is no solid research showing the effect on the fetus- positive or negative. 

pinksweetpea2

Daisy07gray:

pinksweetpea2:

There has not been any research showing the safety of frequent doppler use- that is NOT the same thing as saying it is safe.

There has been some research showing negative effects of the overuse of dopplers and ultrasounds...

My widwife was clear that there is no solid research showing the effect on the fetus- positive or negative. 

Again, there has also been no research showing that it is safe either.  No research does not = safe.  

There is entirely not enough research done on the subject in general- especially considering how reliant our society has become on this technology.  For me, the minimal research done (mostly on mice and other animals) has made me nervous enough to limit exposure to apts. and one u/s.  

Everyone has to make this decision for themselves, but I don't think anyone should fool themselves into thinking it is safe because it hasn't been proven otherwise yet. ::shrugs:: 

Some of the minimal research done on the topic:

https://www.unhinderedliving.com/pultra.html

 

mintea

I don't know much on the topic, but FWIW my doctor gave me the book "Pregnancy, Childbirth, and the Newborn: 4th Ed." by Simkin and colleagues (great book, btw). Last night I read a section of it that recommended against at home use of ultrasound technology, like dopplers. Here's what FDA says: https://www.fda.gov/forconsumers/consumerupdates/ucm095508.htm 

I haven't bought one, mostly because I know I would obsessively use it and freak if I couldn't find a HB!!