Fuzzy PgAL Recollections - at what point does the doppler usually work?

martinimomma · March 2013

Okay, this LO is getting short shrift from my worrying as I am too damn busy lately to focus on my fears. Notwithstanding that, I realized that I can probably unpack my doppler from its basement storage location and give it a whirl soon....so for those of you who were pregnant more recently than I or who have a better memory, at what gestataion did you start to use your doppler?

I didn't get mine delivered till I was about 14 weeks with DS, and I am 12 weeks with this LO, so maybe I can try now?

Don't want to try too early and have the panic if I can't find anything.

adoxyinherear · March 2013

I didn't have a doppler at home, but the midwife wouldn't even try to listen in the office until 11 weeks. So you could probably try now! But it might be better to wait just a little bit longer, because I guess it's still not a guarantee to catch anything this early.

JulyMomma2U2 · March 2013

With DS1, I got mine around 8ish weeks, but didn't find the proper heartbeat until 10-11 weeks. DS was tough to find though -- sometimes it would take me 30 minutes to find it!

This time, I tried at 8 weeks (right before my first ultrasound with the doctor) and to my shock I found it almost immediately! And, no doubting it was LO's HB and not my own -- galloping horses all the way Every time I've tried to find the HB this time I've found it super easy.. even OB has commented on how "cooperative" this babe is

Good luck!!

Ladiebug710 · March 2013

I allowed myself to "try" twice a week at 10 weeks, but didn't really get it until 12. You should be OK to try now.

FreyaWin2382 · March 2013

I started using my doppler at 12 weeks...BUT it was hard to find sometimes. I didn't get consistent readings with it until 14 weeks.

butterflynola · March 2013

I had success hearing it around 10 1/2 11 weeks both times, but I never bought one so I'm not sure if they differ from the ones the docs have. I'd say between 12-14 you should be able to find. Try not to freak out if you don't though!

mork · March 2013

I think I was just shy of 10w the first time I tried, and I found it with relative ease. I think you're definitely far enough to try!

VeilSdeGTO · March 2013

I think I was somewhere between 9-10 weeks? It was not very consistent and most of the time, I wasn't sure if what I was hearing was actually LO's hb, my hb, my blood flow, or some random whooshing sounds.

I would think 12 weeks would be fine to give it a go.

LoveOfMikesLife · March 2013

I was able to use mine between 7-8 weeks. But I WAS on the smaller side. It didn't work on my friend until between 13-14 weeks

katigox · March 2013

My midwife warned me at ten weeks she might not pick up anything, but DS was ready to let me know he was there! I'd definitely think 12 weeks would work

JuddandJessica · March 2013

I never had one because I thought it would make me panic. 12 weeks should work just fine though.

ewilliams1127 · March 2013

I found DS at 8-9 weeks, but I had to really search, press down hard and low. I was really consistent to find him immediately at 11-12 weeks. You should be good!