Thoughts on Dopplers? Do they help or make you crazy?

mgh2008 · August 2010

I am considering buying a doppler b/c the wait between appointments is killing me, but I am just nervous it will only lead to more anxiety. If you have purchased a doppler, are you happy you did it, or did it increase the crazies? Lord knows I don't need that. Also, if I do purchase one, would it be too early to try it out? Should I wait?

Thanks ladies!!

uklawgirl · August 2010

It has done great things for me. I found that the more I used it, the less I needed to use it. Now we only use it once every 3rd day or so. It's really helped to keep me sane between appointments and it's just flat out fun to listen to that little heart chugging away.

MrsDiff22 · August 2010

I love mine! It helped me keep my sanity sometimes. I found the heartbeat at home around 11 weeks but I didn't order/use it until we had heard it at the Dr's office. My reasoning was if he couldn't find it then there was probably no way for me to find it. I still use it now and then when he isn't moving much on those lazy days, its a nice reassurance(plus my LO hates the doppler and when anyone uses it he wakes and tries to hide from it so I get movement, its a win-win situation for me lol).

Sonadora · August 2010

I personally love mine. It helped keep me sane(ish) until I could feel her move regularly.

Even now I use it a couple times a week if she's having a quiet day....

KelzinBoston · August 2010

I liked NOT having one....I think it would have driven me insane.

AppleRidge · August 2010

So, so happy I have one. It's allowed me to stay excited and hopeful, rather than being all gloom and doom and certain something is wrong in there.

Mine worked pretty early on, 8w5d, but that varies for everyone. I'd wait to get it until 12w or so unless you're sure you can believe it's just too early if you don't find it.

3ltlones · August 2010

I love it and couldn't live without it. I have weekly appts and I still need the reassurance every couple of days to hear that hb. I heard it the first time at around 9 weeks but I know that isn't always the norm.

grr_aargh · August 2010

I didn't get mine until I was 22-23 weeks along. It's been a good thing to have, IMO, though I wouldn't buy one before 13-14 weeks, just to be on the safe side.

Just my opinion, but I know myself enough to know I would've lost my schmidt if I tried to get the hb at 12 weeks and couldn't, kwim?

leneae10 · August 2010

thanks for asking this question, I've been debating the same thing!

mgh2008 · August 2010

grr_aargh:

I didn't get mine until I was 22-23 weeks along. It's been a good thing to have, IMO, though I wouldn't buy one before 13-14 weeks, just to be on the safe side.

Just my opinion, but I know myself enough to know I would've lost my schmidt if I tried to get the hb at 12 weeks and couldn't, kwim?

Ha ha! Yes, I do. I think I need to wait until after my NT scan in 2 weeks. It could turn me into a more of a psychotic mess (if that's even possible). The DH may not be able to handle that!

Thanks ladies for all the input. Definitely getting one, definitely waiting a few weeks.

celestej619 · August 2010

We don't have one (yet). I honestly feel that it would have probably caused me more anxiety. The doctor tried to do the doppler in her office at my 10 week appointment, and I knew that it still may be too early at that point for her to pick anything up (I knew from what I've read here, and because she told me so before she used it...lol). She couldn't pick up the hb and it was still totally nervewracking for me. She did an U/S and everything was just fine but that few minutes of worry was not fun.

However there are times like now that I had a little bit of a longer stretch between appointments (which actually isn't even that long, by the time I see her next week it'll have been 3 weeks since my NT, and 5 weeks since my last visit with her). The wait is so hard and it would be nice to have a doppler just to check on LO. It may be something we consider getting for later on down the road.

sarahandeddiejune212008 · August 2010

I loved having one. I was able to check on lo before I felt movement and it reassured me everything was okay. It was also a way DH and I bonded with her early on. After I started feeling regular movement I didn't use it as much, but if she wasn't moving I could check on her. It has given me such peace of mind.

OCIrishBruin · August 2010

I have one and I don't know what I would have done without it. It really kept me sane from about 10 weeks until I started feeling consistent movement at about 18 weeks. I think you should order one. By the time it is actually shipped to you, it will likely work. FWIW, I bought the Sonoline B with the 3 Mhz probe and it worked just before 10 weeks. I think that is pretty early compared to most people though.

momagain2009 · August 2010

I didn't get one because I knew it would drive me insane. I try to strategically plan my OB appts and u/s so that I don't have a 4 week gap in between.

Everytime I had the urge to order one, I bought a pair of shoes instead. I have a lot of new shoes now. Big Smile

rowanthefrog · August 2010

For me it was a lifesaver. I used it once a day every day from about 10 weeks until I could feel the baby moving regularly. It definitely helped to ease my mind between appointments.

A

hking76 · August 2010

I LOOOOOVVVVEEEE MINE! Embarrassed

The best money for my sanity I've spent. I got mine around 9 weeks and tried to find the hb, but couldn't until about 11 weeks (I think). I listen to the hb sometimes once a day, if I'm just feeling paranoid that week, or others, every few days. Good luck!!! Oh! And definitely buy (3 mhz), instead of rent. The pricing that I saw was better.