fetal heart rate doppler

joyclara · October 2010

i just got mine today at work. tried it in the restroom while standing up. did not hear any heart beat. tried w. the gel too. i used it on my heart and heart that loud and clear but i guess bc my heart is closer to the surface. i was even pressing as far in as possible and tried all over my belly.

i will try again tonite while laying in bed to see if that helps but has anyone been able to get a heart beat while standing at 15 weeks? would it make that much of a difference?

drpayne · October 2010

This is why I don't understand people buying their own dopplers.

joyclara · October 2010

I have my reasons but that's a whole different post. thanks for replying though.

circe811 · October 2010

Baby is still really low in the abdomen right now. Also, try angling the wand rather than just moving it all over. It takes a bit to learn how to do it but you'll get the hang of it.

ckandi007 · October 2010

It depends on your doppler. I know my friend bought an el cheapo one from Walmart that is supposed to work when you're in your 3rd trimester and it never worked for her.

I rented one during my 1st trimester for a month from Baby Beats and was able to pick up the heart beat just shy of 9w. But, it takes patience and sometimes you can find it, other times you can't. I returned mine when I was 13w so I haven't had a doppler since then, but during the times that I did listen in, the baby tended to hang around the same side so I was able to find the heartbeat pretty much every time.

I wouldn't worry too much and try again when you're able to lay down. The first time I tried, it took a good 10 minutes of poking around before I found it.

circe811 · October 2010

Oh and also, this early on, lay down.

hmontty · October 2010

I first heard mine at about 11.5 weeks, and since finding it the first time, it's been easier to find it every time (and getting easier, obviously, as I get further along). HOWEVER, it does take some doing to get it the first time. I would definitely lay down, angle the wand (you want to be fairly close to your public hair line), and press in a little. At 15 weeks, you should be able to pick it up really nicely, once you find it.

I should also add that at 18 weeks, I tried to listen to mine, and I could not find the thing at all, then I moved the wand just a TINY bit and whamo! Super loud and clear. Even a quarter inch makes a difference. Just keep trying.

hmontty · October 2010

drpayne:
This is why I don't understand people buying their own dopplers.

If you don't understand, then lucky you.

FallBabez · October 2010

You're not supposed to use it when standing up. That's what instructions are for. Big Smile

I've always used mine when laying down. I first used mine at 15w3d, and have never had a problem finding the babys hb. And for people who don't understand why someone would buy their own. I did because I rather know sooner than later if something was wrong. I wouldn't want to wait four weeks to find out my baby had passed three weeks prior. But maybe that's just because I've been through a devastating loss before.

Tjames9820 · October 2010

I agree with laying down. I bought mine from Amazon for under $30 bucks and I could hear the HB at 9 weeks. It was VERY low in the abdomen right at the pubic hair. I had to move the doppler like a joy stick and not just right to left. Make sure the room is completely silent while trying to listen. Close your eyes and visualize it. HTH!!

drpayne · October 2010

hmontty:
drpayne:
This is why I don't understand people buying their own dopplers.

If you don't understand, then lucky you.

When people who don't know what they're doing can't find a heartbeat, they freak out. This post illustrates that point perfectly. It's unnecessary stress. It has nothing to do with me being "lucky".

joyclara · October 2010

Thanks ladies for the helpful advice and encouragement. I will have to do this first thing when i get home.

I swear the instructions did not say one way or the other. It said to "feel for position of the fetus by hand", eh? it's a 3mhz Sonoline B fetal doppler. claims to pick up hb for as early as 12 wks.

MarSamWhitney · October 2010

drpayne:
hmontty:

drpayne:
This is why I don't understand people buying their own dopplers.

If you don't understand, then lucky you.

When people who don't know what they're doing can't find a heartbeat, they freak out. This post illustrates that point perfectly. It's unnecessary stress. It has nothing to do with me being "lucky".

I think she was just asking for tips. I had a hard time until I was about 15-16 weeks, and now it is nothing to find it. Sometimes it would take me 5 minutes, but that is something everyone should understand going in, that its not easy to find early on.

Now if she had come in here and said "OMG!!!! I can't find the heartbeat, is something wrong with my baby!?!?!?" Then I would have definitley replied as you had.

joyclara · October 2010

Thanks StephnMatt101008. Smile

the thought did cross my mind but i figure since this is the very first time i'm using something like this I must be doing it wrong. i'm glad i posted bc i got a lot of tips.

MoonlitPlumeria · October 2010

I have one but I got it because my bf was going to be out of town for yet another appt but he made it after all. I tried it, couldn't hear anything, but figured I was doing it wrong. And it is kind of early though. Plus the nurse and doc had a hard time getting it with their machine too.

HoolahZinger · October 2010

drpayne:
This is why I don't understand people buying their own dopplers.

That's what I was thinking. There's just too much added stress when you don't find a heartbeat. And we're not doctors or techs so it's not the easiest to find! I would imagine laying down is best. And keep in mind that the little baby could be back towards your spine, could have his/her stomach facing your stomach, could have a placenta that is placed in a unique way to where the heartbeat is hard to find...the potential reasons of not hearing a heartbeat are endless.

laurenfrost8 · October 2010

I have one, and at 15 weeks the baby is really low..a lot lower than you think..i would try sitting or laying down in bed with your head propped up that's the easiest was for me to hear my baby..it just takes some getting use to which side and where abouts they hang out...don't worry you'll find it

joyclara · October 2010

Just wanted to give an update. you ladies weren't kidding! it was hard to find! had my husband (the tech geek) read the manual and give it a try and he eventually found it so i wanted a go at it. def the angling of the of wand makes a huge difference! i moved it ever so slightly and would lose it. it was def fun for us to listen to the heartbeat together. a major relief for me.

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