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1st Trimester
Doppler, worth it or not?
I tend to be a little bit of a hypochondriac. Generally, this means that whenever I have any kind of symptoms, I spend some time googling stuff before deciding that I am probably fine. However, I seem to have more trouble putting my mind at ease now that I'm pregnant. Logically, I know that my baby is probably fine, but since I have had very mild symptoms and there is no way to tell between appointments, I tend to worry.
I have a thought about buying a doppler several times to help with this. I can see two possible scenarios that would arise from me buying it:
1. I am able to find the heartbeat relatively easily with the doppler. It puts my mind at ease between appointments.
2. I am unable to find the heartbeat myself. This will probably cause me a great deal more worry. I wouldn't feel like I could call my doctor if the only reason I have to worry is that I couldn't find a heartbeat with my home monitor.
It should be noted that I am at 11 weeks, which seems to be far enough along to detect the heartbeat with some monitors.
So, I have some questions for those who have used a home doppler:
How difficult/easy was it to find the heart beat and how far along were you?
Did having one help ease your mind or cause more worries?
What do you think ladies, would a doppler help or no? TIA
This discussion has been closed.
Re: Doppler, worth it or not?
This.
Plus, after you start feeling kicks, you won't need to listen to the hb to know they're okay
I'd recommend against one. My OB did doppler every appointment since I only had the one 20 week u/s. I'd think doing it on your own could lead to a lot more of your #2 scenario than #1. I didn't use a home one, but my DD hated it in the OB's office (she'd move and kick at it) so why would I want to bug her at home?
DD1, Kathleen 9/15/2007
I agree with both of these comments. This is my second and I've never thought to get one.
I think they are unnecessary and I have never had one because I would be the one to freak out if I couldn't find it.
I have had miscarriages and I get that some find it reassuring, but I was never one of those people.
My OB couldn't find DD's HB till 18 weeks with his medical-grade one, and I doubt that I could have found it with one from the net or BRU.
Get one.
My baby died around 29 weeks and I just knew in my heart something was wrong but didn't make it to the doctors in time because I kept thinking oh she's probably just sleeping or not as active when in fact she had separated from the placenta and died. Maybe if I had kept my doppler instead of getting rid of it once I could feel the baby kicking I could have used it and known something was way wrong.
It's very easy for women who have never had anything but healthy, normal pregnancies to say dopplers are "pointless."
Women who have had losses, threatened miscarriages, spotting, or other issues have a totally different perspective on pregnancy.
To the OP, it's really a decision only you can make. You know yourself better than we do. Do you think you have the ability to remain calm and not panic in a situation where you couldn't find the hb?
I still don't think a doppler is going to help the situation. I had (have) one. I am an OB nurse. I know how to use one, I use one every single day. I couldn't find a heart beat with my cheap-o (about $75) one until well after I was feeling movement. So yes, I would call this a waste of money.
if it reassures your or gives you peace of mind it is worth it to you, regardless from what anyone else thinks. its YOUR Pregnancy- enjoy it! listen to the heart 8 hours a day - no one gets to judge. Own it, Do it, Go with it.
I bought one last week, i got one with a digital screen so i could see the number because lots of times you will pick up the blood flowing through the placenta and get your own heart beat instead of the babies (especially early) so i wanted to see that number so I know the 70 number is me and i need to keep looking.
im way high risk, and i will listen to my babys heart beat as often and as frequently as my heart desires. just be patient in the beginning until you figure out how to use it and where (physically on you ) to find the baby, give yourself 2 weeks before you panic, and then if you still cant find it ask the doctor to show you where.
there is nothing wrong with checking, it will not hurt the baby or you.
Again, its YOUR pregnancy, and you get to do what YOU want, and what makes YOU feel comfortable and secure.
Thanks for all of the input! My doctor, so far, has just done ultrasounds and not used the Doppler at all, so I don?t know if she would be able to find it at my current state of development or not. I have thought about renting one. The rented ones seem to be higher quality and would probably have a greater likelihood of success, but I have a hard time renting something when I could buy for not much more, even though the rented item is better than the bought.
Laurmarie7: What brand of Doppler did you buy? Were there other reasons you might not have been able to find it? Did not being able to find the heartbeat cause you stress? It does seem like many doctors have trouble finding it too based on some of the posts here.
Jcasey456 and catngar77: I am sorry about your losses. I hope both of your pregnancies go well this time.
Do you think you have the ability to remain calm and not panic in a situation where you couldn't find the hb?
I think that's the thing I really need to ask myself. Currently, I'm not sure. It's something I will have to think about. I will hold of buying one for now. If I hold off long enough, I won't need to buy one.
I got one at around 8 weeks with my DD and I was able to find her hb the 3rd time we tried it. It was always pretty easy to find her hb and my DH and I had fun using it for a few months. I didn't see the harm in renting one, it was our first pg and we were excited. With this one, I'm way more kick back and probably wont rent one. I say if you want to, go for it.