Not having doppler success

Mom2Cinderella · April 2011

Yesterday, I had an appointment with my ob and she tried to find the heartbeat with the doppler. No luck this time. So she did an ultrasound and she found the heartbeat and said it was nice and strong. Today my home doppler showed up in the mail so I couldn't resist. Tried twice to find it. Nope. I have tried very low and slow, etc. Just can't find it. I am not freaking out because I know my ob had trouble yesterday and the u/s was ok. I don't know if the baby is just in a position that is hard to pick up or what, but I am a little upset. Sad

It seems like so many ladies on here starting picking it up before 11 weeks and had no problems.

jamilynn9 · April 2011

It is a bit early to detect on a home doppler. Try drinking a cold drink or eating something sweet before trying again. Don't forget to go really, really low with it. It probably just is very early, especially if your OB had trouble on a mre advanced one.

lkstor · April 2011

Sorry

Hide it from yourself and try in a week! It's still super early

Jordan1234 · April 2011

My ob didn't even try until 14 weeks with the doppler, and that's when I was first able to hear it on my own. Try not to worry! If she found it on the u/s that is great!

xnbride · April 2011

If you remember what side the baby was on then tilt the doppler wand into your stomach at that location at an angle. Lean your body back either on your bed or end of couch so it forces your pelvis to stick out. Move it around that area very slowly. GL. Sometimes it is hard to find that little heartbeat, but you know it is there!

cflocco · April 2011

I'm still not having success either! Sad

I keep thinking I hear it but then I know its my hearbeat because its only around 100 which I know is too low for baby's. I guess I will try again in a few days. I am reading through the responses. I will try putting a pillow under my butt, drinking a cold drink, and eating something sweet next time!

eminbmore · April 2011

I didn't have any luck with my doppler until I was 16 weeks. I tried about once a week from week 8 on, but didn't find the HB until then. That's common though - I honestly don't believe as many people find the HB in the early weeks (like people who say they're finding it at weeks 8, 9, 10 etc.) actually are - I think most people are getting their own HB.

Anyway, my doctor also said he wouldn't even try until 16 weeks (as it was, he didn't until 20 weeks - I had an u/s at 16 weeks instead due to cramping).

julesjb · April 2011

RachaelA:
Try putting a pillow under your butt. Make sure you bladder is empty. Tilt the wand slowly in all directions.

This!!

hopefulelise · April 2011

I had better success with an empty bladder too. I was having trouble doing it on myself, but after my DH watched my Dr. do it on me, he's got it down! He starts in the low middle and just tilts the wand. We were doing too much moving around the belly, but I think tilting the wand is key.

quezzo · April 2011

My DH almost always helps me. It's hard to steer down there and lay completely relaxes at once. I also couldn't really find it consistently until 12 weeks. I still find him really low, like along the pantyline.

Mom2Cinderella · April 2011

Ok I think I found it! It took me three attempts over about 3 hours! The doppler didn't register a number above 120, but the beat was definitely like a galloping horse. It was definitely faster than mine. I did have a doppler with my DD and used it often so I think I am pretty good at distinguishing the difference. It was hard to find and I had to go down by pubic bone, off to the side and angle it inwards. I think the baby is way down my cervix and pubic bone. Thanks ladies. This doppler may help, but may be a source of rattled nerves!

TeacherVicky · April 2011

I'm sorry.

I think knowing that even your OB couldn't locate the hb with her doppler, you should put it away for a bit (a week or two) to avoid any kind of panic.

madiegirl83 · April 2011

Go low and go slow, and I had to push in kinda hard. Not dangerous hard, just with a little extra pressure. I kept getting my own at around 80, but it is unmistakable when you find the baby's! It will probably also be faint and hard to hear for that reason. Be patient and I am sure you will find it! Good luck!!

aarons_princessWed79754 · April 2011

My doctor couldn't find our little girl with her doppler until our 17 week appointment, so each appointment before then ended in an ultrasound, which was fine. Turns out that I have an anterior placenta so it was hard to pick up Romy's heartbeat through the placenta. Good luck

damabo80 · April 2011

My first success wasn't until 11w4d, and even then, I tried for about 20 minutes with a fuller than full bladder. Between 11.5w-14w, I only had success with the doppler about 50% of the time.

Totally normal not to pick anything up at 11w1d. Plus, if you have an anterior placenta, add some more time to your timeframe.

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