What am I doing wrong, RE: Doppler

pamiva1 · May 2012

Ok, so I have a home doppler that I'd love to be able to use. I'm nearly 11 weeks. It seems like lots of people can hear baby at 11 weeks. I get nothing! I was just at the DR on Monday and had an ultrasound and baby looks great and I know heartrate should be in the 150s/160s based on that appointment. Is it really just too early for me to hear something, or am I using this machine wrong? (PS I used it with DS, but it was a bit later... so I generally know where to put probe and what heartrate should sound like, it's just not working yet). Thanks for any input!

Wild_flower25 · May 2012

It might be too early, especially if you aren't trained to use it might be harder. The baby's position in your uterus might make a difference too.

Bethbsn06 · May 2012

It's probably too early for you. A full bladder may help. I have more tummy fat this time, so I know it will be more difficult for me due to that.

nikipau144 · May 2012

It could be too early. Every woman is different. We can't hear anything yet on ours, so I figure I will wait closer to the 12 week mark to try again.

HoolahZinger · May 2012

Just like PPs have said, it could be too early. Also, I think home dopplers are not as sensitive at the ones at the docs. If that's the case, it might not be detected for a bit longer.

zockrockwife · May 2012

At 11 weeks, your uterus is still pretty low. I would position doppler right at pubic bone (in the middle) and slowly aim the wand in different positions, then move wand slightly and repeat. You'll know when you hear baby's heartbeat. I actually looked up on google on how to use my doppler, and I found one that really helped. The video is called "Fetal Doppler Review and Demonstration by plus1please. It's kind of long so I would skip to about the middle, but it's very helpful! I'm almost 17 weeks, and my baby's heart beat can be found in the middle of belly button and pubic bone. Good luck!

FirstBabyMomma · May 2012

My doctor's office won't even have you come in before 12 weeks because they often can't hear the heartbeat easily before then, and it gets people worried for no reason.

[Deleted User] · May 2012

You're too early.

hmontty · May 2012

I am overweight and still heard DD's HB at 10.5 or 11 weeks.

At first I was too high up. Then I realized that you need to get underneath the public bone. So press down and under the bone and just move it like a millimeter at a time.

If you can't find it, wait a few days and try again.

boymomstrong · May 2012

hmontty:

I am overweight and still heard DD's HB at 10.5 or 11 weeks.

At first I was too high up. Then I realized that you need to get underneath the public bone. So press down and under the bone and just move it like a millimeter at a time.

If you can't find it, wait a few days and try again.

This is 100% true! Aim behind your pubic bone! I could hear it at 10.5 weeks too! I needed a full bladder and to be flst on my back as well, and hubby was really good at finding it as he could look at my tummy and find the right area...

Good Luck! But for sre dont panick if you cant find it yet! Babies are really good at hiding!

eav2c · May 2012

Too early. They dint even try to use the Doppler at my ob's office til 12w.

MinaE01 · May 2012

Try putting a pillow under your lower back. Also, try shifting a bit. My baby hangs out on the left side, so I have to try several positions sometimes. Also, as PPs said, the placenta may be in the way, or the baby just isn't cooperating. There are times when I have a very difficult time finding the hb, but I can be really, really patient! Good luck!

hmontty · May 2012

MinaE01:
Try putting a pillow under your lower back. Also, try shifting a bit. My baby hangs out on the left side, so I have to try several positions sometimes. Also, as PPs said, the placenta may be in the way, or the baby just isn't cooperating. There are times when I have a very difficult time finding the hb, but I can be really, really patient! Good luck!

Right! Totally forgot about the pillow!

I put a pillow under my lower back, laid flat (except for the pillow), and pressed under the pubic bone, and even being overweight, I heard it at 10.5 weeks or so.

kellbelle618 · May 2012

Wild_flower25:
It might be too early, especially if you aren't trained to use it might be harder. The baby's position in your uterus might make a difference too.

This. I had a hard time finding my baby's heartbeat on the Doppler and felt like I was the last one to be able to find it. I found out at my NT scan that I had an anterior placenta which is why I had a hard time finding the heartbeat early on.

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