Use of Doppler at Prenatal appointments

nikkimom77 · June 2012

Does your OB use the fetal doppler heartrate monitor at every appointment?

My husband and I would like to opt out of use of the doppler during the pregnancy, but my OB said they have to use it at every appointment in order to document that there has not been a miscarriage. Just curious how often everyone else is getting it used?

sschwege · June 2012

Yes, every appointment. You could see if they can use a fetoscope, but I think you have to wait until later in your pregnancy for that.

ClarissaExplainsItAll · June 2012

Yes, every appointment.

Just curious, why would you like to opt out?

StefandTodd · June 2012

Yes, even our home birth m/w will check with the doppler every time.

I understand the concerns about u/s (why I'd never have a home doppler or get an elective u/s), but I figure once a month is okay.

sschwege · June 2012

StefandTodd:
Yes, even our home birth m/w will check with the doppler every time.

I understand the concerns about u/s (why I'd never have a home doppler or get an elective u/s), but I figure once a month is okay.

Exactly! And they do it super quick, like 30 seconds.

Laur816 · June 2012

Every appointment through my last pregnancy. Why opt out? I haven't heard anything negative?

elisabethb29 · June 2012

Seems like it is going to be an every appt thing from here on out, have had it done at last 2 appts. But, it is pretty quick.

nikkimom77 · June 2012

ClarissaExplainsItAll:

Yes, every appointment.

Just curious, why would you like to opt out?

I have just been reading up on it. There is some question of safety out there about it. I read that it is more powerful than an image ultrasound and that one minute is equal to 30 minutes of a regular ultrasound. I have also read that it could be linked to speech delays, autism, etc. Not sure how true all of that is. However, I have a DS who we used the doppler every appt, and had 4 ultrasounds on. He was speech delayed and the jury is still out on autism. I am not sure what caused the speech delay, but do feel uncomfortable about the constant use of the doppler and ultrasounds. We opted out of the NT this time and are just trying to take as many precautions as possible. If we had not had any previous problems, I probably would have never thought about it.

+Jasha+ · June 2012

My dr used the doppler at every appointment with DS and I expect the same will be true this time around. I would imagine you could ask them to use the fetoscope/stethoscope once you are far enough along for it. But the uterus, and baby, need to be up and out of your pelvis and big enough for dr to hear anything with the fetoscope/stethoscope.

Pamela05 · June 2012

No, that is not true. It is not stronger than an u/s and both are very low energy non-ionizing waves. And it's an extremely short exposure.

LaceAndLilies · June 2012

I am a special education teacher with a masters degree in the field and have never heard that ultrasounds or dopplers can cause those sorts of issues. The jury is really out in terms of causes for Autism (beyond the genetic link). Speaking as a special educator turned mommy-to-be, ultrasounds can provide vital information about the special needs a child may have. They certainly can't find everything, but it can give parents an important heads-up that allows them to research and get the needed supports (early intervention services, etc) in place before baby arrives.

With that said, each of us needs to do what we feel is best for our baby. If you are uncomfortable with a particular test or the use of a given device, your doctor should respect that decision and make whatever modification is needed as soon as it would be appropriate. Good luck!

choppinbroccoli22 · June 2012

Yes, my midwife used it at every appt. The quality of the HB can also change. We needed to be referred to a pediatric cardiologist for two special sonograms. Everything was fine, it was benign and resolved on its own, but they do want to get right on it if they notice an irregularity.

4legsRbest · June 2012

LaceAndLilies:

I am a special education teacher with a masters degree in the field and have never heard that ultrasounds or dopplers can cause those sorts of issues. The jury is really out in terms of causes for Autism (beyond the genetic link). Speaking as a special educator turned mommy-to-be, ultrasounds can provide vital information about the special needs a child may have. They certainly can't find everything, but it can give parents an important heads-up that allows them to research and get the needed supports (early intervention services, etc) in place before baby arrives.

With that said, each of us needs to do what we feel is best for our baby. If you are uncomfortable with a particular test or the use of a given device, your doctor should respect that decision and make whatever modification is needed as soon as it would be appropriate. Good luck!

I 100% agree with all of this even the part about doing what is best for yourself but I am not at all a fan of handing out unfounded advice either - this to me is along the lines of someone posting on this board that "stress causes miscarriage".. If you "have heard" they are dangerous and read it "somewhere" please be careful how you put that out there. I trust my RE who said using my doppler everyday is totally fine more so than internet strangers or doctor google.

The care you chose for you and your baby will right for you and I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy and birth plan.

ETA: And to actually answer your question I see a midwife at a natural birthing center, not an OB, and they use a doppler every time but only do one u/s at 20 weeks. If you want a nt scan at 12 weeks you have to go see a specialist since they aren't doctors and don't do the birth defect screenings. I am sure if I didn't want them to use a doppler they would be okay with that but they are against physical exams of the uterus and cervix because they think it invites infection and can disturb the pregnancy - not sure I 100% agree with them on that but I also don't think physical exams are always necessary. To each their own!

mrsz2008 · June 2012

4legsRbest:
LaceAndLilies:

I am a special education teacher with a masters degree in the field and have never heard that ultrasounds or dopplers can cause those sorts of issues. The jury is really out in terms of causes for Autism (beyond the genetic link). Speaking as a special educator turned mommy-to-be, ultrasounds can provide vital information about the special needs a child may have. They certainly can't find everything, but it can give parents an important heads-up that allows them to research and get the needed supports (early intervention services, etc) in place before baby arrives.

With that said, each of us needs to do what we feel is best for our baby. If you are uncomfortable with a particular test or the use of a given device, your doctor should respect that decision and make whatever modification is needed as soon as it would be appropriate. Good luck!

I 100% agree with all of this even the part about doing what is best for yourself but I am not at all a fan of handing out unfounded advice either - this to me is along the lines of someone posting on this board that "stress causes miscarriage".. If you "have heard" they are dangerous and read it "somewhere" please be careful how you put that out there. I trust my RE who said using my doppler everyday is totally fine more so than internet strangers or doctor google.

The care you chose for you and your baby will right for you and I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy and birth plan.

ETA: And to actually answer your question I see a midwife at a natural birthing center, not an OB, and they use a doppler every time but only do one u/s at 20 weeks. If you want a nt scan at 12 weeks you have to go see a specialist since they aren't doctors and don't do the birth defect screenings. I am sure if I didn't want them to use a doppler they would be okay with that but they are against physical exams of the uterus and cervix becuase they think it invites infection and can distrub the pergnnacy - not sure I 100% agree with them on that but I also don't think physical exams are always necessary. To each thier own!

This, I couldn't have said it better myself.

nikkimom77 · June 2012

4legsRbest:
LaceAndLilies:

I am a special education teacher with a masters degree in the field and have never heard that ultrasounds or dopplers can cause those sorts of issues. The jury is really out in terms of causes for Autism (beyond the genetic link). Speaking as a special educator turned mommy-to-be, ultrasounds can provide vital information about the special needs a child may have. They certainly can't find everything, but it can give parents an important heads-up that allows them to research and get the needed supports (early intervention services, etc) in place before baby arrives.

With that said, each of us needs to do what we feel is best for our baby. If you are uncomfortable with a particular test or the use of a given device, your doctor should respect that decision and make whatever modification is needed as soon as it would be appropriate. Good luck!

I 100% agree with all of this even the part about doing what is best for yourself but I am not at all a fan of handing out unfounded advice either - this to me is along the lines of someone posting on this board that "stress causes miscarriage".. If you "have heard" they are dangerous and read it "somewhere" please be careful how you put that out there. I trust my RE who said using my doppler everyday is totally fine more so than internet strangers or doctor google.

The care you chose for you and your baby will right for you and I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy and birth plan.

ETA: And to actually answer your question I see a midwife at a natural birthing center, not an OB, and they use a doppler every time but only do one u/s at 20 weeks. If you want a nt scan at 12 weeks you have to go see a specialist since they aren't doctors and don't do the birth defect screenings. I am sure if I didn't want them to use a doppler they would be okay with that but they are against physical exams of the uterus and cervix because they think it invites infection and can disturb the pregnancy - not sure I 100% agree with them on that but I also don't think physical exams are always necessary. To each their own!

I was very careful about not wanting to to hand out advice which is why I did not mention my reason for not wanting to use the doppler in my initial post. The only reason that I mentioned it is because I was asked specifically about it. I was not giving advice on what anyone else should do.

nikkimom77 · June 2012

4legsRbest:
LaceAndLilies:

I am a special education teacher with a masters degree in the field and have never heard that ultrasounds or dopplers can cause those sorts of issues. The jury is really out in terms of causes for Autism (beyond the genetic link). Speaking as a special educator turned mommy-to-be, ultrasounds can provide vital information about the special needs a child may have. They certainly can't find everything, but it can give parents an important heads-up that allows them to research and get the needed supports (early intervention services, etc) in place before baby arrives.

With that said, each of us needs to do what we feel is best for our baby. If you are uncomfortable with a particular test or the use of a given device, your doctor should respect that decision and make whatever modification is needed as soon as it would be appropriate. Good luck!

I 100% agree with all of this even the part about doing what is best for yourself but I am not at all a fan of handing out unfounded advice either - this to me is along the lines of someone posting on this board that "stress causes miscarriage".. If you "have heard" they are dangerous and read it "somewhere" please be careful how you put that out there. I trust my RE who said using my doppler everyday is totally fine more so than internet strangers or doctor google.

The care you chose for you and your baby will right for you and I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy and birth plan.

ETA: And to actually answer your question I see a midwife at a natural birthing center, not an OB, and they use a doppler every time but only do one u/s at 20 weeks. If you want a nt scan at 12 weeks you have to go see a specialist since they aren't doctors and don't do the birth defect screenings. I am sure if I didn't want them to use a doppler they would be okay with that but they are against physical exams of the uterus and cervix because they think it invites infection and can disturb the pregnancy - not sure I 100% agree with them on that but I also don't think physical exams are always necessary. To each their own!

I was very careful about not wanting to to hand out advice which is why I did not mention my reason for not wanting to use the doppler in my initial post. The only reason that I mentioned it is because I was asked specifically about it. I was not giving advice on what anyone else should do.

nikkimom77 · June 2012

4legsRbest:
LaceAndLilies:

I am a special education teacher with a masters degree in the field and have never heard that ultrasounds or dopplers can cause those sorts of issues. The jury is really out in terms of causes for Autism (beyond the genetic link). Speaking as a special educator turned mommy-to-be, ultrasounds can provide vital information about the special needs a child may have. They certainly can't find everything, but it can give parents an important heads-up that allows them to research and get the needed supports (early intervention services, etc) in place before baby arrives.

With that said, each of us needs to do what we feel is best for our baby. If you are uncomfortable with a particular test or the use of a given device, your doctor should respect that decision and make whatever modification is needed as soon as it would be appropriate. Good luck!

I 100% agree with all of this even the part about doing what is best for yourself but I am not at all a fan of handing out unfounded advice either - this to me is along the lines of someone posting on this board that "stress causes miscarriage".. If you "have heard" they are dangerous and read it "somewhere" please be careful how you put that out there. I trust my RE who said using my doppler everyday is totally fine more so than internet strangers or doctor google.

The care you chose for you and your baby will right for you and I wish you the best of luck with your pregnancy and birth plan.

ETA: And to actually answer your question I see a midwife at a natural birthing center, not an OB, and they use a doppler every time but only do one u/s at 20 weeks. If you want a nt scan at 12 weeks you have to go see a specialist since they aren't doctors and don't do the birth defect screenings. I am sure if I didn't want them to use a doppler they would be okay with that but they are against physical exams of the uterus and cervix because they think it invites infection and can disturb the pregnancy - not sure I 100% agree with them on that but I also don't think physical exams are always necessary. To each their own!

I was very careful about not wanting to to hand out advice which is why I did not mention my reason for not wanting to use the doppler in my initial post. The only reason that I mentioned it is because I was asked specifically about it. I was not giving advice on what anyone else should do.

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