Tell me I made the right decision.

bananers · November 2012

So, all along I've been against getting a doppler. As much as I wanted to hear the HB again, I knew I'd freak out if I couldn't find it, and was afraid I'd overanalyze things if it were slower than the last time I heard it.

Well, today, I just couldn't stand it any longer, and I ordered one. It was sort of an impulse buy. Yikes. I'm having conflicting feelings of being so excited to get to hear my baby's HB again in a few days, mixed with the original worry that I'll just end up stressing myself out even more! Gah.

I think what finally put me over the edge was the realization that I have a work trip coming up the day after our next appointment. I don't know what I'd do if, God forbid, there was no heartbeat at that appointment. It would be too late for me to cancel the trip, but there's no way I'd be able to go either.

I'm trying to reason with myself that best case scenario, I get the doppler and everything sounds great and there are no surprises going into next appt. Worst case scenario, I can't find the HB with the doppler and I get checked out sooner than later -- and not the day before I have to fly out for a work conference. Sad It's a terrible way to think, but such is PGAL, right?

Please reassure me that I did the right thing!

weaslewam · November 2012

You did the right thing for you! I just ordered one myself (yes, a little early but I really wanted one this time around) and I think it's going to help reassure my PgAL mind that everything is as it should be. Or if it's not... we can go in and have the professionals look at it earlier than maybe if we didn't have one.

Personally, I'd rather know earlier than not. I had a mmc and didn't know my baby had died 3 weeks prior to the ultrasound where I found out. I was getting more attached every day and it's hard to think that I was walking around thinking everything was fine when it wasn't.

rkrichey · November 2012

I totally understand where you were coming from with not wanting to get the doppler. I wanted one so badly when I was pg with DS but never got one. Every day in between appointments before I felt movement was excruciating. I did get one this time and it was a total sanity saver for me. I've never had a problem finding the hb. One time, and only one time, it took more than about 10 seconds to find it and I did freak a little bit but I found it after about a minute. I think you did what was right for you. I don't think you'll have any trouble finding the hb, especially once you get better at using the doppler. I hope it just makes you feel more at ease. And it you do start to get freaked out by it, just have DH hide it and not let you know where it is

bananers · November 2012

weaslewam:
You did the right thing for you! I just ordered one myself (yes, a little early but I really wanted one this time around) and I think it's going to help reassure my PgAL mind that everything is as it should be. Or if it's not... we can go in and have the professionals look at it earlier than maybe if we didn't have one.
Personally, I'd rather know earlier than not. I had a mmc and didn't know my baby had died 3 weeks prior to the ultrasound where I found out. I was getting more attached every day and it's hard to think that I was walking around thinking everything was fine when it wasn't.

I can so relate to this. Ours was a MMC too. Baby had only died a week earlier, but a week after our MMC diagnosis I still hadn't shown any signs of miscarrying on my own (in fact, I still felt pregnant and was throwing up every day), so who knows how much longer I would have walked around thinking everything was okay, if not for that early u/s. I think I've been so scarred by that experience that that's my biggest fear - something going wrong and not knowing it.

krwact · November 2012

bananers:
weaslewam:
You did the right thing for you! I just ordered one myself (yes, a little early but I really wanted one this time around) and I think it's going to help reassure my PgAL mind that everything is as it should be. Or if it's not... we can go in and have the professionals look at it earlier than maybe if we didn't have one.
Personally, I'd rather know earlier than not. I had a mmc and didn't know my baby had died 3 weeks prior to the ultrasound where I found out. I was getting more attached every day and it's hard to think that I was walking around thinking everything was fine when it wasn't.
I can so relate to this. Ours was a MMC too. Baby had only died a week earlier, but a week after our MMC diagnosis I still hadn't shown any signs of miscarrying on my own (in fact, I still felt pregnant and was throwing up every day), so who knows how much longer I would have walked around thinking everything was okay, if not for that early u/s. I think I've been so scarred by that experience that that's my biggest fear - something going wrong and not knowing it.

I'm going through the same decision making process right now. I caved and went in this afternoon for a Doppler check there and the staff was awesome, gave me hugs and reassured me that I was not crazy (even though I know better). It was SO wonderful to hear that HB that it's making me question my decision not to get one for home. As PP said, I think you made the right decision for you and if you can give yourself enough leeway not to freak out if you don't find it right away, you'll be fine. FYI, it took my nurse who has more than 20 years of experience about 5 minutes to find my LO today. 2 weeks ago they found it right away, so remember that not finding it right away is not necessarily bad news.

ShellBear+ · November 2012

I think you will be glad you got it. At this point you shouldn't have much trouble finding the hb. I have found it every time fairly easily since about 12 weeks. It just really helps my pgal mind from going crazy every time I don't feel pregnant, which is all the time now! I had 3 mmc's so I was always scared going into an ultrasound. Now I'm much calmer. Be sure to report back once you get it, good luck!

hvtang · November 2012

I was going to try to resist the urge and not get one, and I too, caved. FWIW, I am sooo glad I did. It's amazingly reassuring.

amidkiff · November 2012

I loved my doppler! I don't use it so much now, because LO is so wiggly. But, I think you made a good decision. Enjoy it, but be patient because it can take some time to use it at first.

FreyaWin2382 · November 2012

First of all, I think that this is a personal choice that every one of us has to make, so there are no "right" or "wrongs" here.

That being said, my doppler has saved my sanity and I listen to LO every night. I think that it's good that you are farther along as it definitely is easier to find the heartbeat the further along you get (most of the "freak outs" I have read have been when women who are 9-10 weeks try to find the hb).

Mrs.DeliaMarieP · November 2012

You did the right thing.

It's not as if you ordered it at 9 weeks and expected to find it and got upset, you are 14 weeks, it's the perfect time for you to order it.

Meow7511 · November 2012

I think you made a good call. I know if I could afford one, I would get one. They might not be as good as one in the office, but I think it must be nice to be able to find the heart beat and breathe easy!

zombiemommy · November 2012

You did the right thing. I'm no petite princess (size 18 with an anterior placenta) and I could almost always find both heartbeats fairly swiftly after 16 weeks. My doppler is the second best way I've spent $50 in the past five years. The first best way was in getting an elective ultrasound at 10 weeks that told me we were having twins, something the 6 week hospital ultrasound had missed. Smile

You'll be just fine, and that thing will really help out the further along you are. Good luck!

Junebug060609 · November 2012

I didn't get one last pg for the reasons you listed against it. I did for this one though once it hit me what a production it would be to run out for an ultrasound with a toddler.

Do what suits you in your situation.

big_noise · November 2012

I don't have a doppler for many of the reasons you have stated, and I was like that with DD too. Glad I didn't have one. However, I've always been able to manage that I didn't have something that I absolutely had to be at work-wise following an appointment. I don't like to have any meetings on appointment days, if I can manage. So, given your work situation, I probably would be making the same decision.

Cherry1111 · November 2012

I ordered my Doppler right around 14 weeks and was so glad to have it. Instead of feeling so scared between those every 4 weeks appointments I was able to reassure myself nightly.

Gregermis · November 2012

You did the right thing! Fx you find it super fast when it comes Smile

mrssoprano · November 2012

I think you did the right thing. My doppler is very reassuring between appointments. Oh, and I totally get the PgAL line of thinking. Sad

Mom2anAngel2 · November 2012

To get a doppler or not is a very personal decision. I did get one and it was a life saver on many occasions. I think I would have been at my doctor's office a few times per week if I did not get one. I was able to come home from work and listen for a little while. It gave me peace of mind. Especially after I began to feel movement, but it was not regular. I felt movement for several weeks prior to loosing our son. We found out at our a/s that he no longer had a heartbeat. I used my doppler before each appointment and and u/s just so that I was not "surprised" at those visits again. I would not have survived without it.

lavril · November 2012

I also had a mmc and the thought of walking around for 3w w/o knowing freaks me out. I just ordered my doppler last night and I.cannot.wait. for it to arrive! I hope it brings you much comfort!

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