On the fence about fetal dopplers

[Deleted User] · April 2014

I don't know what to do! Fetal dopplers are a pretty popular thread topic 'round these parts, and I always thought to myself I wouldn't get one, because I was afraid I might get obsessive about it. Well now I'm halfway through my 11th week, and had an appointment with my OB this afternoon in which we got to hear the heartbeat via doppler. Since my BFP, I've had 3 ultrasounds and have now gotten to hear LO's heartbeat twice. I've had one appointment a week for the past 3 weeks, and since everything's going well they're weaning me down to one appointment every two weeks. So now I don't have another appointment to hear LO's heartbeat until two weeks from today... which means for the first time I'm seriously considering ordering the Sonoline B doppler from eBay. They're less than $45 and free shipping, a pretty good deal. I'm just on the fence about it because I'm worried I'll overdo it. I don't want to become obsessive and search for the heartbeat every day, or freak out if I can't find it. But I also don't know if I can handle waiting two weeks to hear that LO is doing alright in there.

Have you ladies found your dopplers to be beneficial in calming PgAL brain? Or have some of you opted out of ordering one due to the fact that it might end up causing additional PgAL insanity? Please help me make up my wishy-washy mind!

voplo · April 2014

To be honest, I bought one, and I barely use it. I was worried that (like you) I would do it all the time, but I got bored pretty fast. I only use it for a peace of mind when the baby doesn't move for a long time. And sometimes not even then, scared that I won't find the HB and I will freak out. But so far at this point is pretty easy to find it

mtaylor404 · April 2014

I bought one and it brought me a great deal of comfort earlier on until around 20ish weeks (when I felt movement and it didn't seem as necessary).

jess123456 · April 2014

I am only 9.5 weeks but using it has brought me so much comfort since last week when I started with it. Sure I would definitely freak out if I couldn't find it so it's a fine line and my doctor did tell me that. However, I haven't had that issue yet. I just allow myself plenty of time to find it. I recorded it on my phone so if I want reassurance and I don't want to do the doppler I watch the video. I had an appointment yesterday and yesterday morning I checked the heart beat and felt so much more calm for my appointment. Only you will know what's best for you. I imagine once I feel movement I won't need it but for now it helps me a ton.

kateitho · April 2014

I used mine obsessively until we passed our last loss milestone. I've relaxed since, but still like to check on him if he is having an extra lazy day...

kathleensam · April 2014

I have used pretty sparingly. Every 3-4 days when I first got it. A handful of times when I first started feeling movement but it was sporadic. And now at the very end it has calmed me greatly a few times when baby was asleep and I went into a complete panic. I have always been able to find the heartbeat, and it has been well worth the investment for me and my nerves.

MrsDL · April 2014

I bought mine when I was pg with my son, before I had my loss. I'm a paranoid pregnant person anyway, so with him I used it a lot and it calmed me when I needed it but before you experience a loss, you know it's possible but you don't think it's going to actually happen to you until it does, so I didn't obsess.

I was afraid to get it out with this pregnancy for the reasons you don't want to get one. I promised myself to not go crazy using it. So far that has gone well. If a have a moment of anxiety about how things are going I use it. If I haven't been able to find the hb, I actually haven't freaked out. I just tell myself I'll check back later. My H told me he was afraid I'd be checking it every chance I got, but that hasn't happen. It provides a nice relief when I need it. The way I see it is once you have a loss, you know it's terrible but you come to accept that nothing, in most cases, can be done to prevent it. So you're just left worrying from apt to apt. If you can have something to take the edge off - I say why not!

Serenla · April 2014

I bought a Sonoline B myself pretty early on, I would only allow myself to use it once a week so I wouldn't go overboard. Now I only use it if he has been quiet for a while. I love the damn thing though, I would have driven myself crazy otherwise.

doglover31 · April 2014

I opted out of getting one. I knew I would get too upset I I had a hard time finding the heartbeat. I didn't want to cause myself that worry so DH and I decided it would be best not to get one

Allison7 · April 2014

I bought one at 10 weeks. At first I used it every week day and it was so reassuring, but I never had a problem finding the hb. At 18 weeks I started feeling movement but it wasn't consistent so I went to every few days. This week I have only used it once - the movements are more regular now so that is reassuring, but I used on a day where I hadn't noticed any movement. My OB appointments are every 4 weeks, so there is no way I could have kept sanity without my Doppler.

HorseLover11 · April 2014

It was something I was on the fence about to and I am so glad I have it! I use it every 3-4 days and stop as soon as I hear the hb. It's very reassuring during the time frame when you aren't feeling movement yet and I have 6 wks between appts!!

pattygrazioso · April 2014

I got a Sonoline B and have been able to hear the heart beat since 8w3d. I do listen to it once a day with my husband and my confidence in this pregnancy has only grown....I love it.

mmhusted · April 2014

Love mine! I freak out in the middle of the night. A quick check and I can go back to sleep so I would have to wait until OB opens in the morning for a "pop in check". Worth every penny.

Belle3184 · April 2014

I'm also on the fence about buying one. I'm about 50/50 on whether it would help or hurt. I'm only six weeks, so it is too early right now, but I'm definitely thinking about it. It's been interesting and helpful to read the responses.

[Deleted User] · April 2014

vinceandang said:

I opted out of ordering one. For me it would have caused significantly more stress. My OB was super awesome with my DS about going in for a quick Doppler check if I was freaking out (which I did take advantage of a few times). With this little peanut, at my last appt (16 weeks) my dr had a little trouble at first finding the HB. If that had happened at home I would have been so stressed and worried. Plus, it's only a little bit (6-8 weeks) before you'll start feeling movement...which is awesome. :-)

My nurse actually mentioned that they can do something like this for me if I ever get nervous and want to hear my baby. Maybe I'll call my OB office and see what they think. Although it would be nice to have the convenience of being able to do it at home whenever I want.

Thank you all for the responses! I'm still undecided but it definitely helped to see all your experiences and viewpoints.

JessicaG220 · April 2014

I got mine a week ago and I absolutely love having it. It's so reassuring! I have 4 weeks between appointments, and it has kept me from freaking out and going to see my doctor sooner. At 9 weeks, I went in a week early because of some stomach pain and everything was fine, but I wish I could have waited until 10 because my doctor does an ultrasound at each appointment. I like to see a full month's growth!

I am very happy I made it to 13 weeks and I'm excited to see how he/she has changed!

Jenrileysmom · April 2014

I love mine! It's been such a relief to have it to calm my PGAL nerves. I got mine when I was in my 10th week and I had a little trouble finding the HB at first (there's a lot of noises in there) I watched a tutorial on you tube and was able to figure it out. It took me a few minutes each time to find the HB when I first got it but after I knew where to look, it got a lot easier. I still use it every day just for a minute or two, to check on my LO and I'm 21 weeks now and feeling a little movement. I'm so glad I bought it.

dragonfly711 · April 2014

I am 30 weeks. Didn't buy one since I didn't want to stressif I didn't find heartbeat. I have an exam once every 4 weeks. Usually the last week is tough but now that I am further along I'm kind of used to waiting 4 weeks in between appointments.

A friend just let me borrow her Doppler. I used it once and honestly forget that I have it.

I don't feel baby move too often. Maybe flutters here and there usually in the evening. I have just gotten used to not feeling movement since all has been fine on all US and on the Doppler.

I think i would have stressed way too much if I got one in the 1 or 2 tri if I couldn't find heartbeat so I am glad I never bought one.

mileswithmyles · April 2014

I was given one by a friend, but have never used it. It is nice to have it for peace of mind on those days when I think I don't feel him move. I like being able to think "If I don't feel anything in 15 minutes, I will use it."

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