Home Doppler Fail

JD83 · April 2014

I'm 17w and today is the first time I haven't been able to find the baby's heartbeat on my home doppler. Starting to freak me out as I've tried three times now and can only find my own. Should I head over to the ER to be safe or just calm the hell down and try again later?

rlyttle · April 2014

NO, do not go to the ER!! That would be a waste of money!! If you are that concerned call your OB first, not the ER. Put the doppler away & try again tonight or tomorrow. I know it's stressful, but your LO probably just moved into a weird position & is hiding. GL!!

MrsLaLaBug · April 2014

I would DEF not go to the ER... maybe just call your OB? If you are really that worried. This is why home dopplers are not always a good idea.

Gizmo1231 · April 2014

This is why I continue not to buy one even though I really want to listen to LO's heartbeat. I would wait and try tomorrow. If you don't again tomorrow maybe call your OB.

JD83 · April 2014

Thanks, all. I only ask about the ER because it's about two blocks away, it's a military treatment facility, and I'm pretty sure they're not terribly busy. If it was a regular ER I wouldn't bother with it. I'll give it some time and try again. I think I just needed to hear that this happens sometimes and it's not an emergency situation. Thanks again!

Stasi · April 2014

How far along are you? Could you maybe drink some juice and lay down and try to feel some movement? Good luck!

JD83 · April 2014

17w 2d. I haven't felt anything yet at all, but I know that's pretty common, especially for a first child. I've been very lucky so far so I think I'm being paranoid about the other shoe dropping. I will try again later. Maybe baby will move for DH.

Bella2425 · April 2014

I did this to myself on Friday. Finally found it after a very long hour. DONT DO THAT though. I freaked myself out even more because I was then sore from all the (what I thought was) gentle pushing on my ute with the wand. I'd wait till tonight and try with a full bladder. I tried yesterday and found it immediately. They just wiggle around. I also had my DH hide the thing from me and told him to only let us check for it together once a week. Kind of wish I hadn't bought the thing....

LoveOBX917 · April 2014

I'm finding it harder to find her the further along I get. At 13-16 weeks I would find her in a split second. Now at 18 weeks it takes a little time. It's confusing to me because I thought it would be the opposite... The bigger she gets, the easier it should be I thought. I have an anterior placenta so maybe as that grows it gets a little trickier? I will say that for the past couple weeks when I do find her, the HB is so strong I have to grab the volume dial and turn it way down because the bass of it seems like it's gonna bust the speakers LOL So that's comforting at least. I agree with others to just try again later if you can't find it, maybe after food or with a full bladder.

drae86 · April 2014

I can only find it for about 10 seconds at most then the LO runs from me poking it. I only check it for a second to make sure the hearts beating anyway.

Not sure how you only heard your heartbeat?

Flowerchica · April 2014

Everyone's right - don't go to the ER. It can still be hard to find the HB at 17 weeks - my midwife warned me of that. So here's the morbid perspective - if anything's happened to your baby - at 17 weeks there isn't really anything the doc's will do. You can see your OB to get a confirmation if the baby's still there. I don't know if this is any consolation but my midwife said at 17 weeks the baby's heart is about the size of a dime - and that's what you are trying to find with a doppler - it can be difficult - especially if the baby is moving.

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