Doppler Use (How Often?)

toomanycats1 · April 2014

Honest answers please. How often did you/do you use your home doppler? The statistics on how much is too much vary, and I've got mixed messages from my OB and midwife (one says it's ok to use everyday, the other say once a week).

I'm 13 weeks today, and I've had 4 ultrasounds so far this pregnancy, so I'm worried about the doppler waves effecting the baby. I read a thing about the waves altering their cells, that's really scared me.

Ideally, I just want to be able to do a quick h/b check for 5 minutes or so daily. Would that be too much?

When I start feeling movement, this obviously won't be an issue any longer.

WWPGALD?

toomanycats1 · April 2014

@mattsgirl2004 - Thanks so much! I was hoping others have done the same. I feel like I've been "cheating" the last couple days because I just can't help myself. I never sit there and listen to it for long. Mostly I find the h/b, listen for maybe a minute tops, then turn it off right away.

The peace of mind it's been giving me is just wonderful. It would be a hard temptation to break if I had to :P

Heeb918 · April 2014

I only allowed myself to use it 2 or 3 times a week. Sunday evenings, then one or two nights during the week depending on nerves. It wasn't a medical thing for me, I knew the more often I checked the more often I might not hear something so I limited for my sanity.

CaitNMatt · April 2014

I used mine daily from about weeks 11-15. After that, it was every few days until I felt movement on a consistent basis. I think since week 20+ I've only used it once when baby was having a really quiet day. My rule though is that I would only allow myself a few minutes to look and once I heard the hb, I shut it off. My midwife was fine with this method!! I don't think I would've stayed sane without it.

voplo · April 2014

When I first got it, I used it daily. I still use it every 2-3 days since this baby seems to not want to move too much, even though I am already 24 weeks.... It is amazing for reassuring. Check the videos in internet for how to catch the hb. I was listening to my placenta for a while...lol

kimmyberly26 · April 2014

I limited myself to every other day until I could feel movement. Now at 33 weeks, I probably only use it once a month just to hear that beautiful HB.

carlsonbaby2014 · April 2014

Hi @HelloSweetie1 - I'm glad you asked this question, I'll be following the responses because I'd like to get one, and use it, when the time comes. Mind if I also ask which brand you got and did you buy or rent it?

Lots of love and (((hugs)))

.

toomanycats1 · April 2014

@Carlsonbaby2014 - I'm so glad to see things are going well for you! I bought the Sonoline B doppler, and I love it! It was able to pick up baby's h/b when my OB's doppler couldn't. I wanted the 3mhz wand (which I've heard is better), but they messed up and sent me the 2mhz instead. So far it works great though. I started finding the h/b around 11 weeks, and I'm not exactly tiny $:\$ "> Definitely get one!

carlsonbaby2014 · April 2014

HelloSweetie1 said:

@Carlsonbaby2014 - I'm so glad to see things are going well for you! I bought the Sonoline B doppler, and I love it! It was able to pick up baby's h/b when my OB's doppler couldn't. I wanted the 3mhz wand (which I've heard is better), but they messed up and sent me the 2mhz instead. So far it works great though. I started finding the h/b around 11 weeks, and I'm not exactly tiny $:\$ "> Definitely get one!

Perfect, I've heard good things about that doppler. I'm definitely going to buy one. Thanks, love! :-*

mmhusted · April 2014

We had a similar debate in our family. My sister in law went to a granola midwife who doesn't use ultrasound or Doppler's to check the baby during pregnancy. Only a stethoscope. (I was anxious her entire pregnancy for her! Luckily the baby was slightly underweight but otherwise healthy). This caused a great debate about using our Doppler. Hubby asked the OB, ultrasound tech and my sister who is an NP for their opinion. Luckily all had some form of the same answer- a brief check will cause a lot less harm than your wife having an anxiety attack! I use mine a few times a week or when I'm having anxious moments.

JessicaG220 · April 2014

Obviously, doctors have varying opinions on this. I just had an appointment with my OB this morning and I asked him this same question. He said using them as often as you'd like is completely safe. He said tons of doctors and nurses in medical school were pregnant and they would check every, single day. But every doctor is different, so I would ask your doctor and see what he/she says. I LOVE having the reassurance between appointments!

CaitNMatt · April 2014

I wanted to add something- I also have the Sonoline B and I used aloe gel with it. Definitely look up the videos on you tube as well!! It was a huge help early on.

MrsHamon09 · April 2014

Personally I use mine every 3ish days sometimes more often if PGAL brain is flaring but I do try to limit how often

dogsombrero · April 2014

I used mine weekly plus bad Pgal brain days. I promised DH to only use it weekly so I wouldn't get myself too worked up because I can get a little dramatic honestly. Plus we looked forward to hearing it on the specified day together and knowing it was there (and using it) when we really needed reassurance too.

meli1025 · April 2014

mattsgirl2004 said:

I used mine daily for a quick h/b check until I could feel movement. My OB told me that if it gave me peace of mind, that a quick check daily was okay. Generally I could find the h/b in less than 5 minutes, so there wasn't much exposure overall. I never researched it, just asked my OB and she gave me the "okay."

This for me as well.

4legsRbest · April 2014

I used mine every day (sometimes twice) with my DS1, who is perfectly awesome. With my twins, I am a little more comfy (have no idea why) so every other day.

My OB and RE both gave me the okay, but honeslty I would do it anyway.

jess123456 · April 2014

I use it daily (I'm about 10.5 weeks) and it helps my anxiety so much.

My doctor was just concerned that if I couldn't find it I would be nervous.

jess123456 · April 2014

carlsonbaby2014 said:

HelloSweetie1 said:

@Carlsonbaby2014 - I'm so glad to see things are going well for you! I bought the Sonoline B doppler, and I love it! It was able to pick up baby's h/b when my OB's doppler couldn't. I wanted the 3mhz wand (which I've heard is better), but they messed up and sent me the 2mhz instead. So far it works great though. I started finding the h/b around 11 weeks, and I'm not exactly tiny $:\$ "> Definitely get one!

Perfect, I've heard good things about that doppler. I'm definitely going to buy one. Thanks, love! :-* </

The 3mhz one is awesome! I picked it up at 8 weeks 1 day which is so early and probably rare! The one my doctor used today couldn't even pick mine up so I got an ultrasound.

mtaylor404 · April 2014

I used it about every other day or so until I felt consistent movement. I have used it maybe 5 times since 20 weeks.

2ndGeneration · April 2014

I'm 11w4d and I use mine about every two days. I'll use it tonight (dh is a pro at finding the hb!) and then again Sat night or Sunday morn because we're announcing on Easter : )

megbmeg · April 2014

when did you all start using it? It's way too early for me, but I think when I'm farther along I would find it really reassuring.

@2ndgeneration - how exciting to be announcing this weekend!! Is it a family get together where you can announce?

katiebartton · April 2014

I used mine everyday until I started feeling movement. I'll pull it out every once in awhile but now it's like once every 2 weeks just so I can hear him

mrsjg2013 · April 2014

Thank you @HelloSweetie1 for asking this question- I've been considering getting one once we have a confirmed heartbeat at our first ultrasound at 6 1/2 weeks.

I'm interested in @megbmeg's question about how early you've been able to hear a h/b with it!

toomanycats1 · April 2014

@mrsjg2013 - Definitely get one! I've found it very helpful in keeping my PGAL brain at a manageable level.

I wasn't able to find the h/b until 9.5 weeks. It was very faint, and I had to calculate the bpm myself because the counter wouldn't register. Now at 14 weeks it's finally picking up strong enough to register, although baby moves before it can finish counting, so I still end up doing a manual count

:P

dragonfly711 · April 2014

A friend let me borrow hers about two weeks ago. I have used it twice.

I feel her even though she is not that active so I always forget about the Doppler.

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Doppler Use (How Often?)

Re: Doppler Use (How Often?)

Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

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Want a personalized experience?

Doppler Use (How Often?)

Re: Doppler Use (How Often?)

Began trying for a baby January 2012BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

Began trying for a baby January 2012BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

Choose Another Board

Search Boards

Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014

Began trying for a baby January 2012
BFP 4.25.2013 EDD 1.3.2014 MMC 6.3.2013 D&C 6.19.2013
BFP 11.3.2013 CP 11.6.2013
BFP 3.31.2014 EDD 12.10.2014 Baby boy Carlson born 12.19.2014