At Home Fetal Doppler - Anyone Using? I didn't have any luck... :(

DDrexler2 · July 2015

Hi Everyone,

I am 14w1d and last night we were visiting a friend who just had a baby and she gave me a fetal doppler she purchased to borrow to listen to the baby's heartbeat in between doctor's appts. I tried it last night without any luck. The nurse at my OB appointment two weeks ago had trouble locating it at first also, she said that the baby was moving around too quickly and had too much room in there to keep a good monitor on, but she did find it and it was 152 BPM. I was sad last night when I couldn't find it since I am already 14 weeks along - has anyone else had trouble using / find their baby's heart beat using an at home Doppler? I watched two You Tube videos last night and was still unsuccessful - does anyone have any tips for me? I could hear my own heartbeat, but not that baby's and I so desperately wanted to find it!

Help!

mollyj931 · July 2015

Watching YouTube videos is helpful and make sure you are looking low enough. Baby is still pretty low. Sometimes trying different times of the day helps too. Just be patient and keep trying!

emmymuf · July 2015

I am using one and i started hearing my baby's heartbeat at 10wks

MrsReynolds1224 · July 2015

I use one every few days. Sometimes I just have to be really patient in order to find it. It may be lower than you initially think it will be.

Kelley421 · July 2015

Are you using the gel or something conductive? And lying down?
I received the Doppler at 11w and found mine that day. Some days we can only find two- this morning was the first time I found all three by myself! DH is better at locating them, probably because he is much more patient.

reishia · July 2015

I'm 15w1d and I can't find mine either. I need to pack it up and put it away cause I will drive myself crazy

Calebsmom0318 · July 2015

I got one last week and it took sometime but we found it. I'm 14 weeks now and the baby was still pretty low. My SO found it quicker than when I did it by myself. I would say just be patient. Took my doctor awhile to find out first time she looked with the Doppler as well.

BethP321 · July 2015

I agree with Kelley. Try using a gel, if you are not already. An Aloe Gel works perfectly (not aloe lotion, aloe gel). Most dopplers come with a gel to use. I cannot find the baby without it. I started using mine at 10 weeks and at around 14 weeks I noticed that I could not get a steady heartbeat because the baby is always moving and squirming to get away from the dang thing. Be patient and look in the places you may not think of. When I am laying on my back, I find a good way to find baby is to look at the level where my hips kind of pop out. Hard to explain, but you'll see it's much lower than you expect. The farther along I get, the lower it seems I have to look to find baby.

DDrexler2 · July 2015

Yes, I used an aloe vera green gel that my friend said works the same as the ultrasound gel, I tried twice last night for about 10 minutes with no luck.

Thank you reishia and Calebsmom0318 - it is reassuring to hear two people who are around the same DD and either had trouble or couldn't find it. Every post I found already on The Bump about the fetal monitors were by women who were only between 8-11 weeks and had no trouble finding it and were overjoyed and excited, so I was getting discouraged reading that. I needed to hear I'm not alone...

lyshalynn · July 2015

Have you tried with a full bladder? I have to have a full bladder to find the heartbeat myself.

Grassieta · July 2015

I found it at 9w with both my pregnancies BUT it took me a lot longer than 10min the first time. I'm now 13w and sometimes it's harder than it was, and I remember the further along I was with my first the more difficult it was, I think she would move away from the thingy. Also, press down a bit.

BabyRut2015 · July 2015

It takes awhile, and they swim around more than you think! Also agree with going LOW. I've had some troubles some days finding it, but usually can. I'm 14 wks 5 days been using it for a few weeks. I rented a good quality one online. Maybe yours isn't as strong and isn't quite picking the sound up yet?

Good luck!!!

abbi1995 · July 2015

I'm 15+5 and still can't find the Buggars heart beat

sck601 · July 2015

I agree with gel and to aim low. You'd be surprised how low the baby is at 14w still. I can find mine about a half an inch above my hair line. You'll want to listen for a galloping sound. Good luck and I hope you find it soon!

lizzielaster · July 2015

It's very common to not find it, as you're not trained to do that... Just keep at it! Baby will pop up soon.

that was the one thing I was told when I took my friends was that "you are not a professional. You might not find the heartbeat. Don't freak out."

peppercorn16 · July 2015

No worrying girl! I found mine at 12 weeks but it took a lot of searching and I only heard it briefly. I tried again and did not find it at all, but today had a great ultrasound with a healthy baby. It is frustrating not to be able to find it, but your LO is probably just wiggling around too much, or too low. You will soon be able to find it easily, as others have said!

Cailin+Deas+Rua · July 2015

I never found it with DS, no matter how hard I tried. I haven't tried with this one because I don't want to frustrate myself.

weeg14 · July 2015

I was able to find it at 8 weeks. I have a Sonoline B and use baby oil instead of aloe vera gel. I also have to have an empty bladder. Just keep trying, you will find it!

mom2be2016 · July 2015

I am 14 weeks 4 days and I had the hardest time finding the heart beat last week. I finally found it and it was much lower than I was anticipating (as in right above my hair line) also I was expecting the heartbeat to be loud and very obvious but it was not. I noticed if I pressed the Doppler harder the heart beat was louder (not too hard though). I just checked for the heartbeat again yesterday and it was in the same location as last week. I think once you find it the first time (just be patient and you will find it) it is easier to find the next times when looking since you have an idea of the general location as well as what the different sounds are that you are hearing (besides just the heart beat). Don't let it stress you out!

Blueyedsky · July 2015

I was able.to find the hb starting at 8 weeks, but now that I'm 13 it's so hard cause the baby is moving like crazy! I can hear him moving and grooving in there though, so that helps. If I find it it's literally for 2 seconds and then pops and cracks and it's gone.

stephseg · July 2015

Do you know the position of your placenta? Anterior means harder to find heartbeat and later to feel movement sometimes! That being said, mine is anterior and I've been having luck with my Doppler every time.

blue**eyes · July 2015

My OB (who has probably used a Doppler several times a day for decades) had a hard time finding the Hb today at 14+ w. She eventually found it but I wouldn't get discouraged given that you are new at this skill.

CaraBoonie · July 2015

I bought one a couple weeks ago, but hadn't had any definitive luck with it...a couple of times I'd hear something in the distance, but I wasn't sure. Today I'm 12 weeks on the dot and thought I'd try it out again...I'm pretty sure I heard it? It didn't sound quite as fast as I've heard on some YouTube videos, but it was loud and clear and then after a few seconds would move away an inch or so! It was in the correct area (closer to the pubic hair than the belly button) I figure my own heartbeat wouldn't move around (I've found my own at the major arteries and I'm also pretty sure I've heard it echoing off the placenta), so I can't imagine it's anything else, right? If so, then count me as another person saying those buggers move around a lot so don't sweat it, haha.

BethP321 · July 2015

Especially if your doctor has a hard time finding it, don't be surprised if you don't find it right away either. You will find it! The moment you do, it will be completely worth it. It's my favorite sound.

monwood04 · July 2015

I feel your frustration. I'm 12 weeks 3 days and we discovered one of our problems was the probe megahertz. Our doppler originally came with a 2 mhtz probe, we purchased the 3 mhtz after ob sucessfully found baby at 10+ weeks. It takes patience, but we've found baby twice. Very faint and sometimes likes to hide behind my heartbeat. Hope that's helpful!

star877 · July 2015

I started using one at 15w and found it after about 10 minutes but once I'd found it I couldn't find it again on that same session. I did it again yesterday and found it but only for about 10 seconds and baby moved, I don't think they like it and they constantly try and wriggle away from it! It could be your placenta is in the way. Baby is still tiny, if I were you I'd leave it a few weeks and try again when your over 16 weeks. In the UK where I am drs and midwives won't even attempt to find a heartbeat until a lady is 16 weeks or over because it can be so hard to find and causes unnecessary worry.

kmj06004 · July 2015

I am 14w5 days. I got my Doppler 4 days ago and the first day we could not find it!! I have luck in the morning on a full bladder laying flat on the bed with my ankles crossed. We found the the last two days like that. But only for a few seconds and it's gone!! Baby loves to move away from it!! We know it was the heartbeat because it does sound like a galloping horse!! You also will find your heartbeat (I'm assuming through the placenta or umbilical cord) it's not as fast and once you hear both you can tell a difference! Just remember baby moves so much! Don't get discouraged!!

cazza22 · July 2015

I've been using my Doppler from 9 weeks and can find it pretty fast low down and always slightly to the right. It's not as loud as the ones you hear on YouTube as well so listen for something a bit quieter. Also because everyone kept going on about how fast it sounds that also made me listen for the wrong sound. Mine sounds like a steady pulse, although I agree with the ladies above now I'm 15w baby moves a lot but it's nice to hear the swishing with the movement. Keep trying in a silent room for a while don't panic just take your time and I'm sure you will find it. Good luck x

DDrexler2 · July 2015

Thanks everyone - all of those comments are very helpful and I feel so much better! I've been gone all weekend but I might give it another try tonight or this week. Our next prenatal visit isn't until August 3rd which feels so far away to wait to hear it again! Might ask my hubby to try also- he is way more patient than I am. Haha. I'll keep everyone posted!

It's just such a nerve wracking process that I wasn't expecting - I can't wait to feel the baby move and be much more reassured on a daily basis!

allslee · July 2015

This is precisely why I am not "allowed" to buy one. My hubby thinks it'll cause more stress than it's worth LOL. My OB said the same thing

dksport03 · July 2015

My OB told me not to buy one causes more stress. I countered her by explaining Im already stressed cuz i havent had an appt since june 1st and I want to make sure everything is alright. I see her today. Still thinking of buying one.

DDrexler2 · July 2015

FINALLY SUCCESS and loving it!

I tried again on Sunday to hear the heartbeat and was unsuccessful again. So tonight I decided to make sure I had a full belly and bladder before trying and was calm. I also gave the baby a little pep talk saying that mommy really wanted to hear your little heartbeat and to please cooperate for at least a little bit. Haha Found it basically instantly and the LO held still so I could listen for a good few minutes. HR was 148 BPM. Hubby isn't home, but can't wait to have him listen!! So excited!!

Such a good little baby - listening to mom already ha ha.

Calebsmom0318 · July 2015

DDrexler2 said:
FINALLY SUCCESS and loving it!

I tried again on Sunday to hear the heartbeat and was unsuccessful again. So tonight I decided to make sure I had a full belly and bladder before trying and was calm. I also gave the baby a little pep talk saying that mommy really wanted to hear your little heartbeat and to please cooperate for at least a little bit. Haha Found it basically instantly and the LO held still so I could listen for a good few minutes. HR was 148 BPM. Hubby isn't home, but can't wait to have him listen!! So excited!!

Such a good little baby - listening to mom already ha ha.

Glad you finally found it! She shockingly seems to stay in the general area too so now we have an idea more or less of where to listen. Hope that works for you on the next try as well!

Leah6120 · July 2015

I finally found it at 13w6d.. it was nowhere near where I expected. Try looking down near your pubic bone. That's where this baby seems to still be hanging out. A good bit below my "bump". Lol. I asked SO what the bump was then and he said "carbs"... haha.

l4rk · July 2015

I'm 14w today and my fetal doppler arrived yesterday. I've tried to use it yesterday and today for at least a half an hour both days with no luck. I'm going to take a break for a few days and try again later.

DDrexler2 · July 2015

l4rk - good luck, don't give up. What worked for me was to have a full bladder and belly so that way it pushed the baby upwards somewhat instead of hiding behind the pelvic bone. I also found it very low, almost right along the top of the hairline. I also noticed my left side tended to feel harder than my right side and sure enough that's where he/she was. I had to move very slowly and listen very carefully with the volume all the way up.

I was unsuccessful the first two times and very successful the third time. I tried it again last night and it was a very faint background noise this time and he/she moved away very quickly so I couldn't listen for more than just a couple seconds.

Were you able to find your own heartbeat? I can hear my own immediately down from belly button and then over near left ovary - th baby tends to be between the two for me.

Also use a lot of gel, it makes the Doppler work more smoothly with less crackling.

l4rk · July 2015

DDrexler2 said:
l4rk - good luck, don't give up. What worked for me was to have a full bladder and belly so that way it pushed the baby upwards somewhat instead of hiding behind the pelvic bone. I also found it very low, almost right along the top of the hairline. I also noticed my left side tended to feel harder than my right side and sure enough that's where he/she was. I had to move very slowly and listen very carefully with the volume all the way up.
I was unsuccessful the first two times and very successful the third time. I tried it again last night and it was a very faint background noise this time and he/she moved away very quickly so I couldn't listen for more than just a couple seconds.
Were you able to find your own heartbeat? I can hear my own immediately down from belly button and then over near left ovary - th baby tends to be between the two for me.
Also use a lot of gel, it makes the Doppler work more smoothly with less crackling.

Thanks! I ended up finding it last night, almost right away! :-D

BethP321 · July 2015

My OB also says she does not recommend dopplers. Only because women can confuse their own heartbeat for the baby's. I have never done this, but today at my appointment SHE did! She thought it was baby and said "that was easy" when my heart was actually beating really fast in the low 100s. After a few seconds she found baby and he/she was in the 140s. She also said it causes stress, but I actually find it CALMS my stress. When I travel I bring the doppler with me, or when I experience a really bad tummy pain, I freak out about the baby and have to listen to make sure everything is okay. If I couldn't find baby though.. well then we'd really be talking about stress....

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At Home Fetal Doppler - Anyone Using? I didn't have any luck... :(

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