Doppler and Anxiety

mkatefin303 · July 2015

Hi Ladies,

Ran a quick search and didn't find anything exactly on point, but I am sorry if this is at all repetitive.

I struggle with anxiety, and (like many women here, I know) the 4 weeks between appointments are sooooo long to wait for reassurance that all is well.

I'm considering getting an at-home Doppler, but I'm concerned it might exacerbate my anxiety rather than soothe it ("what if I can't find the heartbeat??", etc)

For anyone who is anxious and has bought a Doppler - did it help you feel better or stress you out more?

Thanks so much for any thoughts!

peppercorn16 · July 2015

Mine is currently my saving grace. At 14+ weeks they are pretty easy to find, and even just hearing it for a second brings me peace of mind on worrisome days. That being said, I would do lots of research/read the pamphlet with the doppler/watch YouTube videos BEFORE you use it so you can make sure you're doing it in the right spot and doing it correctly. Otherwise it'll be meltdown central. If it sounds like I am talking from experience, I AM!

Leah6120 · July 2015

It depends... it can do both! I'm 14 weeks and found my baby's hb for the first time this week. It helped a ton that I had an u/s last week so I had an idea where it's hanging out. Now that I find it easily I love that few minutes of connecting with my baby. Hubby loves it too. But you just have to go into it relaxed and understanding that not finding it is NOT a sign that there isn't one. Or wait until after a checkup so you already feel good about it. If you don't think you can control your anxiety if you can't find it don't put yourself throught that.

arose3eb · July 2015

I never got an at-home Doppler, but I did record the hb from my midwife appt a few weeks ago. Every couple of days I listen to it and I find that very reassuring. I think if I got one of those machines at home I'd go nuts!

designer303 · July 2015

Team Doppler! It's the only thing keeping me sane with all this bleeding (SCH). I agree you have to go in knowing you might not find it right away, but I consider it the best 40 bucks I have spent in awhile. Got the sononline B based on friends recommendation and I am happy with it.

Buehler99 · July 2015

It's both. There are days I find it easily, and have a Cheshire grin, then there are days I can't find it and panic. It is reassuring tho, on those days, b/c I can hear the little peanut moving around - he/she has to have a HB to move around!! Those big "swoosh!" Sounds are reassuring! I just try not to do it too often, only like 2-3 times a week.

ChristinaAnneW · July 2015

I have anxiety about stuff and my husband and mom thought it might be too much for me if I couldn't find it (I wanted one around 12 weeks when the HB is hard to find.) some days I wish I had just bought it though! I wouldn't mind a listen right now! I think having one could go both ways, relief and anxiety depending what you hear that day.

SummerOH · July 2015

Definitely pro-doppler. I bled at 16 weeks with DS and couldn't feel movement until 20ish weeks due to an anterior placenta. I used the dopper daily (ok, sometimes twice daily!) and it was the only thing that kept me sane. I also have anxiety and panic disorder, so I feel ya. At this stage, it's not hard at all to find the heartbeat. It may take a minute or two to find sometimes, but it's easy to hear. You also get the hang of what level on your abdomen the baby is at, so then it's really just about figuring out if it's in the sides or middle at the time. I've been using my regularly now for 2 weeks. I've never once not been able to find it fairly quickly with either pregnancy.

Blueyedsky · July 2015

Helped me with my anxiety, especially before I had an ultrasound and heard the heartbeat. The WILL be a time when you don't find it for some reason! You have to know that and be ok with it, otherwise you are going to majorly freak out when it happens.

emililyha · July 2015

I have anxiety as well. My husband said it would cause more worry than harm but I had a mindset of "just because I can't find it doesn't mean it isn't there". So I got it anyway. And now he totally loves it. I spoke to my doctor about it, too, because she knows my history of anxiety and she offered to have me bring it in so she could give me tips like how hard to push, how much gel to use, how to find the top of my uterus so I would know where to look, and what not. I highly recommend talking to your doc if you think they might be on board. I use mine only when I am feeling anxious and it helps me calm down.

ellaxo1 · July 2015

I bought one for the same reason but haven't been able to find the heartbeat yet, could be because I am plus size. I tried to find my own heartbeat and it took forever so I wasn't too worried. I didn't spend a lot of money on it, but I am going to try again in a few weeks to see if it works. The fact that it took a long time to find my own beat made me feel a lot better about not finding it with the Doppler. I'd say get it but don't fully rely on it.

roziek · July 2015

I have anxiety too and after going through some hurdles with IVF I got pregnant first try

I bought a Doppler at 10 weeks, knowing that it may be too soon to hear the heartbeat but my hubby and I have been lucky to have heard it every time we've tried. I'll be 16 weeks Monday and for us it's been great and it's so calming and exciting to hear the heartbeat. I know there may be times that we don't hear it but as long as you don't have any symptoms of bleeding or a lot of pain I don't think there's anything to worry about. I'm no doctor but that's my advice and from personal experience...if I were you I'd get one. It was the best $25 I spent on Amazon

if you get one...good luck!

l4rk · July 2015

My BFF told me not to get a doppler because she thought I'd freak out if I didn't find the HB. I didn't find it for the first couple days and I didn't freak out, per se, but I definitely became a bit obsessed. Like, I'd be eating dinner or watching TV or at the Minions movie and my mind would drift back to wanting to try the doppler again. So I wasn't panicking, but it was kind of dominating my thoughts.

But now that I HAVE found the HB, I can easily go at least a couple days without using it. And when I do, I just listen to the HB for about 30 seconds, and then I'm good. ("Thanks for letting me listen, I'll leave you alone now!")

I think if you can understand that not hearing a HB doesn't mean the worse, and probably just means you don't know where to look yet, then go for it. But you know yourself best, plus remember we are hormonal and crazy. So if you will go to that dark place if you can't find it, then don't do it to yourself.

cameronreed · July 2015

Just got mine in a couple days ago and I love it!!

cameronreed · July 2015

Case in point... I just got the urge to go listen to the heart beat after reading this thread. Couldn't find the heart beat as fast as I usually do and I had a mini heart attack! Baby usually sits a little to the right and he/she was hiding to the left. I'm definitely still pro-Doppler, though. I just teared up a little when I finally found the heart beat.

ChrissyD1203 · July 2015

I didn't get a Doppler---but for the opposite of reasons mentioned actually ---- the argument against them that I found most compelling is that sometimes when a person would ordinarily call the doctor they just use the Doppler instead, hear the heartbeat and don't follow up on their concerns.

JuneyCleaves · July 2015

Ehhh. I have one. I can't find the hb and I'm 14wks. My doc found it no problem at just before 12 weeks.
Needless to say, I'm nervous, and have scheduled an appointment for this week because I simply can't wait until the 20th of next month to ease my mind.

BethP321 · July 2015

It's very helpful for me. I've never not been able to find the HB so I wouldn't know if it causes bad stress for me. For others, I can see why they wouldn't like them. I find the HB like the day before my next appointment so when the doctor looks for it, I know it's going to be there.

mkatefin303 · July 2015

Thanks everyone! I still need to think about whether having one would make me a little obsessive but I understand the pros and cons a lot better!

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