Home Fetal Doppler - Yay or Nay?

byrneme · February 2017

Okay - I'm really struggling with this length between appointments of a month. After going through IF I think we are all used to seeing our docs more frequently. At this point in my pregnancy, where I'm feeling pretty good it's really starting to drive me crazy wondering if all is okay. That being said, I'm nervous if I get a home doppler and CAN'T find the heart beat I'll be worse off than I am now. What is everyone's experience/opinions? I'm 16w today if that sways anything.

tiffanyw1783 · February 2017

I bought one last week. I'm 10w6d today and I was able to find at least one of my twins heart beats twice now. I'm scared to try too often. At 16w I would think you should be able to find it. My heart rate is always high (like 110-115) even at rest and I could definitely tell the difference b/w mine and theirs.

vssbrm · February 2017

We got one for the reasons you expressed - and we had a few complications - itcreally helped to ease my anxiety. Just don't use it too often. I limited myself to once a week.

AandDM2014 · February 2017

I bought one during my last pregnancy but never got to use it. This time around it definitely helped ease my worries. I did limit myself to once a week and I made sure I only listened for about 10 seconds before moving on to the next baby.

wifeinraleigh28 · February 2017

It helped ease my anxieties too. I bought one at around 16/17 weeks. It wasn't hard to find the heart beat. You just need to be patient if it takes awhile. Also, if the baby is moving the heart beat is much harder to find. But you will learn your body and your baby and I think you'll be just fine

Isthisthereallife · February 2017

We bought one at 8.5w and having been using it since. My DH is really good at finding the heartbeat quickly. We use it often but only listen for a few seconds and then put it away. After a few scares and IF, it has really helped ease my anxiety. Just knowing that we have the option if we want it is a huge relief.

tvh1982 · February 2017

I borrowed one from a friend whom had several miscarriage. I lived in Norway at the time and there you don't get to hear the heartbeat before 20 weeks.
I was 'lucky' I was as ill as I was, to keep me motivated every time I was in the hospital they showed me quick my LO. Otherwise it would be at 12 weeks, 20 weeks and that's it.
I used the dobbler a few short times if I got a panic attack or to let my family listen. I could count the use on two hands.
I was too scared to use it as I was told the reason in Scandinavia you don't hear the heartbeat that often is due to dobblers warming up tissue. Which it does if you use it long you'll feel it warming your skin.

babylonghorn16 · February 2017

I thought about using one, but ultimately decided against it for the reasons you expressed - thought it would give me more anxiety. Also, I've heard mixed opinions on adverse effects. Sounds like a lot of people use them though, so go for it if it will ease your worries.

Note: by week 20 or so (may have been a little later... can't remember) I was feeling so much movement that I didn't feel a desire to have one at all.

byrneme · February 2017

Thanks, everyone! Even if this gets me through the next 3 weeks I think it will be worth the money! Now - what model did you all get? I know @wifeinraleigh28 got the Sonoline B and, based on some quick searches, it looks like the reviews are fantastic - but I'm open!!

AandDM2014 · February 2017

@byrneme I too have the Sonoline B. It works great, though I don't ever use it for the rate it shows on the screen, I just use it to listen.

vssbrm · February 2017

Sonoline B, and as the pp mentioned, once you start feeling the baby love there is not as much reason to use it, I only used it when It seemed like I hadn't let him move often enough after about 26 weeks - I used it less than a handful of times after that.

wifeinraleigh28 · February 2017

Even though I'm feeling a lot of movement now, there are some days that are quieter than others and sometimes it's nice to bust out the doppler for a quick little listen. But I don't use it much anymore because the movement is so reassuring! I'm glad I bought the doppler though, it has definitely helped me cope with irrational anxieties over the last few months!

byrneme · February 2017

Thanks everyone! I placed an order for the Sonoline B yesterday and, surprisingly, I got a UPS notification that it will arrive today. FX I don't have any issues tonight - the goal is to CALM the irrational fears

babylonghorn16 · February 2017

Good luck tonight, @byrneme ! I'm sure all will be perfect!

wifeinraleigh28 · February 2017

Exciting @byrneme! Let us know how it goes!

byrneme · February 2017

Best $40 peace of mind I could have ever asked for. Found the heartbeat pretty much immediately

wifeinraleigh28 · February 2017

Thought you would @byrneme! Such a fun little toy

byrneme · February 2017

It is! How do I know if I found the baby's heartbeat vs. the placenta though? Thoughts??

Isthisthereallife · February 2017

@byrneme I have found the the placenta makes a "wooshing" noise. Once you find the wooshing, and your own heartbeat in the same area, baby is close by. It should be pretty distinguishable as babys heartbeat is the fast beat. Ours is still pretty faint but you're further along than me so not sure if yours would be as quiet.

byrneme · February 2017

Thanks! I found a YouTube video that distinguished the three so I'm going to try again tonight - pretty sure what I found so quickly was the placenta. I know that hearing that is at least a good sign!

AandDM2014 · February 2017

@byrneme The placenta will beat as fast as your heart, which is much slower than babys heart. And I agree with PP that it is more of a wooshing than the heart.

byrneme · February 2017

Now that I know there is a difference I can tell it! Not as easy to find but still found it before any sort of panic set in. Thanks all! This thing is pretty cool. And glad I love it bc the dog ate the box while I was upstairs using it!

omarismyhomeboy · February 2017

I'm only 10w4d and I caved and bought one even though I promised I would wait! I tried to listen and pretty sure i heard the placenta, but not heartbeat. But I am not freaking out because I realize I have NO idea what I am doing. Maybe some day soon!

latershrader · February 2017

@omarismyhomeboy I'm exactly 10w right now and I can't find it either. Still hopeful that I'll find it in a few days! Good luck in your search! LOL!

byrneme · February 2017

The time will come @omarismyhomeboy and @hopetobeashraderfam ! I'm glad you are not freaked out by that though - I think I would have been which was why I waited. Who am I kidding? I know I would have been freaked out! I am trying to avoid using it more than 1-2x a week and yesterday I struggled to find the heart beat but didn't freak out so I consider that to be a win! I know the LO in there is extra squirmy and bouncing all over the place so the few seconds I did hear was plenty. I HIGHLY recommend this YouTube video - she does a great job of 'decoding' placenta vs. heart beat.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m36p_9pIeaE 

Isthisthereallife · February 2017

I agree on the Youtube videos! There are a lot of good ones and that's how DH and I figured it out. Now he's a pro at it and we find the HB instantly! Good luck ladies! LO is in there - just takes a little time to figure it out.

omarismyhomeboy · February 2017

Thanks for the video @byrneme. Perseverance paid off! I FINALLY found it after like 8 tries of searching. How magical! I am putting the machine away now because Im worried I will be addicted and overuse it!

latershrader · February 2017

Yay @omarismyhomeboy!! So glad you found it.

I have good news about the doppler too. Last night, after trying for about 10 min, I switched where I was looking and while DH was right beside me we heard baby's HB!! After weeks of not being able to find it...it really is magical!

Home Fetal Doppler - Yay or Nay?

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