Baby heartbeat monitor

[FRowlands]

Hi. I bought a heartbeat monitor (Lindam) to be able to listen to my baby's heartbeat at home. I've just been trying for ages to hear anything through it with no success. Should I be worried? Are these monitors much good? Starting to worry. I'm 20 weeks.

[Tangle]

Some people love them and some think they're the work of the devil.

One of the problems is that finding the baby's HB isn't always easy. IIRC with DD1 the MW sometimes struggled at over 30 weeks - babies can be elusive things, especially when they're so tiny. If you can't find a HB it doesn't mean there's anything wrong at all, but it can be very worrying.

Conversely, women might have a niggling worry, use a home doppler and find a HB so do nothing because they think that means everything is all right - which isn't necessarily true.

IF you can use it as more of a toy than a tool to rely on and IF you can trust yourself not to get stressed if you can't find the HB one day and IF you can trust yourself to keep your usage moderate then I don't know of any proven harm caused by them. Personally I haven't had one and I don't want one as I don't trust myself to be able to stick to those caveats!

However, having tried it and failed to find a HB, I'd be very inclined to get on the phone to the maternity unit and ask for their advice. If you're worried, whatever the cause, you should always call/see your HCP's to make sure there isn't a problem.

[PhyllisDiller]

Don?t worry!! Midwifes find the heart beat in a moment because they do it all day every day. They make it look so easy.

I went to see a GP the other day and she hadn?t used the machine for a while and took ages to find the heart beat. The baby was just fine.

You also need to make sure you find the heartbeat and not the ?placental whooshing noise?.

TBH, and I know you have bought it now but I would hide it at the back of the cupboard and relax. Rely on your natural instincts and soon enough you will start to feel flutters, they will probably start to come at around the same time every day and make you feel more reassured.

Even now (3rd baby, 30 odd weeks) I will feel like I need some reassurance and put my feet up for a bit to bring on some kicking (usually after too much house work).

Good luck....and feet up!

[FRowlands]

Thanks both. Funnily enough, after prodding my bump trying to find the HB baby started fluttering!! Works wonders for my state of mind!!

[PacificDogwood]

FWIW, I think they are the Work of the Devil.

I look for fetal HB as part of my job and I sweat every single time even though I am experienced, I know where and how to look for it etc etc.

The anxiety generated when you cannot find a HB yourself is just not worth it. I stayed well clear of them in my own pregnancies.

Prod your bump, you can try an ice cube or torch as well. If you're worried, contact your MW.