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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

Anyone used a doppler at home?

31 replies

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 31/03/2011 15:57

Is it worth it? Are they reliable? Or do they make you panic if you can't find the hb?

I have had previous mcs and also have a bi-cornuate, retroverted, retroflex uterus and PCOS. This led me to have a year of infertility and amennorhea, we were referred for fertility treatment but found out I was pregnant the week before the appointment :)

Really chuffed obviously but so so scared to let myself believe this may work out. I am now 13+5. Suffering HG and on meds for the awful sickness.

All was fine at the 12 week scan but now I find myself in a state of limbo. Nothing is going to happen until my 20week scan. I won't know if things are ok. It's too early for movements and although I have a bump already it is not significant enough to notice growth. I am at that in between stage of being pregnant but am I really?

I'm being totally psychotic and am therefore considering getting a doppler. I know there are ones you can buy and also ones to hire but is it to early for me to hear the hb?

Please tell me your positive doppler experiences and tell me to stop being crazy. [groin]

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Original poster

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 31/03/2011 15:58

Lol at groin obviously!

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bumpcarrier · 31/03/2011 16:03

I have one - Angel sounds fetal doppler - they are about £20 of Amazon and you can buy the gel. I found it really reassuring and used it every week up to about 20 wks (now 25 + 5 wks) until I could feel the baby. It does take a while to find the heartbeat though!

SavannahRose · 31/03/2011 16:04

I suffered a MC in May last year but am now currently 29 weeks :)

I used a doppler at home the best ones are Angel Sounds. Was amazing. Hooked it up to my surround sound and listened!!!
Further on in the preg you will be able to hear them kicking too aswel as the HB.

I would DEFO say they are worth and puts your mind at rest.
Had no problem finding the heartbeat with the Angel Sounds even at 13 weeks.

Original poster

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 31/03/2011 16:10

Thank you :)

I saw the angel sounds one on Amazon, have had my mouse hovering over it but still unsure as the negative reviews make me ponder how well it is made and if they actually work. I know the negative reviews are tiny in comparison to the positive ones but I'm a sucker for reading the 1* reviews and changing my mind.

Have looked at the ones that you can hire as they look a bit more like the ones MWs use. But still undecided.

Can't just rock up at the MWs office and ask her to stick it on me for a min can I?!

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BorgLady · 31/03/2011 16:12

I have a doppler, used it both pregnancies at around the same stage. Mine was the Angelsounds one as well, I think it's excellent for £20 and you can hook it up to your computer and make a recording of baby's heartbeat which is so precious. You can then email/Facebook/Twitter it and be a proper pregnancy bore!

It was a bit difficult finding hb in the early stages and sometimes I had to give up, but I don't think it increased my paranoia when I couldn't. Definitely get one that needs jelly, they are much better and remember that baby is pretty low down. Sometimes I have to sweep it right over my pelvic bone to hear baby at 18wks.

When they are bigger, you can hear kicks and movements and it's magical. Hearing your little one in their own world like that is a real bonding process.

If you're unsure how much you'll use it, or whether it will just make you crazy when you can't find baby, they do a month's hire for a tenner on ebay. Might be worth it to tide you over til the bit where you can feel them all the time.

Original poster

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 31/03/2011 16:21

Yes I do think it is just for these next couple of months until it is kicking me. Then I will obviously be able to keep track of things through that.

I have a friend who had one and has just given birth so will see if I could borrow that until I decide :)

Thank you all for the reassurances that I am not the only loon about these parts

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nancy10 · 31/03/2011 16:35

I bought the angel sounds one too when I was 14 weeks. It took a while to find the heartbeat but I wasn't really sure where the baby was. After a few uses it was fine and i can't imagine going through pregnancy now without one. I'm 35 weeks now and I don't use it as much but every now and then when the baby is quiet I use it for reassurance. Would definatley recommend one!

Original poster

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 31/03/2011 16:41

I just know if I get one I will have it on for hours on end!

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highheelsandequations · 31/03/2011 16:53

I also have the angelsounds and bought from amazon. Have been able to pick up heartbeat from 14 weeks, was actually easier earlier as LO didn't move about and hide so much. Was also lovely to be able to record heartbeat and send to family as they don't live near. Don't use it so much now I'm feeling movement but lovely to be able to have the reassurance if I haven't felt LO move for a while or am being paranoid, which happens a lot! Would say it's definitely worth the 20 quid.

Nicky7611 · 31/03/2011 16:55

Dont forget you get to hear the baby's hearbeat at your 16 week check up with your mw.

Im sure everything is fine. We all worry, I watched OBEM on monday and cried my eyes out worrying about if something goes wrong and baby needs to be kep in hospital lol

Original poster

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 31/03/2011 16:58

I know, I watched it every week and ended up in tears every time. I also watched something on more4 the other day where they performed an operation on 22week twin pregnancy in the womb. I was and blubbing all over the place!

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Original poster

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 01/04/2011 10:45

I have taken the leap and ordered one :)

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Vassia · 01/04/2011 12:34

My husband bought me one around the 24 week mark, its definitely reassuring when the baby is having a quiet day. And I agree about the limbo period, after my 12 week scan I felt odd rather than pregnant.

But what I would say is try to to use it too frequently. Apparently the babies don't like the soundwaves or something, so listening for prolonged periods isn't recommended. I don't know if it does them any damage, but I would be cautious not to overuse it. When the baby is bigger it's obviously a lot easier and quicker to find the hb. Mine has been in the same position since the 20 week scan so it's pretty easy to find.

JazzAnnNonMouse · 01/04/2011 13:28

I have an angel sounds one from amazon, it sometimes takes a while to find the heartbeat but once you get it it's magical :)
The first time I found it I was a bit disconcerted as it seemed to be in my pubes...LOL
Now I'm finding it a little higher up, it's really lovely to be able to hear it but it's not as clear as the m/w's (I'm sure hers was much more expensive!!)

Original poster

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 01/04/2011 14:20

Thanks Jazz, I will be sure to use it quite low down. Do you have to press quite firmly? Full bladder helpful?

I'm really nervous I'm not going to be able to find it and I will worry myself even more.

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Bratfink · 01/04/2011 14:31

Are they ultrasound? I'd be interested to know more about how they work. I mean I assume they're safe as they're sold on amazon etc but I recall being told that it wasn't ideal to overuse ultrasound. Obv you've had a difficult time OP so I understand your anxiety and really don't want to add to that. Am going to have a google and see what I find

ShowOfHands · 01/04/2011 14:39

I have one. I only ever used it once a week or so up until the point of the baby moving, having had a couple of scares and a previous miscarriage. Could hear the hb from 11 weeks and it got easier as time went on. From 14 weeks is it was much easier to find.

They are fine IF:

You accept that sometimes you can't find the hb, the baby can hide. When this happens you don't panic, you put the doppler down and walk away for a while.

It can take a while to find, often they're MUCH lower down than you'd think (right in the hairline).

It is absolutely no substitute for antenatal care. If your baby goes quiet suddenly, do not rely on a home doppler for reassurance. Always seek proper medical help.

They are reassuring if used correctly.

JazzAnnNonMouse · 01/04/2011 14:44

Differing pressure each time I've found actually - not very helpful I know!
Can't tell with the bladder, mine always seems full at the moment - sorry

I'm not sure how they work, it does say on the packaging to not use for more than a few minutes a day but I should think that they are being on the over cautious side much like most things say consult a GP before use if pregnant.
I wouldn't think that they could do harm if they're able to manufacture and sell them in shops and online - I chose to get mine online because it was cheaper but I doubt that there would be and differences.

If you're over 16/17 weeks then I would've thought he/she would be higher than pubic area, mine is just now :)
It was quite amusing at 14/15 weeks to think I was hearing my baby through my pubes! haha

JazzAnnNonMouse · 01/04/2011 14:45

*any

namechangecentral · 01/04/2011 14:53

I hired one from ebay. It could takr ages to find the hb sometimes so don't panic. Sometimes I couldn't find the hb at all, but actually I didn't panic, even though I thought I would

Original poster

ALovelyBunchOfCoconuts · 01/04/2011 15:25

I am fully prepared to not be able to find it so I think I will be fine. I have read that the baby doesn't like the soundwaves so will use it on low volume and I will restrict myself to once or twice a week only. And it is really just to use in this limbo stage between now and the next scan, when I should start to feel some proper movements.

I am 14 weeks tomorrow, so will aim for low down :)

SOH - you always give great advice on these boards. Either your are a HCP or just an expert

Thank you all.

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marigoldilocks · 01/04/2011 16:23

I wouldnt bother, it really is unnecessary. I hadnt heard about them until my 16 week appointment and then the GP said that she wasnt meant to use it for very long as they are not good for the developing brain. She said something about soundwaves???

Also the 2 times GPs has used them on me it has taken them awhile to find it themselves so I imagine it must be difficult for people not trained to use them. If you use it incorrectly and cant find any heartbeat you will worry.

Seems too unnecessary IMO. Just wait until your routine antenatal checks and listen then.

ShowOfHands · 01/04/2011 16:40

It's not unnecessary when you've already lost a baby and had a problematic pregnancy. As I said, if you are aware of everything I said then they can provide enormous reassurance. I used one sporadically up until I felt movement at 17 weeks and never used it for more than a couple of minutes.

ShowOfHands · 01/04/2011 16:41

ALovelyBunch, you're very kind. I am neither a HCP nor an expert (I'm a librarian actually so good at sshing and looking stern). I'm a jack of all trades. Master of, er, gingerbread and WWII defence structures.

vmcd28 · 01/04/2011 16:48

Marigold, I get what you're saying but I have to disagree - it is absolutely not unnecessary if it reassures you and takes away anxiety

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