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

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Baby heartbeat

15 replies

FirstTimeMum2b · 09/12/2011 15:15

Really happy my rented doppler just arrived and after a bit of trying I found the little ones heartbeat, this has really helped reduce some of my worries as I have been terrified that something was wrong/baby wasn't really there. So i decided to rent one as I've had problems getting appointments with MW (i've had repeated infections since conception that needed treatment, usually over the phone from duty doc in the end) and found the one who did my booking appointment quite unhelpful. I'm 14+6

My DP thinks this is a bit excessive but is happy to go along with it if it helps manage my 'mood swings and constant worry'. Which it does as i can now check whenever i want.

What does everyone else think is it a bit OTT and am I becoming neurotic or is it OK and am I normal??

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Flisspaps · 09/12/2011 15:38

I think renting or buying a doppler is OTT.

Midwives in many areas won't look for a heartbeat before 20-odd weeks with one as they can be notoriously difficult to find - what kind of panic will you be in if you can't find the heartbeat next time you try (even if everything is absolutely fine?)

Crosshair · 09/12/2011 15:56

Took my mw a good 2 minutes to find the hb at 16 weeks and it was only for a few seconds till he moved out the way. Buying/renting one seemed rather pointless to me.

If it makes you happy, enjoy it.

If you get worried later on due to lack of movements or anything ring up your mw rather then thinking I have a hb so all is fine.

Flisspaps · 09/12/2011 16:06

Absolutely agree with Crosshair's advice to contact the MW if there is anything out of the ordinary in the future, rather than relying on your home doppler.

If getting hold of your own MW is hard and you have concerns then there should be other numbers you can call in your pregnancy notes.

kiki22 · 09/12/2011 16:08

I thought about one but after taking to MW and asking round i decided not to get it, there great when they work but think you could become a bit ocd with it and if babys hiding which mine does a lot and you can't find it it would be really scary.

If your a worrier it could just make you worse it would make me worse.

VivaLeBeaver · 09/12/2011 16:12

Sorry but I think its OTT. It tells you the baby is alive and nothing more, it doesn't tell you if baby is well. Midwives don't recommend them as they can lead women into a false sense of security. If they're worried about movements, etc rather than contact the hospital or a midwife they have a listen in, find the FH and think everything is fine when it could actually be very not fine.

princesss · 09/12/2011 16:16

my hospital (and i would like to think every hospital) has a midwife on call on the phone,very quick and easy to speak to. i called last week as had a lot of pain which i thought was round ligament but i thought was a bit early as i was only 10 weeks but she reassured me quickly that things happen early with dc2. they are used to women calling all the time about the smallest of things.

surely calling a midwife if you have any concerns about anything is the best course of action as you could still find a heartbeat but there could still be an underlying problem which you wouldnt be able to diagnose yourself.

Original poster
FirstTimeMum2b · 09/12/2011 16:18

thanks for the responses but it is really not that easy to see or speak to a midwife. to get an appointment there is always a wait of over a week and to speak to one is just as difficult as the local birthing centre has closed due to staff shortages and you have to leave a message and wait for a call back which usually doesn't happen until the next day.

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VivaLeBeaver · 09/12/2011 16:21

I think the lack of being able to get hold of a midwife is because you're only 14+6. Where I work once you turn 20 weeks you get given a secret hotline phone number where you can speak to a m/w 24/7 who if she thinks you need seeing will tell you to come in straight away.

At 14+6 there isn't really anything pregnancy related that would need you to be seen that urgently by a midwife.

VivaLeBeaver · 09/12/2011 16:22

Meant to say I would hope you find this is the case for you. There must be something. If you feel unwell, bad headaches, etc or baby isn't moving when you're 30 weeks, whenever then you need seeing that day not waiting a week.

BelleRomford74 · 09/12/2011 17:51

I am openly neurotic due to previous traumatic pregnancy, dd2 poorly from birth & passing before her 2nd birthday.... I have been an emotional wreck all pregnancy & won't stop worrying until Bubba is safely in my arms..(9 weeks to go!!) I bought a doppler but just use it to make me smile, I would never rely on it to ease any worries of lack of movement etc.. I would always call my midwife. My dd1 who is 9 loves listening too! Each to their own is what I say!!

puzzletree · 09/12/2011 18:14

I haven't used one but I don't see why it's a bad idea to keep a check on your baby at this stage if you're a worrier, better than stressing, just for until you start to feel regular movements.

Original poster
FirstTimeMum2b · 09/12/2011 18:22

BelleRomford 74 sorry to hear about you sad loss. I think my previous mc has made me more anxious. I am well aware that a doppler cant diagnose anything but like you say it does make me smile and until i can feel movement and have a bit more contact with mw it does help. I know a lot of my worries are nothing but hearing a tiny beat is kinda nice.

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buonasera · 09/12/2011 18:32

If it makes you feel better I say good on you - I've had recurrent miscarriage and between scans I have little faith that things are going well so I have a lot of sympathy for you wanting to just have some sign each day that it's not all gone catastrophically wrong. Like other posters though, would say don't let it stop you chasing things up with a healthcare professional if you have any symptoms you think are dodgy.

What viva said is interesting - I'm 17 weeks and maybe it's just because I have a nice midwife, or maybe because I'm having twins, but mine told me to go to A&E if I had any issues. I went 2 weeks ago with non-crampy dull abdominal pain that I knew might just be stretching, and they took me seriously, checked me out for infections etc and said to have a low threshold for coming back in if I had any sort of different pain or dodgy symptoms. So maybe try A&E for any issues?

helgaw99 · 09/12/2011 18:49

I bought one when I was 15 weeks. I lived been able to listen the little ones heart beat- it was reassuring and helped me convince myself there was something in there during the long wait after the 12 week scan and when movements start.

Am now 26 weeks and haven't used it much recently as movements are the most reassuring thing! Was nice for my DH to listen to all the movements before he could feel the kicking though.

phlossie · 09/12/2011 19:51

I bought a listening thing at about 18wks so that my children could get involved (by that I mean get their heads round the idea that there was a baby). It was crap. I'm now 31 weeks and I have never clearly heard the heartbeat. Luckily I understand that it's the equipment - baby moves loads, pregnancy's going smoothly - otherwise it would freak me out. (also luckily it only cost a fiver on ebay).

What I'm saying, is that these dopplers can cause more anxiety. Conversely, it could make you not go and seek professional help if there's a problem because it gives you false reassurance - movements, well-being etc are just as much of an indicator as heartbeat.

So sad, Belleromford - best wishes to you xx

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