Anyone know anyhting about dopplers?

[Aworryingtrend]

A lady I work with has very kindly offered to lend me her 'angel heart' doppler. I don't know much about them, are they easy to use? I'm only 15 weeks so I'm guessign I wouldn't hear anything til 20 weeks ish? She mentionned needing to use a gel, is there a special kind I should use?

Any info appreciated.

I 've got this one, it's very easy to use. You need ultrasound gel, which you can buy on ebay (I'm sure you can probably get it elsewhere, too). The angel doppler is very easy to use. Just stick headphones on, switch on, stick gel on belly then use the doppler to listen to baby. But, it's not as good as the ones the midwives use, so it can take a while to find the right sounds.

I don't use mine that much, as I think it makes me worry more.

I think 15 weeks might be early to hear using one of these, but I guessing other MNs might have other experiences.

Good luck :)

hi there

I have an angel sounds one and have used it from around 14 weeks with no problem at all.

You have to be patient and it takes a bit of searching - if the heartbeat sounds 'wooshy' it's because you're listening to your placenta! You should with time and practice be able to hear the galloping horses sounding heartbeat

I listen to my son most nights for a couple of minutes and it's nice hearing him swooshing around in there kicking up a storm (I'm now 27 weeks)

I bought ultrasound gel from amazon - it's cheap and easy to use. here is the one I bought

www.amazon.co.uk/Fetal-Doppler-Ultrasound-Gel-250ml/dp/B0018KC0PO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1335515449&sr=8-2

If you're a bit of a worrier I would recommend waiting to use it until after your 16 week midwife appointment when they may listen to it first - you'll be surprised how low the heartbeat is to begin with - mine was right near my pubic line!

Enjoy!

You don't need ultrasound gel. You can just use oil (Bio oil will do) as it needs liquid for he coupling. I just used bio oil for both DDs and it worked fine.

I bought my angel sounds Doppler on eBay for 13 quid. Heard baba's heartbeat at 9+1 :-)

I just use baby oil, tis fine.

I love it; find it really reassuring.

thanks all, can't wait to try it now! She's bringing it in on Monday.

Mine is great and got a hb when I first got it around 14 weeks. As the others said, initially the hb is very low down. I found listening to my heartbeat first and then when I found her hb it was noticeably quick and sounded differently. (I did initially find the placenta pulsing which is my slower than her heartbeat.) It was reassuring when I heard it again at my 16 week appt as it proved I was listening the right thing and in the right place.

Also now I am 25 weeks I use it less (because I can feel movements) but when I do, the naughty girl moves around loads so it is difficult to find it and keep it without chasing her with the probe!

Thanks everyone. Did you find that there was a best time of day to do it, ie when baby moved around less?

I use mine when I get up (and before a shower, so I can wash gel off), and Bump is still pretty still, so that I can find him in the same place (makes it easier)... it's takes a bit of practice to work out what's placenta noise and what's baby's heartbeat IMhO :)

I used mine (a Sonal B) from 16 weeks and have found the heartbeat every time, although it did sometimes take a few minutes in the earlier stages. I use aloe vera gel, and just rub it into my stomach as a moisturiser afterwards!

There is an excellent website at www.fetaldopplerfacts.org/facts/dopplers/fetal-heartbeat-doppler-sounds.php which has .wav files of what you will hear - really helpful for differentiating between your own heartbeat, placental sounds, and the baby. Your MW might be happy to explain the different noises too if you aren't sure.