Heart rate dipping on doppler?

[Smithy007]

Hey everyone,

I'm 21+4 and this is probably just me being overly anxious as usual, but a few hours ago I decided to take a listen to the baby's heart with my AngelSounds doppler, and the heart rate slowed almost to the same speed as my own for a few seconds or so, before going back up to it's normal speed.

This has happened maybe 4-5 times when I've listened in (I only listen every now and then, not daily). I had the same doppler throughout my last pregnancy and never heard this happen, ever.

I'm feeling a bit anxious about it, does anyone have any info on why this happens or whether it's normal?

This is really why it isn't the best idea for untrained people to use a doppler. You have no idea what is worrying, and what isn't. There is a whole thread about it at the moment with a midwife making that comment. So sorry you are worried.

I'd suggest calling your midwife and asking for advice.

Thread here

Thank you, I should really stay away from the doppler and everything else. I'll mention it to my midwife on my next app.

If you are worried now, then call her. They always say they'd rather help with a false alarm than have you worry.

Agree that if you're worried it's best to call the midwife now rather than waiting until the next appointment.

Thanks guys. Unfortunately my midwife isn't available, so I'll make a GP appointment. I'm not hugely worried as Dr. Google (eek!), says that these fetal decelerations are normal - so long as they're only for a few seconds - and that it can be a result of the baby grabbing the cord etc.

I had my anatomy scan last week and all was well with the heart, she did the whole colour doppler check too. I guess I was just wondering whether anyone had the same experience. I think my mind is on overdrive with this pregnancy, my anxiety seems to be through the roof due to issues I've had in the past.

I'm going to have some cake and try and relax as best I can!

I was going to say it's probably baby grabbing the cord! All four of mine have done this, three are here and full of beans, and the fourth is still cooking. But it doesn't seem to do any long term harm.

A fetal medicine professor told me once they're far more worried over fast heartbeats than slow or even irregular ones. If you'd heard DS's heartbeat at 18 weeks (so irregular and slow for hours on end I was amazed he was alive) you'd never believe it, but he's totally a typical toddler now with no obvious effects. The explanation for that was a premature heart with electrical wotsits misfiring and completely and utterly normal, much to my surprise.

So now I take whatever I hear on the doppler with a pinch of salt, especially as reduced movement is a far better indicator of an issue than the heartbeat, which tends to fail last. That's why people understandably advise against dopplers, but I am of the belief that if you've educated yourself on all the various caveats and promise yourself not to panic, then they're great in the first trimester and early second trimester until you can feel regular movement. I don't use mine after about 20 weeks now as I am sure I will hear something that will worry me despite knowing there are probably benign explanations!

But as always, if you're worried, get medical advice which I see you are doing

I think if you have heard something 'abnormal' you would be best to get checked out sooner rather than later?

Get checked over and then throw that doppler in the bin - I understand your point about the first and early 2nd trimesters but to be honest at that stage if something goes wrong there's not a lot that can be done anyway. For all you know the baby could have moved away from the doppler and you could have tuned in to yourself for a bit.

@Smithy007 hi, I know this was a long time ago now but I am currently going through the same thing and wondered how everything went for your pregnancy?