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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Doppler good or bad??

15 replies

LouLou030783 · 05/12/2015 09:35

Just looking for people's experiences? Was thinking of getting one but unsure if it would lead to unnecessary worry x

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NoManJan · 05/12/2015 09:36

I wouldn't. They cause so much worry.

Runningupthathill82 · 05/12/2015 09:39

Don't buy one. Unless you are a trained medical professional and only plan on using it after around 20 weeks.

The amount of unnecessary worry caused by these things when people can't find a heartbeat makes me honestly think they should be banned.

And on the flip side, people could be falsely reassured if they pick up what they think is the baby's heartbeat after not having any movement.

Don't do it, OP.

AlfieandAnnieRose · 05/12/2015 09:42

Hi I have just bought one and I found it really easy to use and lovely for partner and my mum to hear the heartbeat.
However I am 19 weeks, I wanted to get one much earlier but I held off. How many weeks pg are you?
I went on YouTube to watch a video of a lady using the Doppler I got, so it can show how you to differentiate between the sound of placenta, your own heartbeat and baby's. if you do get one make sure you get one with the heartbeat reading as that also helps to tell if it's baby or not.

Original poster

LouLou030783 · 05/12/2015 10:23

I'm only 11 weeks but wasn't gonna get one now X was only thinking about it due to fact I don't have a midwife app again until I'm 22 weeks because I've got to see consultant should be at 14 but due to Xmas etc it's not until I'm 16 weeks then scan is 20 weeks so not gonna be doing heartbeat thing with midwife until week 22 xx

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Cnmorgan13 · 05/12/2015 10:39

I got one from Amazon, I like using it occasionally. Although I have heard that you could be happily listening to your placenta for weeks lol! I'm 27 weeks now I had it around the 10/11 weeks

TinyMonkey · 05/12/2015 10:44

I really don't understand this obsession with hearing the hb every five mins (and I speak as someone who has heard the dreaded 'I'm sorry there's no heartbeat at a scan'). Hearing a hb via a Doppler at home doesn't guarantee your baby is ok, and if you can't find it (bearing in mind you're not medically trained) what are you going to do? Scare yourself stupid and clog up the day unit.

To people who say it helped them 'bond' with their baby, how do you know you wouldn't have 'bonded' with your baby anyway? The fact that you're growing it inside you means you're pretty close, and the bonding that happens once the baby is born is far more important.

Save your money.

MadgeMak · 05/12/2015 10:49

Hearing the heartbeat is false reassurance anyway. If there was a problem with the baby, by the time it gets to the point of not hearing the heartbeat then it's too late. Much better to monitor movements as this is a much more reliable indicator of possible issues, and crucially you are much more likely to seek medical help in time.

comeagainforbigfudge · 05/12/2015 11:06

Op I was the same this time last year with consultant/midwife appointments.

All my consultant appointments consisted of seeing a mw first, then the consultant.

And in fact, only the consultant used doppler to check heartbeat at the first appointment.

Paperblank · 05/12/2015 15:14

I was in hospital last weekend and closely monitored on a 4 hourly basis.

On two occasions it took at least 10 minutes to locate the baby's heartbeat. I'm 27 weeks tomorrow but I have a wriggler who can just about still hide away.

I can only go by my own experience but even the experts can struggle to find the heartbeat so I would spend my money on something more practical.

Rpj16 · 05/12/2015 19:17

I borrowed one, but I cant ever hear the heartbeat, only the umbilical cord! Only use it very rarely though as the gel is so messy!

GoApeShit · 05/12/2015 19:28

I find it utterly ridiculous that these things are available to the public.

PotteringAlong · 05/12/2015 19:30

Don't do it. You are not a medical professional.

CarShare · 05/12/2015 19:49

Positive for me. Used it once weekly from about 9 to 20 weeks and enjoyed listening to the baby, my husband did too. Didn't get obsessed, and never an occasion when I couldn't find her. Am now 31 weeks so the kicks and tumbles are enough for me to know she's all good. Not saying it's for everyone though- I think it could cause uneccessary concern or give false reassurance in some circumstances. Think it possibly did help with bonding as it made it a bit more real in those early stages but again, I'm sure this is different for everyone. All the best with whatever you decide.

Brummiegirl15 · 05/12/2015 19:51

Bad!!!! Do not do it. In the nicest possible way, you aren't a trained professional.

A midwife put it this way. If you saw someone knocked over by a car, you wouldn't assume they were OK, just because they had a pulse. It's exactly the same thing

Original poster

LouLou030783 · 05/12/2015 20:12

Defo don't think I'll be doing it..thanks for all the comments ladies xx

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