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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Does the doeppler work for you everytime?

21 replies

theheatherjane1 · 02/01/2017 12:05

I'm 15 weeks and we've been using the Angelsounds for a few weeks and getting a heartbeat everytime, but nothing this morning.
Do you get a heartbeat everytime? How long should I leave it before trying again?
Any advice welcome.
Many thanks

OP posts:

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PurpleDaisies · 02/01/2017 12:09

Home dopplers are dangerous. They either reassure people there's no issue when there could be or cause anxiety when there's no need.

Only trained professionals should be using Doppler equipment. If you've got any concerns about your baby, contact your midwife or another medical professional.

www.kickscount.org.uk/mums/your-babys-movements/why-shouldnt-i-use-a-home-doppler/

Snowflakes1122 · 02/01/2017 12:31

This is my 5th pregnancy and sometimes I still struggle to find baby and am 16 weeks.

Have you tried going to the loo for a pee? Laying on your side? Using more gel? Is there anywhere locally you can get a private scan in you still struggle to find it for reassurance? My local place can fit me in the same day usually.

Dopplers are safe.
Kicks Count is talking more about ladies who are at the stage where you should be monitoring movement and not looking to a Doppler for reassurance instead. OP is 15 weeks!
Of course anyone with concerns should, and the vast majority would seek help if they had concerns and not turn to their Doppler and rely on that alone (I certainly did seek help when I had concerns)

Purplebluebird · 02/01/2017 12:33

No, I didn't get anything every time! I found it really hard to use!

Original poster

theheatherjane1 · 02/01/2017 12:37

Ok, thank you.
If we hadn't ever have found the heartbeat with it then I wouldn't be fretting quite so much but we've found it easy until today.
So, I'm going to brreeeaaathhhheee, let the midwife enjoy her bank holiday, and give it another go tonight.

OP posts:

KittyandTeal · 02/01/2017 12:37

Most midwives won't check (or if they do won't guarantee hearing) a heartbeat even at 16 weeks.

Dopplers aren't safe, they worry people when there's no need and reassure people when they should seek help. It's well documented.

Quite often what you're hearing on a Doppler is actually the flow of blood through the umbilical cord.

Most medical professionals agree that home dopplers aren't great.

Anyway, to answer the question, at 15 weeks even a trained midwife might find it hard to pick up a heartbeat so it's not surprising you are.

catx1606 · 02/01/2017 13:39

It actually says in my antenatal notes not to use a dopler at home. Midwifes are trained professionals and even they struggle to find the heartbeat at 16 weeks. A dopler will only give you something else to worry about which it is doing now to you. When they first listened to my baby's heartbeat at 16 weeks, the first sound they found with the blood flow through the cord, then they found mine and then they found his and when I asked how they could tell the difference, they said years of practice. As far as I'm aware, if it's before 16 weeks, they won't even guarantee that they'll be able to find it. Personally I wouldn't try again tonight and speak to the midwife.

Blondeshavemorefun · 02/01/2017 14:16

Never use a dolper at home. You are not trained and could mistake hearing heart or not recognise if heart having problems

All mw will say the same

SquedgieBeckenheim · 02/01/2017 14:29

Just adding another voice to the plea not to use a home doppler! Every midwife says not to use them, there's signs up in the antenatal department at my hospital saying not to use them. They either give a false reassurance or cause unnecessary anxiety.
In my previous pregnancy the midwife wouldn't look for a heartbeat at 16 week appointment as they may struggle to find it. With this pregnancy the midwife did find it at 16 weeks, but not before warning us she might not and that doesn't necessarily mean there's a problem.
In my opinion they should be banned.

lynseyc83 · 02/01/2017 15:26

You should not be using dopplers for reassurance as more often than not it is your own heart heart you are hearing and not your child's.

manhowdy · 02/01/2017 18:50

If you're picking up a 140bpm heartbeat and it's your own you need to get to A&E Lynsey!

Dopplers are not recommended for the exact reason you are posting now OP. Your baby has moved and it's hard to find the HB. Try not to worry at 15 weeks - it's very early.

Twinnypops · 02/01/2017 19:07

I had a lot of midwife appointments and to my untrained ears there was zero difference between the noise of the placenta and the heartbeat. Please don't rely on a home doppler for reassurance. Trust your instincts and if you have concerns about you baby see your midwife.

ConvincingLiar · 02/01/2017 20:13

I was in hospital at about 16 weeks and the midwife said it was not possible to reliably listen to the heart beat.

Becciilouisex3 · 03/01/2017 08:20

Baby will move around and obviously has a lot of developing and growing to do. To find the heartbeat at this stage you have to find pretty much the exact position of baby's position whilst they're moving around. Even midwives can struggle.

The further along you get the easier you can hear it because baby is bigger, taking up more room in your uterus and the heartbeat is stronger.

Original poster

theheatherjane1 · 03/01/2017 08:37

Thanks all for taking the time to reply.

OP posts:

Blueskyrain · 03/01/2017 17:28

I have one and I've managed to find the HB each time. I know its not mine, because they are different rates!

I think as long as you use them for curiousity, rather than reassurance, they are fine.

Blueskyrain · 03/01/2017 17:29

It does take a few minutes sometimes to find it though, so I wouldn't be worried if you can't find it right away. Try in a couple of hours time etc.

ColdTeaAgain · 03/01/2017 17:33

Absolutely agree about not using home Dopplers for all the reasons PPs have described above.

Chuck it in the bin.

Original poster

theheatherjane1 · 03/01/2017 17:57

Sooooooo, we used the doppler this morning, were elated to hear a heartbeat and then my husband chucked it straight in the bin...
Didn't even want it to go to the charity shop and inflict it on someone else.

Lesson learnt.

OP posts:

divadee · 03/01/2017 18:01

Glad to hear it OP. They seem to be the devils work these dopplers. I have never even thought of one cos of the anxiety thy cause a lot of people!!

Snowflakes1122 · 03/01/2017 18:06

So glad you found heartbeat.

Won't be long until you feel regular kicks. That's the best reassurance you can get!

Blueskyrain · 03/01/2017 18:22

Meh, we love ours :-D

But then again, I didn't buy it for reassurance, I bought it for curiousity and to help with bonding. They can be great or terrible depending on your personality!

If you use one, use more lube than you might expect, and start very low, right by the pubic hair line. Its better if you do it with your partner, as its easier for him to check your pulse at the beggining so you know whose beat is whose, until you can easily tell the difference.

We've recorded and analysed ours, to look at the rythmn. So cool :-) (and a steady 162-167bpm)

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