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

Original poster

Doppler has arrived - nervous to try!

29 replies

honey2theb · 08/03/2007 10:11

Im feeling really apprehensive now in case i cant hear anything! I really wanted to order it but im scared now!

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badelaide · 08/03/2007 10:13

Hi honey2theb, how pg are you?

ShowOfHands · 08/03/2007 10:16

Oh I remember this feeling (and the panic when I couldn't find the heartbeat).

Lie in a reclining position and use lots of gel. Start down low, just above your pubic bone and move the doppler very slowly. You're listening for a galloping horses/train sound. You may also hear the rushing of blood through the placenta. It is important to move very slowly and start as low down as possible.

If you can't hear anything, get up, eat, drink, jiggle and try later.

Good luck!

Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 10:17

between 14 and 16 weeks, why??

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Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 10:19

do you think its too early?? i havent had a scan yet and cant get one for 3 weeks so i really need something!

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badelaide · 08/03/2007 10:23

No, I'm no expert but i don't think that's too early. My midwife found a heartbeat for me at about 12 weeks (if i remember rightly), but she really had to fish around for it.
Go for it....Good Luck!

Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 10:25

thank you! I'm going to try lunch time. Will let you know how i get on!!

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badelaide · 08/03/2007 10:29

remember honey...there's a good chance you won't hear anything, doesn't mean lo isn't absolutely fine.
Course, you could hear two!

LieselVentouse · 08/03/2007 11:23

I didnt know you could order these. Where do you get them?
What are they called?

fifiandtheflowertots · 08/03/2007 11:30

I got mine of the anawiz website, you can rent them for £19.99 a month or buy them outright, but after about 4 months youve paid for it anyway.
I think i got mine a few days before my first scan coz i was so scared incase i went in for my scan and they told me there was nothing there and id just imagined it

ShowOfHands · 08/03/2007 11:33

ebay! tis a wondrous thing... just search for 'doppler'

LieselVentouse · 08/03/2007 11:55

Got one for £20 thanks guys

Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 13:07

Well...
I used it at lunch time. I heard lots of swooshing, and a heartbeat of 120 bpm. My OH was convinced it was the baby. He took my pulse and listened to my heart too
IT was right on my right side though, like near my hip bone and about 3 cm up from my pubic hair line. Is my uterus that big then yet?? i didnt think the baby could be so far on my side, or did i hear something else???

thanks xxxx

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badelaide · 08/03/2007 13:21

sounds like your baby to me, at 120bpm you would have to have been very excited for it to be your own heartbeat!
I think probably lo isn't necessarily lying where you get the best "reading", iyswim.
(I'm no expert mind)
How exciting, well done and congratulations!

lulumama · 08/03/2007 13:23

ok

great, sounds like the baby

BUT BUT BUT

these make me really anxious

midwives can struggle up to 16 weeks or so, to find the heartbeat...

a lot depends on the position of the baby and how far up in the pelvis the uterus has risen

it can really make you worry if you cannot find it....once the baby is bigger it is easier. but at this stage it can be hit and miss

try not to drive yourself mad with it...might end up worried not reassured x

Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 13:24

aw thank you! im hoping it was the baby! i've never seen my boyfriend smile so much, it was really lovely!
I have been so scared after the 2 mc. I really didnt feel like i would ever have a baby! but i feel a tiny bit better. OH admitted he felt better after hearing the HB . I didnt even realise he was stressed, bless him! I feel so selfish!

So maybe the baby wasnt taat far across then??

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Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 13:26

thanks lulu mama

Oh and to the others who said they bought them for £20 - i hired mine for a month for about £20. I wanted one that was good quality you see. So what im trying to say is maybe the cheaper ones will just get you worried?!( and i know all about that!!) just my opinion tho!

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ShowOfHands · 08/03/2007 13:26

I always found the heartbeat over to one side near my hipbone but you just start in the middle and work out until you find it.

Lulu is right of course- she always is!- that you mustn't worry if you can't find a heartbeat. I only used my doppler until the baby was moving regularly. After having a mc it was a great reassurance!

VeniVidiVickiQV · 08/03/2007 13:27

Have to say, mw's struggled to find DS's heartbeat when I was 38 wks. He was a little bugger

ShowOfHands · 08/03/2007 13:28

And I bought mine for £20 and only time I couldn't find the heartbeat was the first time and I was doing it all wrong!

badelaide · 08/03/2007 13:29

Aah, Honey, I had the same thing...2mc before ds2. Hearing that heartbeat for the 1st time was the best, best thing.
Bearing in mind what Lulumama just said, could you not get a midwife to listen in for you?
You need that reassurance, and my midwives were lovely and only too happy to help.

Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 13:29

Show of hands, i thought maybe the £20 ones were not as good quality, obviously your was So ignore me!

honey xx

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Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 13:31

badelaide.
When i booked in with my midwife ( well it was actually her secretary!!) she wrote her numbers down for me, but took them with her. I rang the surgery the other day for her number and they told me they didnt have it!! i couldnt believe it!
I would have to ring the surgery and leave a message for when she goes there i think!

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badelaide · 08/03/2007 13:34

Do it, definitely do it.
I really think, given the 2 mcs, that she'd be happy to reassure you, and then you can have a rest from that awful nagging worry and doubt.

Original poster
honey2theb · 08/03/2007 13:36

I think i might! Happy i heard the HB today though i think! Have never got to 14 weeks before!

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badelaide · 08/03/2007 13:43

I think you heard it too, i really do, so fingers crossed you're on your way with this one.
Good Luck, and let us know!