Doppler or not?

[Apple35]

What are people's thought regarding buying a doppler? Good idea or not?

It's not advised.

Bad idea in my opinion. Many many times women have panicked because they havnt found a heartbeat because they have no clue what to even listen for... many times mums heartbeat has been picked up instead of babies and something has been wrong I've read of both situations loads of times so for me I'd rather the midwife just do it and appointments as they are trained at what to listen out for x

Definitely not - you’re not trained to use it, imagine how it would feel on the times you can’t find the heartbeat because of baby in an awkward position? It can be anxious keeping track of babies’ movements, but it’s important to keep an eye without getting too obsessed. A fine balance I know! If you’re ever worried about movements, your care team are very likely to bring you in for reassurance.

Please don’t.

Not

Bad idea. They shouldn’t be sold

Bad idea.

Mine moved away everytime midwife got 9ne out, they didn't like it. 9n that basis alone I wouldn't get one.

Only if you a registered midwife that knows how to use one. Otherwise no

Nope

Nope.

I had one from my last pregnancy so used it again this time and so glad I have it as some times when I get that worrying feeling I just pop some oil on tummy and listen I have never had issue finding heartbeat it was harder earlier in pregnancy but could still find just took slightly longer but once I was 9 weeks it's been there first time every time am now 16 weeks it really does just out my mind at rest xx

@Apple35 I thought about it, but then decided against it. I think it would stress me out. Also the midwife said that it can give you false reassurance, as you might pick up your own heartbeat. I decided just to ride it out.

Are you trained and qualified in its use? If the answer is no, then no. It’s a very bad idea. You get people like @KHall84 who think it’s setting their mind at rest, and they hear a noise but actually they have no idea if it’s the baby’s heart, their own heartbeat being passed down, or the blood flow through the placenta. What can happen is you worry something is wrong. You have a little listen to “set your mind at rest” and because you think you’ve heard the heartbeat you don’t bother going to MAU to get checked out. But as you have no idea what you should be listening for, you can easily miss a problem that you should in fact be seeking medical help for. Dopplers are a very, very bad idea.

They should be banned from public sale.

Speaking as a midwife please do not under any circumstances buy one. So many times in my clinic people think they're listening to the heartbeat but it's actually placental flow. Take a recording of the heartbeat when your midwife listens in if you want to hear it regularly, but please don't buy one yourself. Any concerns should see you straight in maternity triage anyway.

People on here can be so rude the person asked for opinions and that is what I gave my opinion no one has to follow it, and actually as my placenta was at the front last time I actually do know what is my heartbeat, and placenta flow to my actual babies heartbeat @FenellaMaxwell but at no point have I said everyone can, also I didnt say you should not go get checked out so dont jump to conclusions although I had doppler last time and could hear heartbeat I still got checked out on 3 occasions the poster asked if it's worth it amd to me yes it is for the early stages you can also hear the baby moving about which is really nice to hear especially as its before you can really feel any kicks xx

Please, please don’t use one. Personally I have seen one too many lost babies because the mother didn’t get checked out because they were reassured by a home doppler. They should be banned from sale.

@KHall84 please be aware that just because you had an anterior placenta last time, it doesn’t mean you do this time. Also an anterior placenta makes it harder to discern heartbeat in early pregnancy so I’m not certain what you are trying to say?

The problem with Dopplers isn't just mistaking placenta for baby's heartbeat, it's also even if you hear baby's heartbeat it doesn't mean all is well. The heartbeat itself could indicate a problem but you would never know, and if you was falsely assured it may not be picked up on

@KHall84 you say you're just giving your opinion as if it's harmless. It isn't. For the myriad of reasons given by qualified professionals on this thread. Unfortunately your 'opinion' could harm.

Just in case you haven’t already been persuaded, let my add my “no”!

A million times over NO! DON'T!
As others have said I have seen too many babies lives put at risk and lost
The sooner they are banned from sale to the public the better

@KHall84 I use one too. I know how to use it and know how to find baby, suffered with few miscarriages and had other issues.

Other people can be so mean here sometimes, no one is telling anyone you should use it, but the reality is there are people who are and that’s fine. I’m using it until I can fell kicks as this relieves my anxiety of knowing baby is still alive.

Please don’t be rude to people that do things different to yours. It’s a choice. I just remember how many rude messages were written about vaccines also on here and I think it’s not fair some people aren’t considering most of us here are pregnant and don’t need mean people around but this website should be a safe and no negative environment for anyone.

I had one. I'm not a trained professional but I'm sensible enough to have not used it if I thought anything could have been wrong with the baby and to see the GP or MW with any concerns. I only used it a handful of times. I loved being able to listen to her heartbeat.