Heart Doppler

[alicewithnohumps]

How far along was you before you could hear the heartbeat with a Doppler at home?

It’s strongly recommended that you do not use a home Doppler. Midwives are trained in how to use them properly, and when used by untrained people they are likely to not work as effectively and cause more worry than is necessary. Some midwives use the Doppler to hear the heartbeat at the 16 week appointment. Others think it’s too early and will wait for the appointment after that (c. 25 weeks).

Doppler's can cause so much more trouble than they're worth. Hearing a heartbeat doesn't mean everything is well and good. It's easy to pick up the pulse from the placenta or your own heartbeat. I was told not to use one, especially as the ones available online are pretty rubbish.

I wouldn't, it will only stress you out when you can't find it! Sometimes it can takes midwives a while even in the third trimester, so definitely not a great idea if you don't know how to use one!

Midwife used one at 16 weeks, I found it at home at 22 weeks.

I found mine from 9 weeks but sometimes took time to find, also depends were your placenta is positioned x

Never because I didn't use one. I left it to the professionals when I attended my appointments as is recommended for a number of reasons.

Of course the choice is yours but keep in mind majoirty of midwives wont even listen via a doppler before 20 weeks as baby is still small and its hard to find.. if by any chance you do get one be carefull because your own heartbeat will/can be picked up and be mistaken for your babies. Unless you are medically trained to use them and know exactly what your listening out for i would seriousally stay clear of them but again it is your choice xx

You should hear from 10 weeks..

Don't use once you can feel movement and you're over 23 weeks. Otherwise I've never heard a single good argument against, they save so much stress when used before that point

At 9 weeks, thou it's a bit trickier to find then but possible.

As other pp say, don't use it after you can feel movements. And anyway whenever in doubt things are not looking good( pain, bleeding, other things that might happen) don't rely on Doppler but get medical attention. For fun and early stages I've never found a good argument against.