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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

Fetal doppler questions

32 replies

timcs · 28/12/2019 19:02

Due this pregnancy being our 1st and with the usual concerns we a having with the health of the baby. My fiancee not only has a cold and cough at the moment but has other complications too.

We were wondering about the fetal doppler monitors . I have done some research on these and there appears to be advice saying to sit tight until your next scan from your practitioner etc.

Although our next scan is on the 31st yes that's right new years eve! We are wanting to know if anyone has used these devices considering that she is 13 weeks 1 day in to her pregnancy

Thank you

Tim

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

CmdrCressidaDuck · 28/12/2019 19:04

Don't. You don't know how to use it, you don't know what's the baby's heartbeat and what is the umbilical cord, and you don't know how to interpret the baby's heart rate in the very unlikely event that you happen to find it. The only things you can get from a Doppler as an amateur are false reassurance and unnecessary worry.

beela · 28/12/2019 19:05

As above. Don't.

InvisibleToEveryone · 28/12/2019 19:07

Unless you are trained to use one, don't.
You won't know what you're listening for.

The foetal heartbeat can sound the same as the blood pulse in the placenta to a lay person.
Parents have relied on this sound to believe all is well when it hasn't been.

Which is why midwives et al are wanting them banned from general sale.

Any concerns go to your midwife/doctor.

StillWeRise · 28/12/2019 19:10

exactly, do not buy one, they are dangerous

EstebanTheMagnificent · 28/12/2019 19:16

Please don’t.

TowelStripes · 28/12/2019 19:17

You want one because your fiance has a cold? Bit random.

Also, as PP, they are dangerous in the hands of untrained people.

TowelStripes · 28/12/2019 19:18

Also, never heard a cough being referred to as a complication!

IDontDrinkTea · 28/12/2019 19:19

I’m a midwife.

At 13 weeks pregnant, it would be a struggle to find a heartbeat with a doppler at home. Mostly because the baby is still tiny at this stage and low in your pelvis. Factor in that most at home dopplers that are available to buy are of poor quality, I think you could end up panicking yourself by not being able to find it, even though your baby is totally fine.

Not only that, the presence of a heartbeat does not guarantee all is ok. You wouldn’t walk past someone collapsed in the street just because they have a pulse. The same with your baby. Midwives are trained to listen for slight variations in the babies heartbeat and factor that in with other factors to look at baby’s overall health.

Please don’t buy one

shutupsteph · 28/12/2019 19:28

Please don't fall into the home doppler trap. It's dangerous and will cause you more worry than reassurance. If you are ever worried about anything call the midwife or go to MAU and they can do their checks. Seriously, don't.

Tini17 · 28/12/2019 20:28

So you want a Doppler because your partner has a cold? 🤔 Is there more to this?
Please do not buy one for all the reasons above. If you are concerned about her wellbeing and that of your baby, ring the Maternity unit where you are booked in and get seen. Your next scan is in three days time, is that right?
PS: why do you seem surprised to have a scan on Tuesday, 31st is a working day and not just for the NHS...

Original poster

timcs · 28/12/2019 20:31

The cold is not the complications she has she has other complications sorry if this was not clear in my post

OP posts:

Original poster

timcs · 28/12/2019 20:36

I did also call the maternity assessment unit who really were of no use at all other than "if we have concerns come to a&e. After our recent visit to A&E where we arrived at 2pm and didn't leave until 3am with no apparent problems found other than them getting her name and date of birth wrong which held things up even more , we do not have much trust in the NHS from this and other experiences

OP posts:

CmdrCressidaDuck · 28/12/2019 20:50

But what are the actual issues? A cold is not an issue. A&E can do nothing for early pregnancy issues. Nobody can do anything for early pregnancy issues* - maternity assessment/triage is for post 20 weeks.

Sounds like you got perfectly good advice, you just didn't like it. Pregnancy means not knowing for sure if everything is fine in there most of the time. Especially in the early weeks, that's something you just have to cope with.

*other than treat the mother if there are genuinely life-threatening issues like an ectopic or severe haemorrhage

stophuggingme · 28/12/2019 20:53

What is the matter with her?
A cold and cough doesn’t warrant a Doppler and untrained use is dangerous in any event

Maryann1975 · 28/12/2019 21:05

You have the option of ‘going private’ if the nhs isn’t working out for you. There are lots of private scanning companies out there who are quite happy for you to make an appointment and to scan you so you can see what’s going on in there. Maybe make an appointment with one of them if you are so worried and you don’t want to wait for the nhs.

I agree with everyone else though, don’t get a home scanner unless you Are specifically trained in how to use it.

McHelenz · 28/12/2019 21:07

You just said usual concerns.

You'd be best paying for a private scan or even look into private antenatal care if you have such little faith in NHS care (what you've said doesn't sound terrible?).

The 12 week scan is scary for first timers, I know I was anxious. But you've not really got long to wait now.

commoncoot · 28/12/2019 21:07

What are her complications?

Stay away from Dopplers. They should be banned for public sale i think

Boymummy3 · 28/12/2019 21:08

Simple answer do not ever use a home Doppler. Leave it to the midwives and trained professionals!
Also if you went to A&E and their was something seriousally wrong with your partner she would of got treated etc you wouldn't of just been fobbed off by no apparent issues found.. If nothing wrong was found its likely because there was nothing wrong.. If it was cold related then that's a common illness that she will just have to get over.

R2D2abc · 28/12/2019 21:09

I did use a home doppler up until I could feel baby move.

I WOULDN'T HAVE USED IT IF I HAD ANY CONCERNS THAT EPAU/GP/A&E NEEDED TO INVESTIGATE.

I wouldn't encourage people using it personally because I wouldn't want to be responsible for their choices, but it's not such a great deal to learn to distinguish baby heartbeat from other sounds.

Used it last pregnancy and this one too due to anxiety. My midwife knew and understood, she knew I wouldn't hesitate going to hospital if I suspected a problem. But I couldn't ask midwife to check on baby every other day because the way I felt.

For me it was a God sent and was thankful it could calm me down a bit.

GoodMPreply · 28/12/2019 21:11

Don’t use a home Doppler (midwife for 12 years).

OK, use it for fun/something nice to do but if you have any actual concerns please see a health professional.

Thoughtlessinengland · 28/12/2019 21:20

DO NOT DO THIS.

A home Doppler in the hands of untrained people will give false reassurance when you might really need medical attention. You will mistake the myriad other sounds for a feral heartbeat and be false lay reassured on the odd occasion you may actually need help.

At 13 weeks there is no point anyway. From when you first feel movements go by the movements you feel. NOT by a doppler

georgialondon · 28/12/2019 21:28

Don't do it!!

firstimemamma · 28/12/2019 21:33

Don't do it op.

2 midwives on this thread - one of whom has 12 years experience - and everyone else all saying no. We're saying it for a reason.

If you don't want to listen then what was the point of this thread? Are you waiting for that 1 person to come along and tell you what you want to hear or are you going to listen to the majority?

sirmione16 · 28/12/2019 21:37

I was gifted one. You can't use most of them until 20 weeks at least and even then it says itl be more like 30 before it's obvious to hear. No point. Plus i Maybe heard it properly once. Not even sure. And this was a "good" brand one. Not cheap. Honestly, there's no point. Plus as above they're not recommended at all. Side note that a and e experience is very different to the midwife unit when pregnant. I had to go in three times in my pregnancy each time I was assessed straight away and monitored, and only let go when they were sure it was safe to do so. Don't base your full opinion on one experience as you have no idea what was going on behind the scenes.

Starlight84 · 29/12/2019 00:26

I was always told by my mw she would rather me go in a hundred times over them to listen over having a Doppler at home. I would always say I knew you would find it straight away and she would say no that’s no heartbeat that’s the cord. I rest my case! Leave it to someone who is trained to know what they are doing with one! Also their dopplers cost thousands. Most online are so cheap! They can’t compare to a proper piece of kit! Also most mw’s won’t even contemplate listening for a heartbeat until after 20weeks. If it can’t be found it causes panic. It depends on the trust or the mw I think. Mine did try at nearly 17 weeks and my friend in a different county hers wouldn’t! Just wait until the scan. New Year’s Eve isn’t far to wait now

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