At home Doppler

[OnMyJourney]

I know at home dopplers aren't recommended and I know midwife's say to not use them but either way I bought one, I researched and asked my midwife it's purely to stop you stressing when you can't find the heartbeat, they pose no actual medical risks if used for a short period of time

Either way, I bought one and I just wanted to see if other people found comfort in using one? At first it took me a good 5-10 minutes to find the heartbeat but I'm pretty sure I found it! So exciting! It came up saying 157bpm and it was a little fast (but normal) what's everyone's guess on gender? 🥰 I know people say the HR doesn't make a difference on gender but it's an old wives tale I just wanted to see peoples guesses 💜

You can’t tell gender (or even sex) from heartbeat.

The danger Dopplers pose is that you might believe everything to be well when you should actually get checked.

Chuck it away.

Regardless I was asking for a bit of fun for me, I knew the risks, either way I'm not using it because I felt something was wrong, I was using it just to hear the heartbeat because it's cute, if I felt like something was wrong my first thought wouldn't be to go and get my £9 Doppler off of eBay to check the baby is okay of course I would go to the hospital or call my midwife, I could think everything is fine with or without the Doppler and the baby might not be, using a Doppler for me is not for the medical side to check baby is okay.

I used one, not for reassurance but for fun and bonding. It was great! But you have to know yourself and your reasons. In the occasions (rare!) that I wasn't able to find the heartbeat I didn't panic or worry at all. If i was a worrier then it would be an awful idea.

Also, it should NEVER be used instead of getting something odd checked out. Babies don't die because mums are using Dopplers for fun, but babies have died when it's given false reassurance or meant they didn't seek out help.

Home dopplers are advised against because of the potential for picking up mothers heartbeat and possibly giving a false reassurance about baby.
You have decided to use one, your choice but I wouldn’t.