Addicted to my doppler

[bearcrumble]

I am a bit worried about the frequency with which I check on my baby.

I am a bit of a nervous person anyway and this was a much wanted pregnancy - I'm 36 and we had IVF - and things haven't been exactly straightforward. Early on I bled loads (subchorionic heamatoma which resolved). One of my triple tests was low (PAPP-A) and a couple of other things which have left me worried and paranoid, although not as bad as I was before I could feel baby move.

I am coming up for 28 weeks now, and I use my doppler, I'd say 4 or 5 times a day - not for long periods of time, less than a minute, but if I haven't felt him kick for a bit then it eases my mind that he's still there. I'm worried I could be damaging him by using it so much. Is there any chance I am?

the recommendation is not to use a doppler more than 3 times a week and to keep it on for no more than a couple of mins max at a time.

I totally empathise with your anxiety though..as Ive had a very worrying time so far 9am 21 weeks)..I also had a sub chorionic haeomotoma..and have been told its resolved..fingers crossed.

maybe have a chat with your midwife about your fears?

Thanks for the replies.

Ok, I will definitely use it less often. It is just that I work myself up into such a state of panic if I think I haven't felt any movement for a while. I think he is really quiet when I'm asleep and takes a while to wake up in the morning and that's normally when I check first. Then throughout the day, if I think I haven't felt anything for an hour - it's like I need the reassurance then and there.

If I stay still and put my hand on my tummy I ususally feel a movement within quarter of an hour, but it is during that quarter of an hour that I am almost at panic attack level.

But if it could damage him I'll just be patient and wait for a movement. Will I have harmed him already? I've been using it about a month I think. Oh God...

I'm sorry for what you have been through memorylapse - I read some of the other threads you post on. I'm so glad things are going well for you now.

I'm having another scan on Tuesday at 28w2d so hopefully that will be good and I'll be less of a worry wort. I've been told I'm increased risk for pre-eclampsia and growth problems, but at the last scan I had at 24 weeks he was actually at the top end of the normal range.

bearcrumble...I dont think there is any evidence of harm..but because it uses high frequency soundwaves I was told that they cant be sure that the baby isnt bothered by it..hence keeping usage to a minimum..

Im the same re movements though..if I dont feel the baby when I wake up I feel very anxious..then if I go a long time during the day with no movements, my anxiety levels start rising too..

bearcrumble, I work for a company that makes dopplers - don't worry, there is next to no chance that you have harmed your baby in any way by using the doppler.

I agree with akmd, rather than using your doppler have you tried drinking a pint of cold water and sitting quietly when your baby seems not to be moving? That always got mine going

Im sorry you are feeling so anxious, hope things improve soon

Be careful using your doppler, especially if you are worried about baby because of no movement etc.

You can hear the placenta thru a doppler & it doesn't sound unlike a heartbeat to the untrained ear. There are worries that mothers to be will hear the placenta, thinking it is babies heartbeat & be reassured!

I am sure there was a case where a mother heard the placenta, thinking it was the heart & she lost her baby. If you are every worried about your baby please see a professional & don't rely on the doppler that you have no training in using!

there was indeed - the lady in question left it over the weekend because she heard her placenta and mistook it for a heartbeat.The baby died -but could well have been OK if she'd gone in for monitoring.

I think they are a dangerous piece of equipment in the hands of amateurs and for that reason I would support a ban on their sale outside the midwifery profession.

I echo Filibou and Riven.

Women should focus on baby's movement for reassurance that baby is OK.

If you are worried about movement and you listen in for a minute with a doppler then that does not tell you that baby is OK. Yes, it tells you that baby is alive at that minute but nothing more. It will not tell you if baby is distressed, etc.

A change in pattern/frequency of movement can be an indicator that baby is not happy and the only way of finding out for sure is by going to hospital for a monitoring.

I agree with the others in that once you are at a stage where the hospital like you to monitor baby's movements..a change in movement pattern can indicate distress and if you listen in for a minute with a doppler this will not tell you if your baby is unhappy.If you had reduced movements..you need to ring the labour ward and go in for monitoring..this will normaly involve half an hour to an hour on a CTG machine which can record all the variables in baby's heartrate and give an indication as to if baby is happy or not.
With dd2 ..there were quite a few times when I went in for monitoring and she was as happy as larry but the hospital were always quick to say that its better to err on the side of caution..than leave it