Let's talk about: Fetal Dopplers

[wittyandwaiting]

Anybody have one?
Anybody want one?
If you have one, what do you like/dislike about it?
What are your thoughts and feels on this?

[renbee]

I have one from my first pregnancy. I never was able to find the heartbeat on it (because unfortunately there wasn't one when I was trying). I'm glad to have one but don't know when I will get it out this time. I also have a retroverted uterus so I think that makes the heartbeat a little harder to find sometimes and I don't want to freak myself out.

[holidayarmadillo]

Part of me would love one, but at the same time, I would probably just worry myself. They couldn't find the heartbeat with the Doppler until my 16 week appt with my son. They tried at my 12 week, but couldn't hear it, so they have me a quick ultrasound to make sure everything was okay. I am overweight thought and I know that can make a difference.

[wittyandwaiting]

Sept 7, 2015 8:43:08 GMT -5 gooselover2012 said:

My PgAL brain really needs one but.... I don't know if I want to feed my crazyness.

Am very interested to hear what people have to say who have one!

Exactly this!!!

[minae01]

I have one and I love it. It was the best $50 ever spent on a pregnancy related item (including the Snoogle).

I have a tilted uterus, so I can't the heartbeat until just before 12 weeks (not that I haven't been trying already). It is tricky to find the heartbeat consistently until about 13-14 weeks. I have had moments of panic with it, but that's resolved when I actually do find the heartbeat.

I'm trying to be patient this time as I'm trying every few days. I've been needing some reassurance lately! I do think it's a great way to ease worry until you start feeling the baby consistently (18-20 weeks). It is frustrating at first, but watching YouTube videos helps.

[shananagins]

Sept 7, 2015 8:43:08 GMT -5 gooselover2012 said:

My PgAL brain really needs one but.... I don't know if I want to feed my crazyness.

Am very interested to hear what people have to say who have one!

+1

I'm concerned that I might drive myself even crazier if I have one!

[tdf2010]

I bought one with my 1st successful pregnancy. I loved it but couldn't find the heartbeat until 10ish weeks, I think. Now this time, I was able to find the heartbeat right at 8w. I don't use it daily but it's nice to have when my next appointment isn't until October.

[JoeLies]

I got one for my last pregnancy. I couldn't consistently find the HB until 13-14 weeks and I stopped using it once I was feeling consistent movement.

Right now, I can catch LO briefly, but it shies away. My OB said they have the same issue around this time frame. Anyhow it IS a bit frustrating this early on but it helped calm me down when my symptoms all but disappeared.

[danenikki]

I have the sonoline b. I've found the hb once. It was really reassuring. I'v refrained from using it since. I don't want to be crazy and doing it all the time. I "understand" if I don't find it its because it's super early and " try" not to freak out.

[Deleted]

Sept 7, 2015 9:33:35 GMT -5 renbee said:

I have one from my first pregnancy. I never was able to find the heartbeat on it (because unfortunately there wasn't one when I was trying). I'm glad to have one but don't know when I will get it out this time. I also have a retroverted uterus so I think that makes the heartbeat a little harder to find sometimes and I don't want to freak myself out.

Me too. They couldn't find DDs heartbeat at 11w5d last time on the doppler so they did a U/S. This time they tried at 10w and couldn't really find it. The Dr said each baby will implant differently so sometimes you could hear one and not a different baby but not yet for me. I wouldn't want one, I know it'd make me crazier than it's worth.

[lclegit]

Same, buttercup. Those who have them, what kind do you have? I'm thinking I can find a decent one for around $50? A friend found one that actually works for like $12 on Amazon. I do really want one but the fear of it making me a slave to it is keeping me from buying it.

[Ann612]

I had prevented myself from looking until I got further along, because I know myself - I would try to use it too early and then freak out even though I know it's crazy.

But at over 10 weeks now, I think it might be getting close to time to order one. DH really wants one too.

[JoeLies]

I have the Sonoline B as well.

[lclegit]

Where did you get it?

[kateitho]

I have a Sonoline B that I got with my son. It was a game changer for me, as I lost our first baby well after hearing the heartbeat at the doctor's office. I personally needed peace of mind more often than I felt comfortable asking my OB for. I found his heartbeat at about 10 weeks, and I used it more often than I'd like to admit.

[leahks77]

**lurking from F16**
I love my Doppler (I have a Sonoline B as well). I have found baby every time I've checked since 10wks. It has been an absolute game changer for me as far as anxiety is concerned. I use it less frequently now, but if I'm having a tough time I love to know I can check. Best $40 I have ever ever spent.

[wowcheezits]

I have one from my last pregnancy and I don't really plan on taking it out much later because last time it took until I was around 16 weeks before I found it on my own.

[wowcheezits]

I also got mine from fetaldopper.net for $70

[kateitho]

buttercup, I recommend watching a Youtube video, and starting low!!! Like almost behind your pubic bone low

[Ann612]

Sept 9, 2015 16:25:32 GMT -5 buttercup said:

Mine will get here tomorrow. I am excited to try it out.

I ordered the same one after your post!

[minae01]

I finally found the heartbeat with my Doppler today. Baby was hanging out on the opposite side of where I've been looking, sneaky little nugget! It is such an incredible feeling to hear that beautiful noise!

[danenikki]

I keep finding it for about a 30secs then baby moves away. But it was strong enough today to measure 169 beats per min.

[jags8]

I just had my follow-up appointment from my U/S, and my doctor checked for the heartbeat. It was SO cool to hear! I didn't think I would get a Doppler, but now I feel bad that DH didn't get to hear it. I'm perusing on Amazon today.

BTW I'm 10w3d and my doctor found it just above my pubic line and a little to the right. So if anyone is trying this at home by themselves, don't panic right away!

[Ann612]

Sept 10, 2015 21:53:16 GMT -5 buttercup said:

I tried to find it again when H got home. It took longer and I kept finding my heartbeat. I stepped away a couple of times. I wouldn't recommend trying if you are rather stressed at the moment.

I watched some you tube videos first and then tried it.  I got a whole lotta nothing.  This is exactly why I tried it for the first time after getting home from an ultrasound, so I KNOW baby is all good.  I'll probably wait another week until I try again. Maybe after next u/s (I get them weekly - I love my RE)

[lclegit]

I'm clearly going to toil over this thing long enough to feel movement and not need one. I was reading about the sonoline b and it says it comes with a probe that isn't meant for hearing baby's heart. Ummm. Ok? Did you guys get a different probe or have you been just fine with the probe it comes with?

[lclegit]

Ignore me, I see it now. #pregobrain the site asks for which probe and tell you which to get if you're pregnant.

[renbee]

I'm 8 weeks today and decided to get out the Doppler and give it a try. Couldn't find anything. Boo. Now I wish I hadn't done it because now o will probably try every day until I can find it.

[lclegit]

Sept 13, 2015 11:07:03 GMT -5 renbee said:

I'm 8 weeks today and decided to get out the Doppler and give it a try. Couldn't find anything. Boo. Now I wish I hadn't done it because now o will probably try every day until I can find it.

I ordered mine last night and I would probably try for hours if I couldn't find it. Hoping it gets here soon!

[renbee]

Sept 13, 2015 13:48:22 GMT -5 lclegit said:

Sept 13, 2015 11:07:03 GMT -5 renbee said:

I'm 8 weeks today and decided to get out the Doppler and give it a try. Couldn't find anything. Boo. Now I wish I hadn't done it because now o will probably try every day until I can find it.

I ordered mine last night and I would probably try for hours if I couldn't find it. Hoping it gets here soon!

I only give myself about 10 minutes and if I can't find it I stop. It's still really early, plus I have a retroverted uterus so I know it might take a bit longer to find it.

[cnf2013]

Lurking from D15

I got a Sonoline B and it's awesome. The first time I used it I had a video running on low next to me so I could figure out what noises were the heartbeat versus other bodily noises, since it picks up everything! Once you find the heartbeat though, it gets easier to use each time. I used mine once a week-ish until I started feeling regular movement around 20 weeks. I found the heartbeat the first time when I was a little over 9 weeks, you just have to patient and know what you're listening for. It may cut in and out too since baby will likely be moving around and has tons of space to move away from you. Also, the read out is not always correct, so if you find the heartbeat and the read out number is low, don't fret. A lot of times it struggles if it's mixed with background noise.