Pros and Cons of a Doppler

[andindria]

I know everyone's mainly sticking to their BMB, but I think maybe adding life to the old Second Tri board would be good. So to all those who have either owned or used a Doppler. What are the pros? The cons?

To those who are considering buying one. What is holding you back?

[Stormy61]

Jan 24, 2015 4:13:15 GMT -5 andindria said:

I know everyone's mainly sticking to their BMB, but I think maybe adding life to the old Second Tri board would be good. So to all those who have either owned or used a Doppler. What are the pros? The cons?

To those who are considering buying one. What is holding you back?

Don't have one but I'm thinking not a good idea bc I would become obsessive!

[andindria]

I think that's why I don't have one. I would be scanning every day looking for baby. And if I couldn't find the heartbeat I'd be freaking out.

[honeylemon]

I got one during my last pregnancy because of a previous loss and because of some complications and a lot of bleeding. I had a ton of anxiety. It eased my mind during my panic moments. Thankfully I was always able to find her quickly.

Cons: yeah I think it would have made my anxiety worse if I couldn't find the heartbeat but I never had that problem.

I haven't used it as much with this pregnancy but it was still nice to have during those weeks before I could feel regular movement.

[ruemorgan]

I havent owned one but I know some people use them to seek comfort but end up stress I more. Also, if you have anterior placenta it can be hard to find the fetal heart beat.

[julie216]

I had one for my first pregnancy. It was a life saver. Because I had an anterior placenta, I didn't feel DD move till almost 22 weeks. I had 2 prior losses,
so having it maintained my sanity. I loaned it to a friend after DD was born....and I don't know what she was thinking, but she used it in the bathtub
and dropped it... so it no longer works. She has yet to replace it. I don't know if I will bite the bullet and buy another one. It may stress me out more
if I can find 1 HB and not the other.

[andindria]

Jan 24, 2015 16:28:13 GMT -5 julie216 said:

I had one for my first pregnancy. It was a life saver. Because I had an anterior placenta, I didn't feel DD move till almost 22 weeks. I had 2 prior losses,
so having it maintained my sanity. I loaned it to a friend after DD was born....and I don't know what she was thinking, but she used it in the bathtub
and dropped it... so it no longer works. She has yet to replace it. I don't know if I will bite the bullet and buy another one. It may stress me out more
if I can find 1 HB and not the other.

I can understand that especially if one twin is behind the other one it may get a little hard to focus on what you are listening to. I think I'd probably keep on the same baby thinking its both lol.

As far as your doppler goes, yeah I'd be highly upset and send her a bill for that. It is not common sense to not use an electronic device in the tub...

[Nittany]

Yeah, I think I would become obsessed with it. I also read a while back that health officials discourage them (as well as elective ultrasounds) because of extra exposure to the baby and lack of trained professionals (sometimes).

[jil]

I borrowed one from a friend during my 1st pregnancy and bought my own this time. I rarely use it now that I can feel LO move regularly. I never had difficulty finding a heartbeat, but I agree that could be a big con.

I did commit to only using it for a couple of minutes once a week, just because that's what an NP recommend to me. Not sure if there is a real reason or she just didn't want me to get obsessed.

[Girlymama79]

I have one and love it. I think i would of died during the 1st trimester without it, since I had two losses just previous to this pregnancy.

I only used it every 2-3 days and everytime I was greatly relived and ready to face another few days.

I was lucky though and never had any troubles finding it. I think if you have one and don't find it you need to try to find it a few times before you freak out and call the dr.

[RedAero]

Dopplers are just one of those things that are great for some people and bad news bears for others. They take time and patience to use, they're not as sensitive as the ones at your doc's office, and sometimes you just plain can't find the kid with them. Some women have a harder time using them than others. Some babies are easy to find, others not so much.

Bottom line -- they cause a lot of obsessing and anxiety for some women, and a lot of reassurance and calm for others. So it really just depends on your personal situation.

[headisbest]

I have heard of too many mothers buying low grade dopplers that pick up more background noise than fetal heartbeats which caused mothers too much unnecessary stress.

[beefinch]

I have a one, nothing fancy and only cost me £15 second hand. Being a FTM I didn't know when the heart beat could be found, and I found my DS heart beat at 16 weeks, so good to ease worries since I didn't feel him until around 19 weeks. I don't use it much now, because of my boys movements all day long. But from having one I can see how it can become obsessive. I was doing it every night at like 16 weeks until my partner took it away from me for a week or so!

[jgesi]

Lurking from first tri. I love my doppler. I listen for the heart beat every night. There have been a couple nights that I just can't find it, and that's normal. As long as that wouldn't bother you, it's not a bad thing to have. I had a lot of spotting this morning, and hearing the heart beat was a life saver while waiting for my ultrasound appt. It's not for everyone. You have to know how you would react in certain situations.

[Deleted]

I considered getting one but thought I might get freaked out if I couldn't find the heart beat. I even thought if I told myself that I wouldn't let myself get freaked out, then I could go ahead with it. But I know I'll end up making myself worry for no reason.

[viola]

I support doppler use for people after 13 weeks that would have anxiety eased by it. That is, as long as they understand a heartbeat can be difficult to find, takes practice and patience, and should not be used to self diagnose.
I haven't used mine at all since 16 weeks since that's when I started feeling movement. For that reason, I think they can be a waste of money for the average pregnant lady.

[kaeguri]

I rented one, used it for the first time last night. Since I'm not showing yet, I'm using it once a week just to reassure myself. I've ingrained in my head that it's possible I might not hear him/her all the time, but I don't tend to obsess that much. If you are the type that would panic, I wouldn't recommend it. I listened for about a minute, then put it away for next week. Think I'll keep it until I start either showing or feeling movement.

[sissykate21]

Jan 24, 2015 9:17:13 GMT -5 honeylemon said:

I got one during my last pregnancy because of a previous loss and because of some complications and a lot of bleeding. I had a ton of anxiety. It eased my mind during my panic moments. 

This. 
My Doppler arrived yesterday and as far as day 1 goes, it's a winner. 

[Deleted]

I used a doppler with my first (now 21 months old) and just got a doppler to use with this LO (found the heartbeat tonight!). I love using the doppler at home whenever I feel the need; I am very anxious naturally and for me, being able to hear the LO's heartbeat is very reassuring. Yes, it can take some time to find, especially at first, but if you are able to remain calm while you search, then I think it's nothing but good!

[Bluedaisy]

I'm not getting one because even my doctor really struggles to find the heartbeat with the doppler (almost always needs to use the handheld ultrasound) so I figure if she struggles to find the heartbeat with it then I have no business trying. I'd make myself way more anxious.

[blush]

I think I might get one for my next pregnancy. I will have to severely limit its usage.

I think it can create a false sense of security or create unnecessary anxiety. It can also be fun to use. I think it really depends on the person using it.

[bosco213]

I love my Doppler. I found the HB starting at 9 weeks and used it almost daily until I was out of the first try and maybe 1x a week after that until I stated feeling her move a lot. Now I'm reassured by her movement and don't really use it.

The first time it took me a long time to find the heartbeat and I was super anxious but once you find it its not too hard. I've never not found it, but it would definitely make me anxious.

I have the SonoLine b, you can get it online for maybe $50?

[twotxmommies]

We love ours. We use it a few times a week. It has been such a blessing during the long wait between appointments.

[jgy]

I'm AMA and have more anxiety with this pregnancy than the last one, so I borrowed a doppler from a friend. I've had success using it, and have been patient when I can't find the HB right away, but now I'm worried about the heart rate being too low. At this point the relief of finding an actual heart beat far outweighs the anxiety about the rate, but we'll see how that progresses.

Prenatal appointment on Friday. Just breathe.

[mrskblack11]

I have had a previous loss and the doppler helped me on days when my PGAL brain was giving me anxiety. I knew that sometimes it would be hard to find the heartbeat. I would never use it for more than a few minutes. If I didn't find a heart beat, I would stop and try again later that day. Once I started feeling daily movement I have only used it once.

For me, the Doppler was great. I

[cowplanet]

I've noticed that mid-way between my appointments, I start to get a little nervous. It's silly, because I still have MS, belly's growing, etc. Last Friday I bought an Angel Sounds doppler (less than $30), which may seem very silly because my next appointment was Monday. But since DH didn't get to come to the appointment, he didn't get to hear the heart, so Tuesday, I surprised him with the doppler and then he got to hear little Poppyseed beating away. He also thought it was funny to hear my stomach gurgle, too.

As of right now, I think I'll probably just use it for a few minutes when I get my midway nerves until I feel LO wiggling around. And then it might be if activity has gone low and I need reassurance. To keep myself from being tempted, I've re-boxed it and tucked it away on a shelf. Even if we only use it a couple of times, I think $30 isn't bad for including the hubby.

[mernuuh]

I have one and I thought I would use it alllll the time, but you really dont. I used it in the first trimester a little since I couldn't feel Violet, but now that I feel her I never use it. It gave me a piece of mind in the begining!

[radiantly]

I've been feeling kicking daily so far as of last week (18) and so I don't think it's necessary. But if I have a scare of sorts I could see why it's peace of mind. Is there any evidence that the baby can hear it or be affected in any way?