Doppler advice...

[BabyWomble]

Have any of you used a Doppler and if you have how early could you hear babies HB? Are some brands better than others?

Thanks

 

[Shepherdess]

I have an Angel sounds one I used from 10 weeks (2nd pregnancy), just for fun though

 

[Princess81]

No no please don’t. They’re such a bad idea.
A) if you can’t find anything you’ll be in a panic
B) if something is actually wrong it can give you false reassurance
C) if you are slightly tachycardic you could mistake your heartbeat for babies anyway.
they honestly cause more problems than they solve.

 

[Princess81]

http://www.kickscount.org.uk/want-ban-home-dopplers/
Kicks count, one of the leading still birth charities explains why they are discouraged x

 

[BabyWomble]

Oh, ok. Just thought it would be nice to hear the babies heartbeat between scan appointments as I suffer with anxiety. Maybe not.

 

[Princess81]

Oh, ok. Just thought it would be nice to hear the babies heartbeat between scan appointments as I suffer with anxiety. Maybe not.

A lot of people buy them for the same reasons, but they create more anxiety than they solve. As a midwife, I sometimes get asked to try to listen at the 16 week appointment - but even then it’s not always easy for me as a professional. I have to explain to the lady that if I can’t find the heartbeat that I won’t send them for a scan etc because it’s still so early etc, but it can be very upsetting. To be in this scenario at home would be worse x

 

[Shepherdess]

I totally agree with you princess. I have used mine on occasion but it'd just for fun with DD1 and not reassurance. If you have anxiety don't use

 

[SF2018]

I don't, they can be so, so dangerous. Hearing a heartbeat on a doppler does not mean your baby is OK, there are huge campaigns begging people not to use them as baby losses could have been prevented had people not relied on them. Please do not use them, leave it to the professionals.

 

[GBLiz]

personally i found that using one between my 12 and 16 week scan did help relieve anxiety. if something was wrong at that point there would be nothing you could do anyway and you're not feeling kicks at that point so it doesnt substitute anything else you should do if concerned. i sold mine after that point though.

 

[BunnyN]

Some one leant me one in my first pregnancy. I used it a few times not for reassurance but because it was amazing to hear baby's heartbeat. My mum and sister were excited to hear it also. The doctor and MWs I was with didn't use a dropper at all so otherwise I would only have heard the heartbeat twice in the pregnancy during scans.

 

[3_for_me]

I use the angel sounds one and I love it. Found baby’s heartbeat at around 8 and a half weeks and have heard it every day since. I know there are mixed opinions but for me it reduces my anxiety levels dramatically. I only used it with my last baby until the point where I could feel him moving, then I used movements to monitor him rather than a doppler.
For me; there’s no chance of getting our heartbeats confused because baby’s sits between 170 and 180 bpm and even when mine was increased last night due to chest infection I could still tell the difference as mine was only 110bpm.
Once you’ve found it once ta very easy to find too - it takes me seconds to find now and I’m 9+5. X

 

[BabyWomble]

I’m 9+4.Just thought it would be nice to hear the babies HB, but with the mixed opinions I don’t know now ��

 

[GBLiz]

you would struggle to find it at 9+4 and would probably make you more anxious! most people cant find it on a doppler til about 12 weeks at least lthough of course there are exceptions

 

[Jamie.d]

i'd wait until at least 16 weeks, as baby is far down in your pelvis..
I am so lucky to have my mum who is a midwife so she can listen when i'm feeling anxious.

They can cause problems when used for reassurance, Even if you hear the heartbeat it doesn't mean everything is okay and you should be monitored straight away, with anything like reduced movements etc I'd never even think to reach for my doppler I'd go straight to midwife/hospital

however! I do find mine to be a nice bonding experience with baby...I like to sit there sometimes and just listen, it makes me feel closer x

 

[PeanutButter]

I could hear dd from 10/11 weeks and this baby from 12 weeks. It depends on how theyre lay, it near the front or back. Just do not use it if baby movements have reduced or stopped always go in and get checked. Its great reasurance for the first trimester until baby starts moving x

 

[Jamie.d]

yes it must quite nice in first tri!

They just tell you not to use from before 16 as it's so small there is a lower chance/its harder to find and causes worry..
I love hearing baby, I've just kept sound recordings week by week I've got the one from tesco direct, it's super clear x

 

[SarahTWD]

Wait until at least 16 weeks but even then it all depends on a lot of things as to whether you can hear hb. If you're overweight or have an anterior placenta you will struggle to find hb. I fall under both of these categories and only managed to find a hb yesterday at 18+5 with baby number 2 xx