Doppler question

[andreag]

I bought one of these at the weekend. I know it is still early, but I really would like to hear the heatbeat if possible before Chirstmas - I'll be 11.4 on Christmas day (at the least - maybe slightly more). I don't have a scan until 29 Dec.
The instructions which came with the doppler are rubbish though. It is a BF500+ with an electronic count. Biology not being my strong point, where exactly am I looking? I kept getting some sort of reading on the monitor on the far left - by my hip bone, but I couldn't here anything and it didn't stay on the monitor.

Could someone tell me where I should be looking please!!

Thanks
Andrea

 

[Melly+2]

you can usually her bubba from around 12 weeks but it 8is hard to find at first

 

[Riley's Mommy]

drink lots of luiquid. this should help move the baby up abit. my sonographer pushed the thing into the bottom of my belly.

hope this helps

im really wanting a doppler

 

[Melly+2]

they are great, i have lend mine to my pg friend, she loves it

 

[Riley's Mommy]

anyone know where to get one cheap?

 

[Melly+2]

i got mine on ebay for £30, it is the angel sounds one and it is brilliant

 

[lmarszall]

Hiya,

I think all dopplers are different with regards to sensitivty and stuff. I got one from ebay. A BF200 (like the 500 without dig display).

It says you can hear from 12 weeks but some do hear earlier. It depends on the position of baby, placenta etc.

I got mine at 13 + 6 and found the hb straight away but it is different with everyone. All my tips are are:

-Full bladder
- baby is alot lower than i expected
- put the probe in the centre right on your bikini line and wait a bit to see if you hear anything.
- If you hear nothing angle it slightly and wait. It takes a while to pick up so you should wait about 10 secs before you move it.
-You dont have to move the probe, just point it in a different direction.
- the hearbeat sound twice as fast as yours and like a galloping horse or train.
-Baby can move around alot which doesn't help
-Don't worry if you can't find it try again another day

Hope this helps,

Lau
xx

 

[andreag]

thanks for that.

I've asked my husband to hide it until Sunday evening and I'll have another go then. I'm at the mid wife on Thursday - if she's nice maybe she'll have a go.

Cheers
Andrea

 

[x-kirsty-x]

Hiya, I heard the baby at 9 weeks. I tried for ages then I read the instructions and it says 'The baby is usually lower down than you think' so I tried right above my bikini line (like lmarzall said!) and found it straight away! Full bladder helped too

Now he's easy to find, his fave spot is on my right side half way between my belly button and bikini line but he hates being prodded so he wriggles away when I try and hear him

 

[Hellokitty]

Yes i agree, I have the same doppler as you and you need to put it right at the top of your pubes!

Also don't move the doppler around on your skin, just slowly angle it around and keep it still for a few seconds before you move on. Otherwise you get loads of interference.

I found it very dificult until 14 weeks, now its pretty easy.

Some obstetricians recommend limiting doppler use to 5-10 minutes at a time and at infrequent intervals. This is not because they are dangerous, but because very little is know about the effects of continual usuage.

Remember we are the first generation of women to have these devices available cheaply for use at our leisure, so exercise a little caution...

 

[*saulino*]

Hi

My doc found mine at my 11 week prenatal so its different for every bean.
Katrina

 

[luci76]

I have got a Angel Sound, paid £30 Ebay.. Its Brill, I have been able to hear from 10 weeks, it is hard to find, place it just above pubic bone & slightly angle it down, baby heart beat should be around 160 per min so alot faster than yours, drink plenty of water before as your bladder pushes uterus up.. Good luck.. Dont worry if cant find it.. Still maybe to early everyone id different..

 

[Vicki & Nathan]

is it possible to buy one of these in shops? and if so which shops do you think might keep them?

 

[cloud9]

i never had one and after all the trouble the m/w's had finding my baby in hosp last week I am really glad i don't..i don't think my baby likes it everytime the m/w would get near he'd move away .The first time they did it it took the m/w about 30 mins to find heart beat and she does it every day.

I was also advised when my m/w did it at 15 weeks she might not hear it yet and if she didn't they wouldn't do anything till i was 20 weeks.

just my words of caution

 

[andreag]

Thanks for the words of caution. I still couldn't find it last night, so will put it away for the week. I was starting to worry because I couldn't find it but I guess it is still too early.

I have my scan on 29th but am so worried the baby has died that I wanted some reassurance before Christmas just so I could relax. I guess whatever happens, there is nothing I can do except relax, so I will try and do that. Loads to do before Christmas as well so hopefully the next couple of weeks will go quickly.

Thanks for all your help
Andrea

 

[andreag]

Had the scan and everything was fine. Am going to try the doppler again tonight as more than a weeki since I last did to try and find it, but on the scan h/b was fine. she didn't have any trouble finding baby!

 

[topbird]

That is good news!

Sorry to play devil's advocate here.... but are you sure the doppler thing is a good idea, it seems to be just stressing you out?

Every time I need reassurance I am pregnant I touch my boob (yep - still sore as hell) or try and get into a pair of work trousers that fitted me fine 2 months ago!

I can imagine it is lovely to have a machine that enables you to hear your baby's heart beat when ever you like, but I will not be getting one as I know what my temprement is like, I will get obsessed with hearing the heart beat and worry myself silly if I can't....

(not meaning to be antagonistic, just an opinion.....)