Doppler with waterproof probe / suitable for waterbirth

[summer15]

Hi ladies, I'm going to be giving birth in hospital and hoping to be able to use a birthing pool. I've not yet used a doppler in my pregnancy (apart from the midwives one) but want my own for labour.
I see the Sonoline or angel sounds one have good reviews and seem popular - but can't tell whether the probe is waterproof or whether you can buy a waterproof cover etc? ...

Thanks xxx

 

[GF91]

I think U'll find the hospital will only want to use their own Dopplers while your in hospital as they are hospital graded & checked frequently to make sure they are working correctly. I really wouldn't waste ur money on one just for that x

 

[Lucyboo]

Yes I agree with gf91 also I done a waterbirth workshop and they will check you with their own doppler every few mins themselves as only way of monitoring in the water so don't think you need to worry about buying one just for that x

 

[summer15]

I know it's kind of silly ... Basically it's due to an indirect experience, when I was 15 I was babysitting a family friends 2 kids whilst she went into hospital to have her 3rd. The baby died during labour because she wasn't monitored enough, hospital was very busy and short staffed and they didn't notice his heartbeat was dropping/baby was in distress. The post mortem revealed he was perfect in every other way and the hospital admitted neglect (but let's face it what can compensate for the unnecessary loss of a child?). Such a tragic (and extremely rare) event but it's tainted my memory and I know I will panic if the maternity unit is really busy when I go into labour.
Do you think they would mind if I brought my own? Hopefully I would never need it if I feel Im being monitored regularly but I'd rather waste the money for the peace if mind knowing its in my bag ..

Xxx

 

[Nutsyputs]

When I had my first the maternity ward was very busy to the point they closed to admissions and people were being sent 50 miles away to another hospital as all the hospitals in the county were the same. The midwife we had barely left the room, in actually fact I don't remember her leaving at all. Every 10/15 mins she would check baby and when his heart began to rise I got moved out of pool and put on ctg. hospitals make mistakes but they are so rare.

 

[Carla81]

I dont think they will allow u to use your own. A friend of mine was terrified something was going to go wrong during labour, i dont know why she was just convinced! Anyway she was told she couldnt use her own doppler as it is not hospital standard and mw's are not usually keen on home dopplers as they can be unreliable. Babys heart rate varies during different stages of labour anyway and as u are not trained to know what is normal / safe / unsafe they will only allow monitoring of baby to be done by trained mw's. Obviously i dont know what your hosp's view would be. This is just what my friend was told on arriving at hosp and wanting to use it. Maybe u could discuss your concerns with your mw and i am sure she can reassure u. Like others have said mistakes do happen but ones like u mentioned are extremely rare x

 

[summer15]

Thanks for your replies / advice ladies. You are right - this happened 10 years ago and I'm certain a very rare and tragic occurance - just one of those awful things that sticks in your mind. I'll mention it to my midwife and hopefully she can reassure me xxx

 

[Mummybexee]

alot has changed in 10 years. regulations and increased knowledge of movements etc.

youll find that your midwife will check for heartbeat with their doppler on a regular basis and will always ask if baby is moving ok - even during labour.