Fetal doppler

[PeanutButter]

Hi
My doppler came this afternoon and I tried it and I think it's broken! Set it up how it tells me to, applied it to gel on my lower belly and turned it on and herd nothing not even the static stuff or my own HB. I wasn't expecting to hear baby's HB but thought if try it. And when I have it on and trying to listen for anything it randomly turns off... does this sound broken to you or am I using it wrong?
It's called floureon pocket fetal doppler and had good reviews on amazon. Anyone tried this one? X

 

[Rose83]

Haven't tried that one. Mine makes a noise as soon as it touches my stomach so you would never think it was off. Baby oil works well instead of gel so you could try that? X

 

[lisey]

I think it sounds broken, is it completely silent or do you get some sound. Mine makes a really loud noise as soon as touches belly, like it would if you knocked a microphone xxx

 

[Pemsy]

I don't know if it's broken but I did read an article warning against using them yourself. Apperntly they're only recommended for use by a professional. A lot of people have panicked about babies hb and it's been merely due to improper use. I think I also read that it's use should be limited as they do not know the long term effects of extended exposure.

However, I can't remember where I read the article so it could be an armature blog rather than based on medical facts x

 

[Blisa]

I have one of these! Make sure you've totally pushed the wire connection into the machine/speaker itself! You have to give it a good push till it clicks! X

 

[PeanutButter]

I got it working, it was the bloody wire!! It wouldn't push in more had to really try!!!

I don't think I got the HB I think I kept hearing the placenta, was like a woosh sound, but it's in the exact place I keep getting a stabbing pain! Ill give it ago next week.

Thanks for replying ladies x

 

[Blisa]

http://www.fetaldopplerfacts.org/facts/dopplers/fetal-heartbeat-doppler-sounds.php

Not sure if this will help you at all, however this helped me alot when trying to find her hb, seems to be quite a different noise between 8 weeks & 20ish! Hope your hearing it soon! X

 

[lisey]

I got it working, it was the bloody wire!! It wouldn't push in more had to really try!!!

I don't think I got the HB I think I kept hearing the placenta, was like a woosh sound, but it's in the exact place I keep getting a stabbing pain! Ill give it ago next week.

Thanks for replying ladies x

9 weeks is pretty early to get it so maybe will have more luck in a week or so. I first got doppler when I was 11 weeks. Hb was always v close to Placenta and you have to go really low at that stage, right on public bone and try to tilt under a little xx

 

[louise2610]

Ladies, midwives are dead against you having these Doppler.s. They are specifically trained to understand what they are hearing timings, sounds etc and what exactly they mean. This training can't be bought on the internet. Additionally it may cause you more stress than anything else not to mention driving your partner stir crazy. I personally didn't get one and looked forward to every appointment where I heard the heartbeat as a treat and it was truly beautiful. If somebody keeled over on the street and was unconscious you wouldn't check for a hb and say yeah found one - he's fine and walk away would you...

 

[Emily0505]

I used a Doppler nearly daily throughout my first trimester. Hearing the HB brought me so much reassurance after suffering three MCs.

However, it should never be a substitute for seeking medical advice, especially when you get further along in your pregnancy.

I found my bubs at 9 weeks but only for a few seconds before she moved and I couldn't find it again. I found it really low down basically along the line of pubic hair near enough!

XX

 

[lisey]

To be fair, doctors and midwives are against alot of things that people do in life. I agree with Emily, later on in pregnancy it shouldn't be used as a reassurance if you have reduced movements etc as the midwives need to check themselves.
I would have gone mad with anxiety without the doppler, after multiple losses, it gave me peace of mind to check in on baby regularly. My midwife wouldn't check hb until 25 weeks, no way I could wait that long xx

 

[Blisa]

I use mines for reassurance too, my midwife also knows I do this, she never advised it no, however said that alot of ladies do have one & there wasn't a problem really. I'm going to stop using mine after Thursday part 2 to my 20 week scan as little miss decided to hide in the placenta!
I think reassurance is such a nice thing to have especially after a loss or losses! x

 

[Lolie14]

I used mine a lot too during my first pregnancy, it does calm you if you have suffered a previous loss. I stopped once I could feel baby moving as I felt I no longer needed it. My MW wasn't bothered that I had one but just reiterated that movement was important and to call if anything changed.

 

[russellmuscle]

To be fair, doctors and midwives are against alot of things that people do in life. I agree with Emily, later on in pregnancy it shouldn't be used as a reassurance if you have reduced movements etc as the midwives need to check themselves.
I would have gone mad with anxiety without the doppler, after multiple losses, it gave me peace of mind to check in on baby regularly. My midwife wouldn't check hb until 25 weeks, no way I could wait that long xx

Totally agree with this.

Alot of us ladies are well aware even with a first that these doppers aren't always recommended by Drs. Alot of the sites selling or renting also express that should the mother have any concern to seek medical attention. As we are reminded weekly at appointents and scans. I always given a leaflet on movement and asked how active baby was...

If someone keeled over in the street you probaby wouldn't have a doppler handy in your pocket? But in any sense the time when listening to the doppler is irrelevant. My MW checked every other week. Never had an issue but there have been loads of cases where babies have been lost even after a doppler sounding from a dr or mw or after a scan so really these things aren't life or death measures. Not to mention trained people can be off too. When it comes to pregnancy even with the best gear. There is alot unknown.

They are purely for an extra look in and when used at home more for the private use to listen in for fun. Who doesn't love to hear their childs heartbeat?

I used mine every now and then with my first and once with my second. I really don't see the big issue. If it helps someone sleep at night I'm all for it. Undue stress isn't good for the baby either along with soft cheese etc etc

xxx

 

[PeanutButter]

Still can't find the baby's HB, just more disappointed then worried lol! I keep hearing wind blowing inky on the right what is this?
I have a scan every Friday, so that's puts my mind at ease, until mid week anyway lol! X

 

[Blisa]

The wind blowing noise is usually the placenta! I always thought the whooshing noise was but apparently that's your blood flow x

 

[Leighwiltshire]

your lucky to find it before 12 weeks, most midwives dont let you listen till your further than 12 weeks as they struggle to hear it!

they are fab for reassurance and putting a smile on your face

 

[PeanutButter]

I was just hoping id be one of the ones who hears it's early lmao. Tbh my recurrent miscarriges consultant said the pregnancy looks very healthy and my chances of miscarriage now are so slim, and he sees the HB within seconds. He wants to discharge me back to regular antenatal care after the next scan I think but ima ask for it after 12 weeks. I still worry which is normal obviously, and I was hoping the doppler would help! X

 

[Leighwiltshire]

i was discharged from the EPU after 9 weeks, they were more than happy, heartbeat just after 6 weeks and definite growth by 9 weeks!

chances of MC after a heartbeat drop dramatically.

the doppler really helps, i struggled to get mine as my placenta is at the front, and i find even tho im so far on he sits very low in my pelvis, his heartbeat is usually on my bikini line to the left, which is where i get odd cramping xx

 

[Tigeress]

Glad you got it working hun.
Took me forever to find mine, I looked at a youtube video and managed to find it.

Go to your knickers line/bone and point it under it diagonally. As far in and diagonal as you can without it being uncomfy. I found mine within seconds after 3 weeks of trying. (Found ruths when I was 10 weeks and managed to record on laptop at 12). Hope this helps! Xx