Should I, or Shouldn't I?

[helle]

I am about this close *holds thumb and index finger a ridiculously small width apart* to buying a doppler from ebay. I have one pro and one con.

Pro, I'll be able to hear bubbies heart beat whenever I want, easing all my insecurities that it's died without me knowing

Con, I don't know how hard they are to use and if I can't find bubbies heart beat I'll be a flying mess to the nearest Dr's surgery.

Thoughts? Has anyone used one of these before and thought it to be more trouble than it's worth? Or found them to be brilliant?

TIA

[*LovemyKids*]

Ok so i was just like you i was that close to buying one as well, UNTIL

someone said to me what happens if you buy one and you can hear your babies heart beat oh so nice. then the next day you wake up and and the bubs has moved and you cant find the heart beat you are going to stress out run to the hospital or doctor only for them to tell you oh bubs has moved bubs is fine heart beat is just over here now!!!!
Also i think dont quote me but arent they bad for bubs if you use them too much?? I know that you won't use it too much but just be careful

So i did not buy one!!!

Good luck with your decision

[helle]

ooh, I was always under the impression they were like a really sensitive microphone?

hmmm

[paradise lost]

Personally, given the absence of long-term studies on the safety of repeated doppler use in pregnancy (DD was listened to a total of 8 times, including labour) i would err on the side of caution and not get one. Imagine years later you found out repeated listening in was actually detrimental to the babe's development... Plus with a doppler you can't adjust the level of ultrasound you're using. Everything i've read says that "prudent use has not indicated harm" and i suppose to me it's not prudent to listen all the time to make myself feel better, when it doesn't benefit the baby and i can't gaurantee it does no harm.

Just my 2c, i know many mothers are comforted by dopplers, i'm just not one of them

Bx

[Floweryfields]

Personally I think you would be risking harming the bub more by getting overly stressed if you couldn't find the heartbeat kwim.

[helle]

thanks girls, I'm definately agreeing with you
I'm just having a weak moment today I think (:

[Taurean]

I agree with the others. As nice as it would be hearing bubs every day, you would totally freak out if you couldn't find the heartbeat. That little baby will be kicking up a storm before you know it so you'll have enough going on inside to reassure you that all is ok.

Step away from ebay...

[Fleur]

Although there are some mornings where I don't feel anything for a bit & then I'm wishing for a doppler ....

....There have been times where I have been for antenatal appts & they have had trouble finding the hb due to bubs position - I know she's there because I've felt her moving moments earlier! It seems that has been a much more reliable indicator that everything's fine.

Out of pure curiosity, can I ask how much?

[Salad]

I had a doppler when I was pregnant with georgia after 2 losses I really felt I needed something to ease my mind. A real important reason why I had one is that I live in a small country town, and I had planned to have the baby in melbourne which is 2 hours from where I live. There is a hospital 25 mins from me but I refuse to go there because of past bad experiences. So for me if I thought something was wrong it wasnt just a quick trip to the hospital to have the heartbeat checked - it was a day trip.
I got mine at about 20 weeks, if I was concerned about bubs, I would drink ice cold water first or lie in a certain position to get bubs moving - I would only use the doppler if I was really concerned. I never had an issue with finding the heartbeat although it did take longer on some occasions.
It is a personal choice but for me it was a good one.

[helle]

Jasp, they range from 10 bucks to about 260

Thanks girls, you're right! I'll give it a miss I think. If I feel that bad I can make a trip to the Dr, it's only 20 minutes away.

Thanks for helping me through one of my weaker moments!