Tell me why I should or shouldn't buy.....

[blessedatlast]

A doppler...

Cons: Cost,
is it safe for the baby if used frequently
Undue distress if baby is in a difficult position and I can't find it

Pros: Peace of mind when I can find the heartbeat.
Daddy can hear it too


I realise the cons outweigh the pro's but maybe peace of mind outweighs all that?? What do you think. I don't want to overuse it, and I don't think I would. Maybe just weekly in between Dr's appointments. Ok maybe twice weekly..

[Traveller]

The main concern I have with dopplers is that women sometimes seek reassurance from hearing a heartbeat when they really need to speak to a midwife or OB. Knowing that there is a heartbeat does not mean everything is fine, sometimes the heartbeat can be pathological yet because it was present the mother did not seek help

I would personally have concerns with the frequent ultrasound waves for the baby too. However I appreciate the jury is still out on this subject. If you really need the reassurance have you considered a fetoscope instead? Both you and your OH could listen to baby as many times as you wanted with no ultrasound waves.

[blessedatlast]

What is a fetoscope? Never heard of it.. Off to google now. Lol

Knowing that there is a heartbeat does not mean everything is fine, sometimes the heartbeat can be pathological yet because it was present the mother did not seek help

I realise that, however I would always seek help if I was concerned.

ETA: Aaah, a special type of stethoscope. Shame I couldn't hear the HB with my normal stethoscope..

[misty]

There are other devices on the market with which you can listen to babies heartbeat that are likely much cheaper. Even a basic stethescope (sp?) can be used to hear the babies heartbeat.

[Traveller]

I figured you probably would, and being medically trained you would probably have an idea what you were listening to aswell. It's just my initial reaction when someone says they are getting a doppler as I've heard a few too many horror stories.

[blessedatlast]

Even a basic stethescope (sp?) can be used to hear the babies heartbeat.

Must be too early I just tried and couldn't hear anything, so I googled and it said from 18wks you can use a normal stethoscope. I might just do that

ETA: Hopefully I will be able to feel Button move more frequently anyway so wont be so anxious. I can feel little movements but they are very light and irregular.

[LuluHB]

I had one and used it infrequently throughout my pregnancy with DD1. I had absolutely no confidence that I would not miscarry again, and once I passed the "safe" period for miscarriage I then had no confidence I would birth a live baby. It saved me on those infrequent occasions from having a complete meltdown. FWIW, I didn't use it once with DD2 - didn't have the need.

[Razzberry]

I know the jury is out on he safety of frequent ultrasounds and dopplers, but just wanted to say I had ultrasounds from week 7-38 approx every 2 weeks, most were only for a minute or so, but still! anyways, My DD is fine!!

[misty]

Must be too early I just tried and couldn't hear anything, so I googled and it said from 18wks you can use a normal stethoscope. I might just do that

ETA: Hopefully I will be able to feel Button move more frequently anyway so wont be so anxious. I can feel little movements but they are very light and irregular.

Could just be too early. We have been able to hear bus with a stethescope. My midwive has used a funnel to listen as well, and DH can sometimes hear her heartbeat now if he just lays his ear directly on my belly - provided she is laying in the right position.

[~Hestia~]

I never thought I'd be the one to get a doppler, but after my m/c it has given me some peace of mind with this pregnancy. I know it can't change anything but it has been wonderful for me to just pop it on and hear that heartbeat. I was using it around once per week and as soon as I got the heartbeat I would switch it off. Now that I'm feeling bubs move on a regular basis I'm not using it much and will probably send it back soon. If I had any concerns I would be straight to my GP or hospital but as i said it was great for just confirming that all was as well as it could be. There has been a few times where I haven't picked it up, I just go to the loo and try again in 10mins or so and there it is

When I was pregnant with my son I tried to get a heartbeat with my stethescope - but never did! Then my midwife told me to use an empty toilet roll. That didn't work for us either so maybe it was my little guy's position. But it's worth a try!

[Arcadia]

My main issue with any form of monitoring like that is that it feeds into anxiety and creates an environment where you're not trusting your body or that things will be okay. I understand yours is a unique situation so I hope this view doesn't offend you.

[onthefly]

With DS our OB used the stethoscope from a little later on in the pregnancy, so maybe it won't be too much longer till you can just use that. Baby's movement is probably a better indicator
I agree with Arcadia about feeding anxiety. I understand why you need the extra reassurance, but that may be better gained through close contact with a caring and understanding caergiver, as well as taking time to care for yourself.
I hope you're doing well adn baby is kicking up a storm soon

[blessedatlast]

Yeah, I'm not that paranoid. I'm doing quite well actually. I don't think I'll bother. I am closely monitored anyway, at least every 2 - 4 weeks I'll have an appointment.

My main issue with any form of monitoring like that is that it feeds into anxiety and creates an environment where you're not trusting your body or that things will be okay. I understand yours is a unique situation so I hope this view doesn't offend you.

Not offended, but ROFL at trusting my body and that everything will be ok. Once I passed 12wks with the twins I thought things would be ok. Then once I got the stitch in at 19wks I thought things would be ok. When my babies were born alive at 24wks I thought things *may* be ok. They weren't and I don't trust my body. It failed my babies. They were perfect, it was my body that couldn't hold them which is what caused their death.. In my case increased monitoring doesn't make me more anxious, it makes me less anxious. The fact that I have the option to be closely monitored makes me see the need for it less. However I also had 2 big bleeds at 10 and 12wks, which increased my anxiety. I think I'm coping quite well though.. It's just going to be a long 9wks to get passed 24wks.. Lots of milestones to focus on in this pregnancy..

[Ozziehoffy]

Abs, I think you are indeed doing a brilliant job with your coping!! love ya heaps

[blessedatlast]

Thanks, I'm a big brave Mummy! Being at the hospital is hard. Lots of triggers that make me feel right back where I was 2 and a half years ago..

[nattyfred]

If you think anything will give you peace of mind, then you should do it You have good reason to stress and to recognize that and try to alleviate it is probably the most comforting thing you can do. So if you want one = pro, if you dont = con lol

[Arcadia]

BAL...I didn't know your full story and feel a little sheepish now...

[blessedatlast]

It's ok Arcadia, it is hard to trust my body when I feel it has let me down so much. It also comes from TTC as well. It took me years to fall pregnant, I was with my current partner for 3yrs before the twins were conceived. Then it took clomid to conceive this baby. I just feel like my body has failed me in that way, especially because I'm so maternal, and being a mother is all I have ever wanted. It is a hard pill to swallow when you hear of young drug addicts managing to fall pregnant and carry a baby to term when i do all the 'right' things and still don't get to take my baby home at the end. I am working through all this stuff though, slowly, but surely. At the beginning of this pregnancy I meditated and focused on trusting my body and my baby. So far, so good apart from the bleeds