Opinions on dopplers at home?

It will make your anxiety worse if you can’t find a heart beat. If you have concerns about your pregnancy you should contact your healthcare provider for reassurance. Unless you’re a trained midwife/health visitor/sonographer then you really don’t need to be using a Doppler at home.

I second this! Midwifes say you shouldn't but a doppler xx

Definitely do not buy a Doppler. They are unreliable and only trained professionals should use them. It will make your anxiety worse and some people have used them and thought everything was fine so didn’t get checkout out but it wasn’t. Always call your midwife or GP if you’re concerned and get looked at properly x

As long as you aren't using it to diagnose an issue it's fine to get one. I would wait until after 20 weeks. Then the baby is big enough where they can't hide and you will always hear the heartbeat. Obviously if you think there is a problem go to the hospital. My pediatrician didn't see anything wrong with it 🤷🏻‍♀️

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I have anxiety disorder and PTSD. I had anxiety either way so why not at least get to enjoy listening to my babies heartbeat every evening.

I think it would be fine if she wasn’t already really anxious. Might make things unnecessarily worse for her x

Im 16 weeks and have a Doppler, this is my second pregnancy so I've had lots of practice with it. However if you're anxious about the pregnancy I wouldn't recommend you buy one as it's really difficult to find a heartbeat especially this early on, so it would probably make you more anxious than ease your worries x

People think with a Doppler they find the heartbeat and that’s that. But because we aren’t qualified midwives finding the heartbeat doesn’t always mean everything is okay I wouldn’t do it as it will make you worry more xx

Midwifes don’t recommend at home dopplers - they should only be used by professionals as if you have no experience you could be hearing your own heartbeat or the vibration of the placenta and not have any idea what your listening too and as a result not picking up on potential problems. More importantly, your doctor or midwife is trained to operate a doppler. They know what all the sounds mean — there’s a lot going on in there! — and they know what’s concerning (and what’s not). At-home fetal dopplers can also be potentially harmful because they can give you a false sense of reassurance - I would stay away from the doppler and leave it to the professionals but obviously it’s your choice xx

If you're already anxious, don't do it. Chat to your doctor or OB and maybe ask for a few extra checks along the way to ease your anxiety.

I was told when I went to my first appointment to not be concerned if we could not hear the heartbeat for the first two appointments. I’ve heard that the Dopplers aren’t super reliable, and can cause more anxiety because you can’t find the heartbeat.

My midwife said it’s hard to hear unless your 16-18 weeks and even then you can confuse your own heart beat with the babies. Can you hold off until your 16 week midwife appointment then ask her to check it? Hearing my own little one was so reassuring as I’d had food poisoning around 13 weeks and felt panicky for ages afterwards

The problem with a doppler is that you might mistake your own heartbeat for the babies heartbeat and there is a danger that you might not pay as much attention to other signs of something being wrong etc like reduced movement etc if you are frequently hearing a heartbeat on a doppler which might not be baby's heartbeat it might be your own. If you are 14 weeks you will be starting to feel movement very soon and that is a far more reliable indicator of things being ok than a doppler

I wanted to do the same. I was so anxious because I’d already let my ex husband convince me that I’d never get pregnant. So I hold this baby so near and dear to my heart. I wanted to make sure everything was okay. I didn’t end up buying it. Just stay positive. Repeat positive affirmations for this pregnancy. “I am healthy. My baby is alive and thriving. We are great.” I am such an anxious person, but only you have control of your thoughts. So, make them positive ones. It’s hard, but I’m officially 30 weeks and I thank all my positive affirmations for it. For surrounding myself with the most positive of environments.

I had a friend who got a Doppler because her pregnancy was high risk and COVID hit at the end of her first trimester. She ended up giving it back to the doctor because it was increasing her anxiety.

I used one in my first pregnancy and was happy with it. I'm now pregnant again 10 weeks and will do it again but will wait two more weeks 😊

Me personally I think they are great I’m a first time mom I’m due March 12th most of my family is healthcare and didn’t see anything wrong with using to find his heartbeat due to my anxiety and hearing his heartbeat and seeing the heart rate eases my anxiety I even asked my ob what he thought and he told me to be careful don’t press down super hard just enough to find his heart rate and my little man likes to play hide and seek already I’ll find him in one spot and he will move to the other side of my stomach and keeps this going for awhile I can feel small movements of him like moving around in there a lot more but trust your gut mama!

Unless you’re trained to find your baby’s heartbeat it’ll likely just lead to anxiety and worry. The baby is small and can be hard to find, and sounds from you can be easy to mistake for it. It’s not worth it IMO.

Apparently its too difficult to find the babies heart beat and most of the time you find your own. I think it would probably make you feel worse xx

I loved having my Doppler but I’m also a L&D nurse so I can find the heartbeat, which is different from the sound of the blood flow to the placenta and my own heartbeat. I could see how it could increase anxiety if you’re inexperienced. I stopped using it once I felt her moving constantly around 24 weeks

I just purchased my Doppler and I did it so that my daughter who is almost 9 can hear the heartbeat and bond with baby since she can’t attend appointments with covid happening. It sends a guide on how to find the heartbeat. You can hear the heartbeat at 8 weeks. It’s distinct but could give anxiety if your not as familiar with what it sounds like.

I had one baby was born September 9th.I would check her heartbeat once a week no more ! I think it’s a great tool to have especially being pregnant during a pandemic.

There’s an app called shell and it’s a Doppler and actually works. Takes some time to figure out but easy once you do

If you are struggling with anxiety I would not recommend a Doppler as it will only add to your anxiety if you cannot find the heartbeat. It is something you should be trained in. You can easily confuse the heartbeat with the blood flow from the placenta.

I would wait until you're about 20 weeks. I had terrible anxiety until I got my doppler and it gives me peace of mind whenever I need it. My placenta is at the front so don't always feel his movements. I know to look out for a heart rate of 140-160 anything under that is placenta. When your own midwife does the doppler she'll tell you the heart rate of baby and it gives you something to look out for if you were to get your own.

I have one from Baby Doppler and it’s been helpful for my anxiety. I asked my OB about it and she told me the best way to find baby. It’s lower than you think! Also, the dopplers purpose is to search for movement so don’t move it around really fast, take time in between moving it so it can actually search and move around your starting point slightly before moving over by one doppler wands head space. I’ve been able to hear heartbeat at home and I’m 11 weeks 4 days.

I had one with my last pregnancy so my older children could try find the heartbeat. Didn’t happen until later in pregnancy tho. I will be getting one for this pregnancy also so they can have the challenge again. Just know it is hard and unlikely you’ll be able to find it yourself until later in the pregnancy

I found the heartbeat every time with mine! The bigger they get the more confident you get with knowing where it is! I would say to not use it until you’re past 20 weeks though! (Much easier to find💗)

I found 2 of my babies heartbeats at 9 weeks, there is videos on YouTube to help you pinpoint, it can take a while to find but patience is key. It sounds like a train ❤️

I have 2 dopplers they are great currently planning to sell one. And yes u should be able to hear a heart beat at 14wks

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How much!

$45 i would have to send it to u

I did get a Doppler around 16 weeks, I would definitely consider watching a few videos to make sure you know what you are listening for, the sounds are completely different, babies heartbeat sounds like a horse trotting super fast, placenta has two speeds, one that matches babies heart rate and one that matches yours but it’s a definite whooshing sound, you can also hear you own heartbeat too! I listen to babies heart beat most days with mine, and can find him super quick now I’ve got used to it, and it really has helped with my anxiety!

I got one and no matter how many times people say it’s dangerous.. I really couldn’t be more grateful of it putting my mind at ease many times an I’m 12wks2 with a super strong heart beat being picked up. However if you haven’t used before give yourself chance and time you won’t get it straight away xx

I personally wouldn’t get a Doppler especially if you are anxious as you may not be able to find the heartbeat to start with which will add to this, also I was told you can pick up the sounds of your placenta and mistake it for a heartbeat if you’re not sure what you’re listening for, as difficult as it is I would wait until your appointment to listen xx

I had one w last pregnancy I felt it helped. It is tricky to use but helped my anxiety

I have one that I bought due to my daughters father not being able to attend appointments with me. I bought mine after my 1st trimester ended and still had a hard time finding her heartbeat until about 15-16 weeks. They say not to get them because it can increase your stress and anxiety but i had someone show Me how to use mine and distinguish baby’s heart beat from my own. And I also kept in mind that I am not a trained medical professional, so I didn’t let it stress me out to much if I couldn’t find her heartbeat. I’m currently 33 weeks and I don’t use it much anymore because now I feel and see baby moving so much that I no longer need any reassurance between my weekly appointments.

It can be hard to find the heartbeat that early. Sometimes the babies like to hide

i have one and use it daily!

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Me too. I have anxiety and just to hear his heartbeat calms me down so much.

I stopped once I started feeling the movements :)

Tbh I used one when went to Turkey one night I couldn't here her so massive panic attack tears the works 😂 went straight for the scan all was ok I was listening to the wrong thing people mistake the womb sound for the heartbeat but when u actually no how to use it and what to look for u be ok ❤️ remember u can always listen at the hospital put your mind at ease xx

I bought a Doppler and it helped my anxiety !!! You should definitely get one 😁

Is anyone that has one actually trained to use it? Or are you just watching YouTube videos to find out how it works?

I went to my midwife appt yesterday and she said it's best not to invest in a doopler beacuse theres so meany sounds that are going on, if you have any issuws go in amd see them and they will be able to tell u :) also i got told that it cause more anxiety

You should ! I use mines very very minimal. But it does help ease anxiety. The way I distinguish his heartbeat from mine is his is around 150 / 160 range. And I always check for the Heartbeat very low. That’s where baby should be right now.

Have you guys tried an app called Shell by bellabeat. It is supposed to let you hear the heartbeat. I’ve tried it and I do hear something that sounds like a heart beat but I’m just not sure if it’s accurate.

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😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

I had severe anxiety regarding my pregnancy in the earlier days. I bought a doppler at 16 weeks (against lots of peoples advice saying it would stress me out more etc) and it has been a god send. If you do choose to buy one, take the time to learn the different sounds, as the doppler picks up your heart beat, the placenta sounds and baby movement as well as the babies heartbeat and you need to know how to pick out the correct one. There are some good videos on youtube about this. Also, don’t rely on it for medical reasons. If you are worried about anything or have concerns about baby, call your midwife, don’t just take finding the heartbeat on the doppler as reassurance. If you are able to sensibly follow all of the above using common sense, I say go for it. It helped me so much, I would use it once a week from 16 weeks up until my 20 weeks scan, and I still check in now from time to time if i’m having a down day and just want to hear his little heart to make me smile! X

If you’re struggling with anxiety, i don’t think you should get one, the heart beat is hard to find and even if you do find it, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing wrong It could make you feel or at ease or make your anxiety worse xx

My friend used her Doppler every single day after 16 weeks (that’s when she could pick it up daily). She had experienced a late-term loss in a previous pregnancy and she is adamant that having that Doppler saved her sanity while she grew her sweet rainbow baby. She’s actually mailing it to me, so I’ll def be using it!!

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On second thought, I think it may increase anxiety if you can’t consistently find the heartbeat, as an untrained person. I only think of this bc I just had my second prenatal appt today (12 weeks) and I’m doing everything through a teaching hospital, so a resident in training did my stuff under supervision today. ANYWAYYYY it took her 20 minutes to find the heartbeat and I was not NOT about to panic and jump out the window in my pap-smear gown, ass to the wind and tummy full of jelly. It was stressful. Haha for both of us, honestly. Bless her.

12 weeks is tough for anyone to find a heartbeat with a Doppler, that’s why most OBs will use an ultrasound or even a transvaginal ultrasound at this stage. I’m trained and would not try to use a Doppler in a professional setting until 16 weeks. After that you shouldn’t have too much of a problem. The resident is a resident though and not even as trained as a L&D nurse, and even a L&D nurse wouldnt spend 20 min with a Doppler. 🤦🏻‍♀️

Never use a Doppler for reassurance xx

I wouldn't use one for reassurance and not sure id get one. Can u imagine if there was no heart beat, or ot was irregular. I think for me id leave it to the professionals and just go down when I need to. Its what the medics and midwives are paid for.

I’ve had severe anxiety my whole pregnancy due to it starting off as a twin pregnancy then we lost one so I bought one & it has brought me so much joy. I love listening to his heartbeat & making videos. Also w Covid going on & nobody really being able to be at the appointments it gives them a sense of connection to the baby as well to be able to see it in person & not by FT or on a video

I bought one and loved it. I found my daughter's heartbeat at 10 weeks (took forever) but I'm also a labor nurse. I think it would be very easy to get confused/ stressed out with all the different sounds but once you find it, it's very fast and distinct; if you aren't finding the heartbeat do not let that stress you out, it can be very difficult depending on the size of your baby and location of placenta. I thought it was totally worth it for myself and great for those early weeks when you can't feel any movement

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Is it safe to use a few times a week if you just find baby and turn it off? You see so many scary things online 😵‍💫

That's what I basically did, maybe used it twice a week for short periods. Once I could feel her then id only use it for random spot checks once in awhile when I got nervous. I would say always check with your doctor to see their opinion. I wasn't sure how safe or unsafe it was because there seems to be minimal information but in pregnancy it seems less is always best. My doctor was not concerned about it though so check with yours!

I’m 14 weeks today and received my Doppler today. I couldn’t find the heartbeat after 10 mins and got worried I could only find the placenta it sounds like a whooshing sound that sounds similar to the heartbeat. My partner found the heartbeat within 2 mins,really low near my underwear line x

Don't give in to your anxiety, talk to your obgyn about how you've been feeling