Doppler - yes or no?

Get it just don’t over use it

I recommend having one. Definitely do not overuse it though! It does take a second to find the heartbeat the first time you use it (try to find the placenta first then the baby's heartbeat will be nearby). I bought the neevababy doppler and I've only used it about 4 times (I'm 28 weeks now) and I bought it when I was about 10 weeks. I was definitely glad I had it when I went to visit my family for my baby shower and ended up catching covid. Since I wasn't near my doctor I was able to update her on the baby's heart rate to make sure it was in a safe range. I don't really use it since I worry about frequency waves but just in case it gives me peace of mind to have one. Plus my doctor uses one every time I go in so I don't really need to use it.

I bought one and used it to check on baby’s heartbeat. It did work well for me but if you do it very early on, it’s very hard to find a heartbeat so you will worry a lot and get anxiety. I think I started using it around 11 weeks. I bought it earlier than that but didn’t use it until around 11 weeks because of the chances of being able to hear the heartbeat.

I didn’t get one. For me, I was worried it was a false sense of security. My doctor told me she had moms confuse the heartbeat for the placenta, since we don’t have a trained ear. I also know I would have driven myself crazy if I wasn’t able to find it right away. Personal choose, that was just my reasoning!

Just know that your doctor is there for you! If you ever are worried, give them a call. They can give you guidance or have you come in to double check

I highly recommend a doppler and you are far along to where you shouldn’t have too many issues finding heartbeat.

I recommend googling a video where you are trained on the different sounds you can hear. You’ll be able to hear your placenta, your own heartbeat, baby’s heartbeat and baby’s heart valves. You can even hear your baby move in there!

Being 18 weeks for you I highly recommend to make sure you use it on a full bladder, it makes a HUGE difference in finding the heartbeat!

It has helped tremendously with my anxiety 💙

I’m a midwife and you 100% should NOT get a Doppler!! X

I was told by multiple midwives that it’s ok to get one as long as you don’t overuse it, and know the difference between sounds.

In the UK we don’t advise this! X

No

Absoloutely not. You are not trained to use it like midwifes are and may mistake the placenta/blood flow through cord etc as the baby’s heartbeat.
Also, hearing heartbeat doesn’t mean everything is ok.
I’m in UK and it’s really not advised

don’t get one. I have one, I barely use it. Also, once your baby gets big enough to kick you, you will know they’re okay. I can almost never find the heartbeat with it and I’m very sure my baby is okay because they will start kicking you randomly and it will be all the assurance you need. and hearing the heartbeat isn’t always a sign of healthy. i trust kicks more than just hearing the heartbeat

My MW looked horrified at the mention of me getting one. Best not to. If you feel uneasy seek help in person:)

If you’re suffering from anxiety about things, perhaps speak to your midwife and consider a private scan or 2 if affordable for you. My midwife was kind and shortened the gap so I saw her more often - that way I knew I was getting a real check. I’ve only heard bad things about dopplers I’m afraid. People mistaking the placenta for the baby’s heartbeat or not finding it and being inconsolable, only to find all was ok.You need to do what you think is best for you and if you go ahead don’t let it override any instincts you have. Always seek professional advice if you have a concern eg reduced fetal movements when you’re further along xx

It's not recommended, however we got one just so my husband could hear the heartbeat. I never used it for reassurance. It was Covid so he couldn't attend any appointments 🤷🏽 I think we used it 6/7 times.

I’d definitely buy one, it helped me feel at ease if I was ever worried in the earlier trimesters, didn’t use it hardly in my third trimester but I’d definitely recommend it💕

Don’t do it! Midwives are trained and most likely to make you worry unnecessarily

For someone who has bought one I really wouldn’t recommend it to anyone tbh it’s doen me more harm than good

I personally loved using my Doppler! For me it was the reassurance I needed for myself as I have anxiety! I just wanted to be able to check on my baby whenever I felt worried. However Im not a medical professional and I can also understand that for some it might make them feel more anxious😅 But in my experience I was happy with purchasing one!

I absolutely loved mine I didn’t feel baby move until the end of the 3rd trimester because of my interior placenta so it always cured anxiety getting to hear her little heart beat.But I only used once a week and only for a minute or two at a time

get it if you want it. just remember it’s not certified medical equipment so don’t freak out if you’re not a pro and can’t find a beat 😊

Definitely not. It's not recommended because they're hard to use and can cause a lot of stress.

I’ve read that they’re not recommended for frequent/everyday use… I could be wrong, idk I never felt the need for one but I can imagine a lot of people would feel better with it

I loved mine! Don't remember the brand but it made me feel more at ease (had pregnancy issues with my second)

I got it and used it right..
Its so helpful and put your mind on ease but do watch some tutorials first before trying so you can differentiate between yours and babie’s heartbeat ..
But dont use too much !!

As long as I feel kicks twice a day and he hiccups like normal, that’s all I need to know that he’s growing and everything is normal. I don’t like any trackers of any sort- even the owlet socks Etc I’d rather not use them and stress myself out unnecessarily but that’s me 🙃 I’m very minimalistic in what baby products I use (or don’t use, rather)

I got one, used it twice but that’s all, I wouldn’t use it for reassurance as it’s not always easy to find the heartbeat in early pregnancy and I was told later on in pregnancy if you rely on it to check babies health, reduced movements can be monitored, no heartbeat can’t be saved and since then I’ve not used it, I opted for additional private scans during the routine NHS ones x

It all depends on how you are as person. The reason it's discouraged is bc sometimes people have issues, check the doppler, see a heartbeat and then dont go to the Dr's bc they assume everything Is fine when it's not. The doppler has fully been a life saver for me! My anxiety is so bad after having a previous miscarriage. Hearing the heart beat in between prenatal appointments every few days or once a week comforts me so much.

Definitely not. You can get false reassurance from them as you don't really know what you're looking for. If you're worried, go to triage - that's what they're there for. Any reduced movements etc would need to be checked out anyway. Better safe than sorry xx