Fetal heartbeat Doppler

Following x

They do work..as in they turn on and make a sound but how can you be sure they are actually picking up baby's heartbeat and not just making a heart rate sound similar to what baby's should be

I have decided against it because everything I've read is that is best not to use them unless you are trained professional because you won't know whether you are actually picking up baby's heartbeat or something else ....and could cause unnecessary worry if you can't find it (which is easy to do if you aren't trained) or could create a false sense of confidence if you pick up something else and think is all okay and don't go to the hospital when needed....so best thing is after 28 weeks to monitor baby movements

I've used with all 3 pregnancies. The first 2 I could hear clearly but this one not so much but they are definitely a wriggler!!!

Well will only speak from my personal experience. Despite the advice against not using one, I bought one anyway. I have an anterior placenta and I have suffered 8 miscarriages before. I started using mine at 12 weeks and I am currently 25weeks. It has kept me reassured whenever I don’t feel baby as much. Infact it’s a bonding experience for baby and I. You just need to know how to use it, the difference between your heart beat and baby’s , where to check as the pregnancy progresses. I use it almost everyday. Apart from hearing his heartbeat, I can hear when baby moves around. Sometimes we play hide and seek. I could catch his heart beat and I am listening, then he moves away and I catch it somewhere else. Sometime he pokes the doppler and it’s so fun.

This is just my own experience. I tried to make it fun while using it and not panic.

My advice is do you!!

My midwife actually is completely against them! Without me even mentioning one she was very clear to not buy them due to people using them at home and then more stillbirths happening!

I’ve used it and learned to distinguish heartbeat form other other sounds. However, in my second pregnancy hearing heartbeat wasn’t reassuring really because I was more scared of baby’s movement (is he moving enough or on the same pattern etc) because heartbeat alone isn’t an indicator that’s everything is ok. I barely used it second time round and went to triage for peace of mind, they always treated me kindly and never turned away.
So I basically wouldn’t recommend one.
Even if you don’t get concerned with anything, your midwife will offer you to listen to the heartbeat at your appointments and that’s always been nice.

Some mixed reviews.. but thank you all! I’d not thought of asking my midwife, so I’ll do that and see what she says xx

Do not rely on it, if you feel something isn’t right go and get checked. Your midwife will probably not encourage it, as you can mistake a baby’s heart beat with placenta and even your own heart beat.

I have previously used in 2 of my pregnancies but my mum was a midwife so knew what she was listening for, I never done it on my own.