Opinions on dopplers at home?

They shouldn’t be used for reassurance! I have one purely for fun but for any reason you are worried you should speak to your midwife

I would defo get one iv got one and had it with my first pregnancy now I'm pregnant again only 10 weeks but I can here my baby heart beat it eases my anxiety I won't do it all the time but one a week is great. I live hearing its heart beat so many people told me of for getting one but its amazing. Its a personal choise hun if you want one get one and don't let anyone put you of x

I would say get one I bought one to keep me calm and at ease go for it mama! I listened to him almost every night and it totally made my day/night

The midwives still take ages using it to find the heartbeat. I know she's in there because I feel her all the time, so I don't get worried. I just tell the midwife it's usual that they can't find her heartbeat 😂 might take 10mins or so checking every inch of my belly

I understand anxiety but try and stay calm, keep rested, hydrated and take short walks when it's not to hot out like 5pm....anxiety can be very difficult however I do know therapy always helps me.

I believe the emit radiation. You should be careful with them. Avoid unnecessary exposing baby to radiation.

I just got one off of Amazon and my boyfriend and I had an amazing time using it. I tried to buy a good one (none of them were exactly cheap around $70 or so for the majority of them) If it would bring you peace of mine I'd definitely do your research and get one. It was allot of fun to hear his little heartbeat and we laughed so much watching him punch the probe away and kick in response to his home being poked and prodded... Does anyone here know of a really good brand? We're actually looking to buy another one since the one we got wasn't the best quality (it was the only one available for Amazon prime)

I found babies heartbeat at 9+1 🥰

I have one to ease the worrying and it’s really good, got mine off eBay it actually works, I’m around 18 weeks but was only 16/17 weeks when I first bought it and heard the heartbeat, you will need some ultrasound gel as other types of gel doesn’t work that good, I say go for it ☺️

I have a few fetal dopplers that I use. I bought multiple so I can test out chick one works best. It was recommended I get one due to me being high risk and my sons heartbeat was 70-80 bpm last time I went to the hospital. I keep tabs on my sons heart rate and update my doctor. So far it’s been pretty accurate. Maybe 8 beats off at most. It eases anxiety. I suggest you buy one and learn the different sounds and areas. Sometimes you can mix up your heartbeat or blood flow for your baby’s heart beat. I can give you some recommendations on good fetal dopplers that works pretty well and some even bake a beeping noise or lights up when it’s found it’s found baby’s heartbeat so it is much easier to determine what your hearing

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The ones I think are best that I’m currently using wound be the sonoline B fetal Doppler and the Neeva baby fetal Doppler. I have the pocket fetal Doppler of Amazon. Was 70 bucks and doesn’t work as good as these and these ones are cheaper

What ones are good?

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

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

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’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 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.

Never use a Doppler for reassurance 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. 🤦🏻‍♀️

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

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

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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😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

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.

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

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

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

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 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 :)

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

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.

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

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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.

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.

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

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.

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 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

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

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.

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!

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 😊

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 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.

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