[miss-petal]

So I'm thinking of hiring a Doppler for me to use to try and put my mind at ease during the early part of pregnancy until I can start feeling regular movements.
There are a lot of online suppliers I have found, does anyone have any recommendations? I'm looking at sweet beats at the moment.
Also has anyone got any advice about actually using the Doppler. I am a bit worried that my plan will backfire with me not being able to find a hb and then freaking out even more... But my MIL used to be midwife so hopefully she could help.
The other thing I'm worries might impact on me being able to use it is that I have a retroverted uterus. My dr always comments on how far back it tilts, do you think that this might mean its trickier for me to use the Doppler?
Thanks in advance for your help ladies!

[Koobie83]

Hey I've got a retroverted uterus too... I wonder if that's why I don't feel so many movements as others?
I'm hiring one from Belly Beats. It was slow arriving and a bit slow to respond to my inquiries - but it was over new year. After a few days after I got a response it arrived. It's very helpful with my anxiety. - but not all the time!

[zingy]

I ordered online from sweat beats and it was delivered the next day.

I was 11 weeks when I got it and at first it was taking me a while to find the little heartbeat. I'm nearly 14 weeks now and I can find it straight away but it is easier if I push my belly out/up. I always find it with the doppler in the middle of my belly just above the pubic bone. Sweat beats include a detailed list of tips to help you when you get started.

5 years ago when I was anxiously pregnant with twins I had a doppler too but I can't remember who I hired it from. It really did help to get through until the full on movement started.

This time around, I know I would be a total basket case without it. If you are worrying all day, every day then its a must have! It just gives you a feeling of peace and keeps the positive vibes flowing.

[bright*future]

I hired from Belly Beats and the service was fine. The doppler itself is pretty good (not that I have anything to compare it to) and I was able to get the HB at about 11 weeks, all I remember is it was before my 12 week scan which gave me a lot of comfort and took away that fear we would get in there and see nothing.

Controversial I know, but has been a good thing for me. Now that I am counting kicks I only use it on a quiet kick day and only briefly.

[soontobegran]

A uterus does not remain retroverted after the first trimester so it will not impact the ability to feel foetal movements.

As for hiring dopplers.......there are lots of threads already and I am sure there is little doubt as to how I feel about them and the companies who hire/sell them to people untrained in their use.


efs

This post has been edited by soontobegran: 18/01/2013, 09:25 AM

[ubermum]

My recommendation is don't hire a doppler. Yeah, it may give you some perceived piece of mind for that minute you can find a heartbeat, but what about the minute after that, and after that? Then the baby could completely move and you aren't able to find it for ages. You freak out flooding the baby with stress hormones all the while bombarding it with high frequency sound. Fantastic. Leave the monitoring to the health professionals. Having a doppler won't prevent loss and isn't any better than paying attention to the way you and your own body is feeling. In fact, I would argue worse. Many women who experience loss talk of just knowing that something isn't right. Listen to your own body.

I wish you all the best for a healthy pregnancy and birth.

[Koobie83]

UberMum and SoontobeGran - Ok so I have a home doppler and you are right, it doesn't ease my anxiety for very long.

What am I supposed to do? I don't want to flood the baby with stress hormones. Do I sit at my doctors office everyday insisting there is something wrong when really there isn't? I don't have the money to see a doctor every week either, plus I still have to work.

What do you suggest? Have an ultrasound every week just for my peace of mind?

This post has been edited by Koobie83: 18/01/2013, 10:14 AM

[MrsLexiK]

UberMum and SoontobeGran - Ok so I have a home doppler and you are right, it doesn't ease my anxiety for very long.

What am I supposed to do? I don't want to flood the baby with stress hormones. Do I sit at my doctors office everyday insisting there is something wrong when really there isn't? I don't have the money to see a doctor every week either, plus I still have to work.

What do you suggest? Have an ultrasound every week just for my peace of mind?

Try not to stress about it, I wonder how our parents and grand parents every got through pregnancy without all these scans? I don't believe in using home doplers either - especially in the first half of the pregnancy, you don't even know which HB you have (ie your own, or the beat of the placenta or the babies) FTR I am utterly terrified that I will lose this bubba so every movement I don't feel or don't see (actually I haven't seen any movement yet just felt it) makes me anxious, but I try to relax and I find that by telling DH about how anxious I am feeling it relieves some of the stress.

Have an icy cold glass of water or coke or lemonade etc and drink it and lay down (I find on my back the best) wait 20 mins you should start to feel something. Also hearing a HB doesn't mean that there is nothing wrong.

[House.of.blue]

I'm with PP's I am terrified of losing this baby, just like I was with DS due to DD passing away in the womb but I still haven't hired a Doppler. I think they are more stress then they are worth and any OB or GP will tell you the risks you take by using them. I don't see how it would make me feel any better if anything it would make me more anxious and like STBG said being untrained and using them can't be safe.

If in doubt go to a doctor, lie down as you get further along to feel movement and maybe just have faith that its ok. If you can't find a heartbeat you are going to stress plus I don't want to put a damper on this thread but in my case by the time their was no heartbeat detected (40 weeks 2 days) during active labour DD had already passed with no chance of recovery so even if you find no heartbeat what can you do? Sorry if that sounds harsh but I think they cause more worry to mothers to be then being helpful.

[Koobie83]

Have an icy cold glass of water or coke or lemonade etc and drink it and lay down (I find on my back the best) wait 20 mins you should start to feel something. Also hearing a HB doesn't mean that there is nothing wrong.

I know... that's why my anxiety and stress comes back soon after using it (or going to see a doctor).

I try all of that sometimes and it still doesn't work. Sometimes lying on my back works (in fact it's probably best) but isn't this bad for the baby? I heard lying on your back squashes your artery and starves the placenta?

Anyway I don't want to hijack this thread about me and my anxiety issues!