Home Doppler

[Billiebt288]

I feel like I know the answer to this question but want to hear others opinions on it 🙈

Would anyone/has anyone bought a home Doppler machine. I am a worrier and now I’m not worried about miscarriage as past that point all that’s in my mind is stillbirth and there not being a heartbeat. From what I have heard they are not good to buy as I’m not qualified to use it and can make you worry more or give you fake reassurance but want to see what others have to say.

Thanks

[Kempton]

I think the advice is to not get a home doppler as it can pick up the mother's heartbeat, giving a false sense of security. I think midwives prefer you to just go into hospital if you have any concerns or haven't felt your baby move for a while, rather than decide everything is ok for yourself.

[Nin21996]

The current advice is not to get one, they aren’t reliable if you’re not trained to use one. The best advice is count your movements and if you notice any change call your midwife and they’ll probably have you come in to MAU. I’ve been in twice with changes of movement and the baby has been fine both times, but they still reiterate that they’d rather you come in and it’s nothing than for you to stay at home if something is wrong. X

[Hidden]

If you at the point when you can feel your baby move then don't bother, nothing is more reasurring than feeling your baby move and then know he/she is happy xxxxx

[Hidden]

I can understand the temptation to want hear your baby’s heartbeat but without training you wouldn’t know if it was healthy or distressed and might miss something (let alone it might be your own heartbeat you pick up). I agree with the ladies above, be reassured by any movement and start to pick up on your baby’s pattern (e.g. time of day they move and frequency) so that if it changes you can seek advice

[Rebel2103]

Hi, I bought one when I was pregnant with my twins, I found it a huge reassurance that both babies were ok. I used it with my little girl and throughout this pregnancy. This will be my 8th baby, I know the difference between my heartbeat, babies heartbeat and a heartbeat you get from the cord. When I was pregnant with the twins I could only find one heartbeat, I went into hospital, they could only find one heartbeat, I ended up with an emergency scan at 11pm, twin 2 had hidden behind twin 1 and both babies were fine, but it could of been a different story. I think it’s down to personal choice, if it puts your mind at rest and enables you to enjoy your pregnancy I don’t see any harm. Going on past experience, you get a really bad gut feeling if something is wrong and you just head straight to hospital (well I did). Good luck with your pregnancy x

[Emilylouise-]

I have had one with my last 4 pregnancys and it gave me reassurance up until I felt baby move my midwife was brilliant she even showed me how to use it and the difference between heartbeats and the rate as a mom to be you would have that gut feeling if something was wrong and head straight to hospital

[E_05]

I’m a massive worrier and as much as I was tempted initially to get one when my midwife told me you can pick up the baby’s heartbeat, your own heartbeat or the placenta the thought of me thinking I was listening to the heartbeat and it potentially not be worried me more. If you’re at a point where you can feel baby move the best thing is to call the hospital if you’re concerned x

[Patty74]

I had one used it everyday after 15 weeks. Yes I paid for extra scans too but I would not of got through without it. If you want it I can post it onto you.

[Major2116]

We had a Doppler after suffering 2 miscarriages. I went on YouTube and combined with midwife appointments listening to the heartbeat I figured out which was which.

I was advised just to remember that a heart beat means the baby is alive but it doesn't necessarily mean baby is okay. For example if I was having pains and heart the heartbeat I should still get checked out.

It did help me a lot as I had terrible anxiety but they do recommend not getting them xx

[laurafig]

My sister in law warned me about these when we announced we were pregnant. She explained about picking up your own heartbeat etc.

Although I can see why people would choose to buy them, you have to think to yourself, how would you feel if you didn’t hear a heartbeat? Do you think that would be reassuring? What if it was nothing, but what if it was what your fear? How would it make you feel?

[Hidden]

Please don't use a Doppler if its to reassure you baby is ok. Only go by movements. I had a Doppler at home from my first pregnancy. I used it every night because I loved to listen to my daughter's heart beat but still had her checked out at hospital if movements changed. Unfortuantly my 2nd pregnancy went to 40 weeks and my little girl was born sleeping, this was 5 months ago. I only ever used the doppler once to listen to her early on in pregnancy. So if you want to use one only do so because you like to feel closer and hear babies heart to bond please Never use it to diagnose. Xxx