fetal doppler

[mamaofthree]

i want to get a fetal doppler, have any of you gotten them and what do you think of the one you got? i don't have alot to spend, but i don't want to be wasting money either. and renting one seems pretty silly as they can be expensive after 5 months.

thanks

h

[tammyswanson]

Isn't a doppler some sort of ultrasound? I wouldn't do the U/S or doppler again, I read it can cause problems. A stethoscope seems much safer IMO.

[HappilyEvrAfter]

I have one that I used during my first pregnancy. It was about $40 and was nice to have piece of mind....cool to hear the heart beat anytime I wanted and others had fun listening too. It also had a recording feature.

Now I just lend it out as friends find out their pregnant or let my kiddo hear his own heartbeat (which he's been intrigued with lately).

I haven't read anything about the dopplar being harmful, but my son seems to have turned out just fine.

[mamaofthree]

happily: do you recall the brand?

thanks

h

[corrio]

Yes a doppler is a form of ultrasound.. All you need to do is google risks/dangers or ultrasound and there will be more then enough info..

As a person who had a full term loss, having a doppler during my last unassisted birth (who is now 3 weeks old) was very important to me.. I got mine off e-bay for about a 100 dollars.

I used it twice in labor, I had my husband do it once and then he was off taking my older children to school and I checked when I knew I was ready to push..

If the benefits out weigh the risks then get one but if you just want to hear the heart beat i would reccomend a fetoscope..

[HappilyEvrAfter]

Originally Posted by mamaofthree

happily: do you recall the brand?

thanks

h

Oh, no, sorry. It's loaned out at the moment or I would look for you!

[mamaofthree]

just to clarify: i have no issue with the occasional use of a doppler. what i would love to know is what brand people have used and if they liked the brand they got, if they felt it was worth the money.
i have 5 healthy children, but i have also had three miscarriages. so yes it do "just want to hear the heart beat", i feel better knowing the baby is alive especially since it is a bit early to feel it.

h

[2ID_Wife]

I got one just just about 100$ I use it just about once a month and for DH since even when I make appts he can never go. I still have no found it from my move so I am not sure what brand it is.

[Blue_Spiral]

Just last week or two my husband and I were finally able to feel our baby move from the outside. At least once a day now we are able to feel him kick our hands.

At my last prenatal check-up she put the doppler to my belly and BAM! he kicked it TWICE. Not just once, but twice, a couple inches apart.

He kicked it harder than he has ever kicked our hands and it was as if he was kicking the doppler itself on purpose.

It may just be in my head, but that was the first time it occurred to me that maybe a doppler's not a great thing for a baby.

I had read stuff about ultrasounds but never heard the mention of an actual doppler as unsafe.

My immediate reaction was, "wow, he doesn't like that doppler." Even if that doesn't make a lot of sense...

I'm interested to see that some think it's harmful.

[~Demeter~]

I got mine off of ebay.. it was around 80 dollars. It's a sonoline. I had a miscarriage 6 weeks prior to conceiving this baby so I felt I needed it for peace of mind. It helped with the anxiety. I never left it on my belly for very long, just long enough to hear the heartbeat and then I would shut it off. It was especially helpful when I wasn't feeling as icky at the end of the first tri before movement really kicked in.

ETA: I just want to say the doppler is the only intervention I have sought out this pregnancy. It really helped me relax when I felt it was hard to relax. I have not had an u/s or sought out prenatal care even. know it's not totally in line with the UC 'philosophy' but that doesn't necessarily fit for everybody and every situation.

[lovestolearn]

My understanding is that 1 min of doppler use = 30 min of Ultrasound exposure.

Personally, I wouldn't use a doppler. Here's one article that convinced me not to. There are many more out there.

[northcountrymamma]

Originally Posted by lovestolearn

My understanding is that 1 min of doppler use = 30 min of Ultrasound exposure.

Personally, I wouldn't use a doppler. Here's one article that convinced me not to. There are many more out there.

Not a UC mamma but found this thread through a search.

This article is fantastic, this was what I showed to DP when he wasn't sure on the whole avoiding us, doppler use.

[mamaofthree]

i appreciate all the concern... but after 3 miscarriages i want to know my baby is alive. so i got one. if you choose not to use on, be my guest. i support all sorts of peoples views and choices. again i did not ask for scary stories i wanted product information.

h

[mwherbs]

so there are some on ebay that are waterproof and sell for fairly cheap- a mw I work with has that one and it works ok the button is a little tricky as it is inset so you push the button down lower than flush but the cost was less than 150$

[~Demeter~]

Originally Posted by lovestolearn

My understanding is that 1 min of doppler use = 30 min of Ultrasound exposure.

Personally, I wouldn't use a doppler. Here's one article that convinced me not to. There are many more out there.

We all have our reasons for making the choices we make. I also don't knock someone for their choices... like I said we are all on different paths in this journey and have had different experiences that cause us to make different choices. I'm quite certain that those of us that have used the doppler that are choosing to have a UC birth know the supposed risks and are comfortable accepting them for peace of mind which is necessary in any pregnancy.

[kittywitty]

Originally Posted by ~Demeter~

We all have our reasons for making the choices we make. I also don't knock someone for their choices... like I said we are all on different paths in this journey and have had different experiences that cause us to make different choices. I'm quite certain that those of us that have used the doppler that are choosing to have a UC birth know the supposed risks and are comfortable accepting them for peace of mind which is necessary in any pregnancy.

I agree. I wish I had one during my last UC. I had a stethoscope (my fetoscope was terrible), but it's hard to check with that when you're laboring IME. I would like one this time, again, but they are so expensive! I wish I could buy one secondhand or rent one for a little while for cheaper. I know all about the safety issues and sure my kids have kicked the doppler. They've also violently kicked and punched me. It just amplifies the noise-and they tend to kick when you push in the belly at all, like while feeling for body parts and position.

OP- Can you update us on which one you get if you do get one?

[lovestolearn]

I'm not knocking anyone for their choices, just sharing my perspective and information. Feel free to ignore my post if you wish!

I'm quite certain that those of us that have used the doppler that are choosing to have a UC birth know the supposed risks and are comfortable accepting them for peace of mind which is necessary in any pregnancy.

This actually hasn't been my experience, either here or on the Bornfree forum. Many women have assumed that they are safe because their midwife used one, or that dopplers are less "intrusive" than ultrasounds.

Also, with respect to the OP, lots of other women read these threads and may be interested in this information, even if you already have made up your mind.