doppler or fetescope

[dex_millie]

Not sure how to word it. But I thought I heard a doppler gaves off the same about of waves(or whatever) as an ultrasound and maybe even more? Is that true. For my first child I did the doppler and for my 2nd child I did the fetescope, they only used the doppler during labor. I cannot remember when I was able to hear the heartbeat for the 2nd. I have an appt. next week, I will only be 13 weeks and am wondering if the fetescope will hear it or if I will have to wait for the 20 week check up or just do the dobbler this time around.

Any advice.

[taffywelsh]

I think the "doppler" that people are worried about is the one that makes the colored pictures in targeted ultrasounds...not the one the midwives use to listen to the heartbeat.
Correct me if I'm wrong

[possum]

A doppler uses ultrasonic waves - like an ultrasound that gives data as pictures. I asked that the MW's only use it during labor for my first child, and we have only used the fetoscope at home and for MW appointments again this time.
You should be able to hear a heartbeat with a fetoscope around 18 weeks or so - maybe a little earlier or later.
Melinda

[dex_millie]

Originally Posted by possum

A doppler uses ultrasonic waves - like an ultrasound that gives data as pictures. I asked that the MW's only use it during labor for my first child, and we have only used the fetoscope at home and for MW appointments again this time.
You should be able to hear a heartbeat with a fetoscope around 18 weeks or so - maybe a little earlier or later.
Melinda

This is what I heard and why I decided to do it with my 2nd child. I guess I will be doing the same for the 3rd one. I also had heard that the waves maybe contributed to speech problems not sure if that is true or not but it so happens that my first has speech problems but my 2nd don't but that could be just a coincident.

[MaerynPearl]

the sound doppler that is used to listen to heartbeat at appointments is generally no higher than 3mhz

an ultrasound is generally around 12mhz

its the same sort of sound waves but honestly, there's no proof that they are harmful anyway.

[babyjelly]

No proof of harm, maybe...but this baby sure hates it! Using Doppler takes us a good 20 minutes to find a heartbeat because it swims away so vigorously. With the fetoscope, my mw can get it right away, every time. She says the Doppler is very loud to them in there.
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[WifeofAnt]

My baby hates the doppler too. I've been on EFM twice so far (darn hospital thought I was in labor while I had a kidney infection) and half the noise was him kicking it. It only takes my doctor about 5 seconds to find the heartbeat and get the number though, not huge exposures in my opinion.
I personally haven't been able to hear his heartbeat with a fetoscope (he likes to kick anything that presses on my belly) and I'm 26 weeks. I really don't try that hard anymore since I can feel him moving around quite often.

[Lady Lilya]

I saw a study that showed fetal mouse cells abnormally grew after being exposed to the waves from the doppler.

I plan to ask my MW if there is any good reason for her to listen to the heart beat at this point, and if we can wait for the fetoscope, since it is entirely passive (nothing goes INTO you).

I am not so concerned about it later in pregnancy, or during labor.