fetal doppler

[jenninjapan]

I am planning on visiting an OB during this pregnancy, but as infrequently as possible.   For your pregnancy and UC were you glad to have a fetal doppler or did you find you really didnt need it?  Did you use it at all in labour?

[Sijae]

I had two midwife assisted homebirths and one unattended homebirth.  I refused any kind of ultrasound in all of my pregnancies including doppler.  Monitoring by the midwives was done with a fetoscope and I didn't monitor my UC baby at all.

[rajahkat]

For my UCs  I never felt the need to monitor my babies during pregnancy or labor.  But after my first birth, my next four were all really straightforward and quick(between 1-3 hours).  I did have both a fetoscope & doppler on hand to listen during my 4th & 5th births and if I had been uneasy or concerned I would have checked heart tones.

I would suggest if you think you might want to check during labor that you practice with your fetoscope during pregnancy as it can take some practice and getting used to.

Kat

[Sharlla]

i borrowed one and used it 2 times but it was my first UP so it made me feel more comfortable.  i did not use it during labor.  i wouldn't bother with it next  time around

[a-o-t-e]

There has been alot of talk on a homebirth board I am on about unnesacary transfer of women in labour by midwives when they heard FHR's they werent happy with. Doplers and fetoscopes can be a blessing or a curse, depending on what you do with the info.

 With my last UC I had a foetoscope and used it maybe 3 tiimes in pregnancy and none at all in labour. This time I got a dopler so the kids and my dp could hear the babies, and have again used it 3 times in pregnancy, and will not use it at all in labour.

I find the more 'equipment' available to me personally, the less i rely on my own instincts/body/baby feedback.