To Those Declining Ultrasounds « Back to Group Discussions

[rweatherington]

Hi there!

I have a few questions for those of you who are declining ultrasounds:

1) Are you allowing the use of a Doppler?  I have an appointment to use one and I'm not sure if I should cancel, though I have read a lot of information on the topic.  This sorta brings me to my next question, though;

2) Are you freaking out because you still haven't heard the heartbeat yet?  I'm 10W1D and having not heard a heartbeat is getting more and more difficult!

[mattie426]

1. Yes on the doppler (hand held kind not the setting on the ultrasound machine). From the research I have done, that kind is fine. MUCH lower levels, etc.

2. Not freaking out. I am only 7 weeks, and I would love to hear it, but nothing will really change if I hear it or not, so I am doing my best to just stay patient and positive.

[letniaLynne]

1. Yes on the Doppler until she can use her fetial scope.
2. I also have not heard the heartbeat yet and am 11wks 1day, trying to stay calm but it has been very hard. This is my 3rd preg but the first I have not done an early us. I went the logical route, verses the emotional route and I am regretting it. Since I've been so sick but have not heard the heartbeat it has been hard to stay positive. I think next time around ill be just a bit selfish and get the US since I think it helps me emotionally deal with the stress and sickness of the first trimester,

[OtherSoul]

I NEED to hear a heartbeat soon. I have had almost no sickness at all, just a day here or there...so I've been worried. I have my first appointment on the 13th of February and hope the doc will be able to use a Doppler. I wish I could just trust that everything is okay but I'm struggling with that as my mother once suffered a missed miscarriage and I remember that vivid ly though I was just a kid at the time. A heartbeat would do wonders towards reassuring me. I'm paranoid.

[haurelia]

Originally Posted by mattie426 

1. Yes on the doppler (hand held kind not the setting on the ultrasound machine). From the research I have done, that kind is fine. MUCH lower levels, etc.

2. Not freaking out. I am only 7 weeks, and I would love to hear it, but nothing will really change if I hear it or not, so I am doing my best to just stay patient and positive.

This! I'm the same on both counts. My MW will use a fetoscope later on for routine appointments, but Doppler for a couple early appointments and while in labor is okay with me.

[chispita]

1. No on the Doppler. Well, that's not exactly true, I'm OK with it being used during labor if necessary / it seems worthwhile.

2. Not yet, but we haven't had our 10 week (first) appointment yet.

We are actually not declining all ultrasounds, so maybe this question doesn't apply to me - we're doing the NT scan at 11-13 weeks and the 20 weeks anatomy scan. But unless something unexpected comes up, that's it for ultrasound, including Doppler.

[PrairieDawn]

Anyone have a fetal doppler for at home? I bought one off eBay a few weeks ago and was able to hear baby's heartbeat the other day. Might be a suggestion for those wanting to hear the HB. 

[brightstarshine]

I am having up/uc.

I am not bothered about a doppler,and I am not freaking out for not hearing my baby's heartbeat.

I am having a lovely time,relaxing,pampering,trusting and having faith in my body and my pregnancy x

good luck x

[PrairieDawn]

Originally Posted by brightstarshine 

I am having up/uc.

I am not bothered about a doppler,and I am not freaking out for not hearing my baby's heartbeat.

I am having a lovely time,relaxing,pampering,trusting and having faith in my body and my pregnancy x

good luck x

I am not familiar with the term up/uc, could you please clarify? I am considered a high risk pregnancy because of a) my age and b) I had tubal reversal surgery not that long ago so my husband and I decided that a doppler might be a good idea; at least for us. 

[Bromache]

Originally Posted by PrairieDawn 

I am not familiar with the term up/uc, could you please clarify? I am considered a high risk pregnancy because of a) my age and b) I had tubal reversal surgery not that long ago so my husband and I decided that a doppler might be a good idea; at least for us. 

UP = Unassisted Pregnancy

UC = Unassisted Childbirth

Basically, this is the choice to do your own prenatal care and have a homebirth without a "professional" (midwife/doctor) on hand. Hope that helps clarify!

I'm not declining ultrasounds altogether, but hoping to keep it to just the one, around 18-20 weeks. I'm not sure about doppler use. Last time, we went with the fetoscope as often as possible. I can't even remember if we used the doppler at all before that... But then I ended up having multiple, necessary "surprise" ultrasounds anyway that pregnancy. (After a car accident at 20 weeks to make sure baby was okay, then at about 34 weeks to see if he was breech and if homebirth had to be ruled out, and finally the day before he was born at 40 weeks exactly, because he wasn't moving as much as normal and the midwife was concerned. I had the whole, long non-stress test and everything that day. Had to go to the hospital for fetal monitoring and got a taste of what that's like. Anyway, I've decided "never say never" this time around. :P)