[lunaleau]

I am waiting for babe #3 to makes its arrival which leaves me nothing to do but make lists! So I know I will be purchasing both a hemoglobinometer and my O2 set up this year. I have been all over the internet and I am curious what others prefer? Specifically on the hemoglobinometer, I know that my sense of color is not good and I do not do well with the "old school" BMS hemoglobinometers and the stat-site seems inexpensive to purchase but seems to not be very reliable or needs a lot of calibration, I have heard that the hemocue is great but I know of no one who has one. Experiences?<br><br>
Second I am pretty sure I know that I want a size "D" O2 tank, and preferences on ease of use of regulators?<br><br>
TIA

 

[MidwifeErika]

I have used a hemocue before and they are easy to use. The only reason I did not purchase one is that the little glass dealies that you put the blood in are very expensive and expire fairly quickly. If I had a higher volume practice, I might consider it. I just use the old-school BMS hemoglobinometer.<br><br>
I have no clue what kind of regulator I have, I got it from one of my preceptors when she retired from midwifery.

 

[Peppamint]

I have the Hgb Pro digital analyzer... I've had it a little over a year and just switched to a different lot# on the test strips. So far, so good.<br><br>
I bought my regulators gently used on eBay... ended up getting 3 for the price of 1 new. The ones I bought are similar to <a href="http://www.treehugger.com/files/2010/05/bird-washing-machine-removes-oil-in-7-minutes.php" target="_blank">this one</a>.

 

[Jane]

No experience on hemoglobinometers - I use a lab. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/wink1.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="wink1"><br><br>
Regulators - ease of use! I know it's more dangerous to leave the regulator on at all times, but I want my regulator to be on the tank in the storage pouch. Anyway, there are regulators like this - <a href="http://www.activeforever.com/p-6072-victor-vmg-15sy-medical-oxygen-regulator-2-15-lpm-cga-540-1-12-gauges.aspx?CMPID=Froogle_victor-vmg-15sy-medical-oxygen-regulator-2-15-lpm-cga-540-1-12-gauges" target="_blank">older style</a>. The amount of oxygen is controled by the knob. You gotta look at the meter to say how much is flowing. I find them irritating. <a href="http://store.cyberweld.com/vimeoxremire.html" target="_blank">This style</a> is so much easier to use with a click dial to show the Liters per minute. Also is compact - see my desire to leave the regulator on the tank inside the bag.<br>
Ebay seems to be way better than any other source. I bought mine off a retired midwife which was fab, too.

 

[mwherbs]

I too like the newer regulator like the one Apricot sent a pic of.<br>
we send in a first lab but often the second check we like to just do at home lower price...<br>
the hemocue I have had my hands on seemed ok, but expense is on my mind too<br>
for a short while there was concern about supplies for the BMS but that seems to have worked out ok and I havn't had any problems with the ones we have used-<br>
I have even used a filter paper test that is way simple to use and is close enough but I could not begin to tell you the name of it or where one could ever be found but it was an extremely low tec and cheap.

 

[homebirthing]

I am old school, but have perfect color sense ,and that really helps!