Comments on: Anyone have one of those baby heart monitor thingys?

By: ljb

ljb — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:50 +0000

I rented a doppler during my pregnancy. I found it indispensible, but honestly I wouldn’t recommend it for everyone. I don’t remember the name of the company I used — I did a bit of ‘net research, asked some women on some pregnancy bbs what they used, and took it from there. (A few phone calls and looking at a few pics showed me that most rental places offered the same dopplers, anyway.) ETA: It was storkradio.

The problem with a doppler is that if you have trouble finding the heartbeat you’re likely to freak out. And depending on the position of the baby, the position of your placenta, and your own body weight, finding the heartbeat may or may not be easy to do. So a doppler isn’t for everyone, depending on how alarmist you are, etc. But it can be an incredible thing to have for peace of mind. I rented one because I had had several losses and knew that even my bi-weekly ultrasounds wouldn’t be enough for me. Once I got used to using the doppler I didn’t have any problems, but even so there were times when things took a while to locate. If you do rent one, I urge you NOT to rent one early on — in other words, even though you’ll hear women tell you they found the heartbeat with a fetal doppler at, say, 9 weeks, don’t do it that early, as you’re more than likely setting yourself up for some major stress. When pregnant with twins I waited until 11 1/2 weeks before renting the doppler, and used it throughout my entire pregnancy. It worked wonderfully and brought me tremendous peace of mind (and was also helpful in ways that didn’t bring peace of mind so much, such as when I wasn’t feeling one of my babies movements — everything turned out fine, but having my doppler enabled me to basically make sure that something wasn’t right before heading to the hospital, instead of just wondering whether it was all in my imagination and hesitating to bother people on Christmas Day.)

By: cwrayvoa

cwrayvoa — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:50 +0000

I just ordered one from bellybeat and it came today. I have been tracking the thing in the mail and I see that it was delivered today so I CAN’T WAIT to get home and use it!!!!!!!! You can email me in a few days and I can let you know.

By: Glenna

Glenna — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:50 +0000

I have the Bebe Sounds heart monitor. It worked like crap. Some people swear by it, but it never really worked for me. Not worth the money.

By: Ashley M

Ashley M — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:50 +0000

My stepmother bought us one by BeBe Sounds - I’d never tell her this, but it’s not worth the money. We’ve never heard the baby’s heartbeat once… However, it’s nice to use to record your own heartbeat and listen to the sounds of the womb. We just recorded my own heartbeat to put on a cd and play for my son when he is born to calm him when he’s fussy. I wish it would have worked better… but sadly, it didn’t.

I wouldn’t waste your money if I were you…

By: momomo

momomo — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:50 +0000

I wouldn’t bother, when my wife was pregnant we had many scans and half the time the midwife couldn’t find the heartbeat, it would worry the hell out of you if you couldn’t find it one night.

By: piggy

piggy — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:50 +0000

mine is called "summer" brand and its a waste of money…dont work at all and if you are going down that route.its gonna make you paranoid if you cant hear it.just see your midwife,they know where to find the heart beat

By: gilly g

gilly g — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:50 +0000

Dont get one, it’ll only add to your stress levels. Can you imagine your panic if you tried it and couldn’t find a heart noise? My doctor checked me with one and often had trouble locating the heart ( but only because she wasn’t looking in the right place).
Good luck with the baby xxx

By: Jill

Jill — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 12:12:50 +0000

As people are already telling you, any retail-bought hand held doppler isn’t going to work well at all. Not only are they cheaply made, but it’s often hard to find the baby’s heartbeat even when you’re experienced in finding them! They definitely don’t work until the third trimester in most cases, when the baby is finally big enough and the heart beat strong enough that the doppler can pick it up, and even then, it’s difficult and often frustrating and can cause maternal paranoia that something is wrong when you can’t find it!

Save your money, and let your doc appointments be special moments where you can hear your baby.

Congrats!