At home fetal doppler machine questions…?
I recently purchased a doppler machine to check for my babys heartbeat at home. I heard it at 7 weeks from an u/s. I am now 10 weeks. I first tried it yesterday and got it right away. It was extremely fast, and I was so excited! My mother (who is an RN) decided to check for it as well when she stopped by because she is so excited about her grandbaby, and it took awhile but she got a clear fast heartbeat just like I got. Then later, when hubby got home, I wanted him to hear it with me, so I tried to find it again, and nothing! And then this morning, I did it once more and still nothing so my questions are..
1) Do you think it could be so ironic that the baby is fine at one minute and then something went wrong so fast?
2) Is it possible for the baby to be in such a position that you can hear it sometimes, and sometimes you cannot?
3) Is it possible that using the doppler TOO much could of caused a problem? (important question)
I will continue with more details.
4) Could I blame not hearing it later on it being too early yet for me at 10 weeks, even though I was able to detect it before?
Im starting to worry that something went wrong, as ironic as that would be. I appreciate any answers. Thank you!
Filed under: Fetal Doppler FAQs
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Honey, nothing is wrong with the baby. At 10 weeks it can be very difficult to find it. We have one and listen every week.
(I am the one you just gave best answer to about finding the heartbeat.)
Be patient. The baby can move into a position where it can be hard to find. You just got the doppler and it takes practice. There were times when it took us forever to find it. But also, be careful to not push too hard. If you don’t find it within a few minutes, give up for awhile.
As far as your question #3
I would only use it once or twice a week. I know you are scared but take it easy. If you are that scared please call your doctor and ask them to try and find it. I’m sure they would. Or call your mom and ask her to come over and find it again.
Just because you have a tough time finding it doesn’t make you stupid, it just makes you inexperienced. Take care.
The baby might have just moved positions. Even the doctor had a little bit of a hard time always finding my babies heartbeat that early and the home machines aren’t nearly as powerful. Maybe the first time the baby was close to the area you were hearing it at and later rolled over or moved away a little. I’m 22 weeks along now and just finally able to always hear the heartbeat in just about any spot.
The reason you shouldnt buy dopplers to use at home because it can cause more stress than relief. Those dopplers you can buy and use at home arent as strong as the ones at the hospitals so the best way to hear the heartbeat(hear it strong) is the baby to be back against your belly(like pushing out) then you can hear it great. If you are seriously stressed you should go to the doctor and get checked out. And nope dopplers dont hurt the baby =] good luck and god bless!
I think that baby is most likely fine, as yo are only 10 weeks pregnant you are very fortunate to have even heard the baby’s heartbeat with a at home doppler. I am 18 weeks pregnant and the doctor even has a hard time finding the heartbeat. Yes baby can switch positions and the heartbeat must be found in a different position. There is no evidence as to using a doppler "too much" will have any effect onyour baby, that is kind of your discretion. You said your mom is an RN what does she say about it?
Don’t worry….because if you worry baby does too!
Because the baby is still so tiny im surprised you heard it al all! My midwife refused to use the doppler on me when i was 11 weeks pregnant because she said she wouldnt hear it. Iv also been looking at dopplers on internet an was wondering wether to buy one but then i came across a website that said the doppler must not be used more than 4 times in a week. So iv decided not to bother buying 1 as the temptation 2 use it every day would get too much for me!! Id want every1 2 hear it!! I can just imagine it now!! My postman coming to the door an i run out with the doppler beggin him 2 listen!! x