What do you think of this link regarding fetal Doppler’s?

2 Comments

1. CBear6 says:

   November 16, 2009 at 6:15 am

   I agree with the doctor who was quoted and that it can result in people delaying seeking help. Unless you’re properly trained and know exactly what you should be listening for, you’re not going to know what is normal. Whereas if you rely on your own gut-feeling (mother’s intuition) then you’re more likely to notice something isn’t right and call the midwife. My midwife has told me that even when they check the baby themselves using a Doppler and everything seems ok, that if mum is still unsettled and still thinks something isn’t right then they’ll send her to the maternity unit for more in-depth monitoring - "mum knows best" is her favourite saying.

   I also think they could have the opposite effect and cause unnecessary worry for the same reason - unless you’re properly trained you’re not going to know what you’re listening for and what is/isn’t normal. So you could have people rocking up to the hospital in a blind panic because the heartbeat was 140 yesterday but 165 today and that must mean something is wrong.

   I leave the Dopplers, etc to my midwife appointments where they’re being used by an expert who has the required knowledge. At home I rely on my own instincts and my own observations (e.g. kick counts, etc).
2. Megan L says:

   November 16, 2009 at 6:15 am

   I think that it would be great to have my own doppler to hear my babys heart beat. But i think you still need to be cautious and go for your regular check ups and if there is any change that is unusual for you then get checked, dont rely on the doppler for everything to be ok.