Fetal heart beat doppler?

Hi everyone, I'm quite keen to get a fetal heart beat doppler - does anyone have one / can anyone recommend a good one?

Thanks

Thanks so much FourEyes, you're such a star - I actually have a friend who's offered to see me hers quite cheaply so if I go for a second hand one I should take her's otherwise I'd feel bad.

I was more just wondering if there were good models out there i should look at or ones i should avoid


Thanks again

Pants I think someone had this going a few months back.

Personally, although I understand WHY mothers may want them, I am of the opinion that it's not a good idea.

You will notice that most (if not all) babies kick the doppler when your MW uses it on you, this is because the soundwaves that the dopplers use upset baby. It's loud and echoy and there are also studies coming out more recently showing overuse of ultrasound and soundwaves on a foetus can cause side effects such as fetal distress syndrome and brain damage.

 

In saying that, thats just MY opinion but perhaps consider all the possibilities before you go out and spend the money on something that may very well upset your bub.

Interesting, had no idea there were any side effects. I'll ask my mw at my visit on Tuesday and get her thoughts

Cheers for the advice

also you might want to visit this website I found good describing and has examples of what you might hear.
dopplerfacts

with all respect guys she was just asking what kinds were good:) some mw's like them some dont ...most i know think the piece of mind makes it worth it for the few seconds you are bothering baby:) for me between 12-15 weeks it was great:)

though i get why some dont like it (mws and some of the above posters:) ) each to their own really..:)

Sorry thats what I was meaning when I said eventually you'll feel baby move and would you still use it, if you would then it's up to you how much you spend but if you wouldn't really use it then don't spend a whole lot!

I never got one because like Babe said time went by rather quick.

Lol I hear you about the paranoia.

I think a doppler is a great idea, as long as you don't use it too often and don't panic if you don't find the heartbeat right away. I've never used one but I imagine if you're not trained to use one it could be quite easy to miss the heart, especially since it's such a small thing that can run away from the noise!

I borrowed one from my SIL and found it great for piece of mind! I could almost always find it and was able to record it and email it to my parents who live in a different city so they could feel a part of it all I'm with the others though, I only used it sparingly just in case. Also, when bubs was starting to move, I found it really reassuring to check that all was well if he hadn't moved in a while. And lastly, I had to go away for a few weeks to the States halfway through so took it with me as I was feeling a bit more vulnerable over there

Another few weeks and your bubba will be letting you know its there :D
I personally don't like to have dopplers used on my baby, but do understand wanting the peace of mind... the thing is, is yes you may hear the heartbeat, but it wont tell you anything other than that the babies heart is beating or you may not be able to hear the heartbeat due to an anterior placenta or a baby that likes to hide and cause yourself even more worry because of this. Sadly a heartbeat doesn't guarantee a healthy pregnancy/baby or guarantee that things aren't going to go wrong.
Have a little bit of faith and trust in yourself and your baby :)

That said there is someone on the Northshore who rents them out ($50 a month I think, a proper one, like midwives use) I never could get the cheapo plastic ones to work, but then i'm not little myself and have a fair bit of tummy fat. I think they are Huntleigh ones :)

Edited by neivaD