Have hired a doppler

by **Jo Locker** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 1:27 pm

I pondered it for many a while and one or two people at work said it would just panic us if we couldnt find the heartbeat, but I kept remembering something Becky (ogr) said - that they had hired one and did not regret it as it was such a precious thing to hear their little ones heartbeat. Decided to give it a try and hopefully will be able to hear it OK at 15 weeks. Also, my DH hasnt heard the heartbeat yet as the midwife did it when I went to see her alone - can't wait for him to (hopefully!!) have a listen as it was a magical moment. I'd be interested to hear anyones views - we'll be having a go tonight and I'll let you know how we go on. It is £30 per month to rent and you can send it back whenever you want or just keep it when you've paid for it. Ordered friday, it arrived this morning. I guess once you can feel the baby kicking you have a constant reassurance that all's OK and I'll probably send it back then. Lots of Love - Jo. XXXXX

by **Helen G** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 2:22 pm

You'll be hooked!! Good for you, anything to put your mind at rest is a good thing. Don't forget to read the instructions and especiallyt he bits about when you can't hear the heartbeats - it doesn't mean something terrible!! :-)

Happy listening. It'll be TV! As you say, Becky used to say how great it was! Helenxx

by **KirstyC** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 3:22 pm

Hi Jo, Like Hlen has said ,I bet you will be addicited to listening to the ickle heartbeat....ahhhh... enjoy!!! Lots of love Kirsty xx

by **ogr1** » Tue Sep 23, 2003 10:56 pm

just dont let yourself get worried.. you can find the blod flow alot easier then finding the heart beat.if the babY is turned the wrong way or back behind the pelvis you wont here it !!!!!!! SO DONT WORRY!!!!!! make sure and record what you here. this was something very wonderful that my husband and i got to do together... we herd moses heart beat tell he was delivered, i went to the docs a couple of times and told them that i couldnt find it.. but they found it and told me to relax.. lvoe ogr becky

by **bubblymichelle** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 7:46 am

They are a good thing to have and I did want one myself but Lee said to me if for any reason I couldn't hear the heartbeat I would get myself in a panic and think the worst so we decided it was best we didn't have one. Like you say once you start getting movement you feel better in yourself and I do feel the baby kicking every day so I know all is ok. I do still worry though that something will go wrong, every morning every night I rub my tummy and tell my little miracle that I love he/she. Hope everyone is doing ok. Love Shell. 22wks 6d pg xx

by **Jo Locker** » Wed Sep 24, 2003 8:23 am

Thanks girls - we did find the heartbeat really easily last night which was lovely as my DH hadnt heard it before. I know that perhaps we wont hear it every single time. Becky I am touched that you replied with your reassurances - it was you saying that you would not have missed hearing this precious sound for the world that prompted me to do this. We have decided just to listen probably a couple of times a week and it really was a lovely moment - even our normally very noisy parrot (Pedro) was mesmerised for a few minutes (my husband said it was worth it just to shut him up - Ahhhhhhhh!!!!, he loves him really!!) Hope you're all OK today and thanks for your replies. Lots of Love - Jo. XXXXX

by **SallyP** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 3:53 pm

Hi there - sorry for butting in on this - but wanted to add my teo penneth! I had my 20 week scan yesterday, and I asked the consultant whether babies were adversely affected by the soundwaves of the ultrasound. He said that as long as scans were kept to under an hour duration, that all the baby felt was warmth. I had asked because I had heard that the ultrasound is actually soundwaves, and the picture you get back is from the sound waves bouncing back so you get the image. So I had wondered if the babyt could hear the sound waves. So the consultant said that babies were not bothered by ultrasound, but if the scans lasted for over 2 hours they did get quite warm. He did however say that some research had been done to show that babies did get distressed by the sound of a doppler, that they seemed not to like the sound. So not telling anyone what to do here, and I know it's so lovely to hear the heart beat, but I was quite surprised by this. By the way, while I'm on, all was OK with my 20 week scan, although the baby is lying left to right, which would explain the pains I get down my thighs when sitting down for too long! But it also appears my placenta has formed over my cervix, so baby BOB (for Baby on Board!) is lying on it. Trust me to have a lazy one whose using my placenta as a cushion! This is called placenta previa apparently, and if the placenta doesn't shift (if Bob doesnt move off it!!) then I'll be admitted at 34 weeks and have to stay in hosp and have early CS at 37 weeks. I ahve already booked an elective section anyway, on psychological grounds, so am not worried about that, but dont want a lengthy hosp admission. So I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has had experience of this condition. Hope everyone is well, love Sally xxxx

by **bubblymichelle** » Thu Sep 25, 2003 5:08 pm

Hi Sally I am glad to hear everything went well with your scan it is a such a worry and you just want everything to go ok and I am glad it did. Please keep me informed on how things go. How many weeks are you now? Love Shell. 23wks pg xx

by **Jo Locker** » Fri Sep 26, 2003 9:15 am

Hi Sally - I am very interested in what your consultant said about doppler noise - there's always more research to put us off doing things isn't there?!! We had anyway kept our listenings very brief and have listened just twice in the last week - thinking about what you heard maybe we'll reduce it to once a week and just a short burst for reassurance. So much conflicting information !! Thanks for letting me know though. Hope you're all OK today- love, Jo. XX

by **SallyP** » Mon Sep 29, 2003 9:51 am

Hi girls, - I think that there's always different research coming ou and that the best thing to take all things in moderation! I must admit, if I had one I would be so tempted just to have a little listen every day! Good job I haven't as the baby would probably be born a heavy metal freak!! Hi Shell - hope you've stopped swelling now, I suppose the only consolation is that you could use having your jewellery cut of as an excellent opportunity to get more (to help with the trauma!!!). Am now 21 weeks and 3 days, and starting to look pregnant, rather than just fat I'm pleased to say. I've also been feeling the baby move which is so lovely! I just need him to stop lying on my placenta so it can move off my cervix - obviously a very lazy little thing! Stay well and take care, lots of love, Sally xxx