Need help with Fetal Doppler

[sunshine.12]

I bought sonoline B 3Mhz pocket fetal doppler from ebay after reading several positive feedback in this fourm.

But looks like I am not using it properly. Wherever I keep it (in mode 1) , it read 120-130 most of the time. even if i keep it in my hands! Which mode do you usually use and how do you know when you find the fetal heart beat? I really hope that mine is not defective. Luckily I had an u/s yesterday and saw a strong heart beat at 180. so i am not panicking..

Also, how frequently do you use the doppler? is it safe to use it everyday? Do you use the gel every time?

[blairwh58]

Sunshine- Ive heard that you shouldnt try doing it at home until after 12 wks...just because its harder to pick up. I think I have the same doppler and just keep it in Mode 1. But mine doesnt show anything on the screen until its actually picking up a heartbeat. I know when Ive found the twins because the little heart will show in the top left hand corner of the screen, and i can hear their little hearts beating away (usually anywhere from 130-150 bpm). I used to use it every day until they started moving a lot- now I only use it when one or the other is moving less often. You do need to use the gel every time in order for it to work properly though. Best of luck.

[to_have_fun08]

Sunshine.. i also have a sonoline.. it always starts at 125 to 130 and then when it detects a HB it usually goes up or down. Another IVF friend of mine also thought hers was broke, it would start at 125 and then go down to around 88. I told her it wasn't broke, she was just only finding her own hb.. Once you find the babies you will know. Their HB is usually above 140's. The first time i was able to pick up a hb was right on 11 weeks, then after that it was still hard to find. Once i hit 15/16 weeks i could find it really easy.

[sunshine.12]

thanks so much for the tips blair and chris.

yesterday i tried only few times. i was scared that it will be bad for the fetus if i do for longer time. also i was under the impression that there is something wrong with the device or i am doing something stupid.

good to know that the initial reading of 120-130 is a common thing.so its not because im worrying too much these days and my heart beat rate is also in that range!

it was so nice to see the baby with a distinguishable head, heart, hands,legs,lil nose etc. for the first time yesterday that im addicted now. i can't wait for my next u/s in 12 weeks. wish we could buy an u/s machine also at home.

[leorira11]

I have a different brand doppler - but just so you know - I could never find the babies' heartbeats until 13+weeks - and that was with twins. (Granted, I'm a bit 'fluffy' - about 190lbs, but in any case...) Good luck!

[sunshine.12]

thx leora. may be i will try after 1 or 2 weeks. since i got an us day before yesterday, i think i can survive. i have my NT scan week after next. counting down days already.