Dopplers - a question, more than a worry

[Siuan]

Hi all,

I turn 14 weeks tomorrow and tried to listen to baby on our home doppler yesterday night (we have an Angelsounds).

I first found HB at 12w 5d and it was loud, clear and easy to find. I found it again at 13w 1d, but it kept disappearing. Sounded quite strong and regular, but kept moving.

Last night, I tried to find for over 30 mins and had no luck. Now, I'm not worried about this per se.... but more curious. Does anyone know how much room exactly baby has to move about in at this stage? I mean, I was trying in around the same area as I found HB both times before, but last night nothing - not anywhere I searched.

I'm assuming baby was just hiding (I hope he/she was!) but I wouldn't have imagined there is that much space in there for a 2-3 inch sized baby to hide in now? And should definitely now be above the pubic bone? Am I wrong? Does anyone know?

 

[tess8517]

Hiya, I kept finding mine on and off from 9 weeks, it took me ages like an hour some times- I always found him right down low to the right in the end but you really have to persiveir with it- can get frustrating I know. They have soo much room to move at this stage i used to always say oh hes swam away again.... then would chase round really low and get it again haha x

 

[Siuan]

It's interesting. I'd just assumed that once I'd found above pubic bone, it wouldn't be so hard to find again. I'm only imagining my uterus to be a little bigger than baby itself? Is that totally wrong then?

 

[pixxi]

I'm almost 21 weeks and still vast swathes of my abdomen somehow don't contain the baby's heartbeat, even though at this point it's pretty big! I always find it but not always instantly, which I find surprising at this point. So yes, definitely think it's normal, and remember that the uterus goes back in depth as well as width across your abdomen, so I think it's pretty easy for the baby to get in a position where it's not easy to pick it up, especially when it's so small.

 

[Siuan]

Thanks pixxi. I guess I hadn't really thought about depth rather than width. I suppose that is true too. Maybe I should do some reading up online about uterus size!

 

[pup1]

Hi just thought I'd add you need a good bit of gel too...... I too have an anglesound but find it easier with a good bit of gel - good luck !

 

[Siuan]

Thank you joanne, I did put a load more on at the time, I think OH decided I was trying to drown myself! lol!

I'll try again tonight

 

[hwills41]

Ohhh you'd be surprised how much room they have! It also seems like the babies don't like the doppler since mine always bats it away They can hide behind, under, around, etc. the placenta, they can have their backs towards the doppler and so many other positions. They are just so small right now, so don't worry! It always took me a few minutes to find her, but now it's very easy... since just hearing her move around on the doppler is assurance enough. Can you hear any movement? Anything hitting the doppler or sounds like someone swimming under water? If so, that's the baby, so don't worry

 

[Siuan]

hwills41 - I'm not really sure what I'm listening for with regards to movement... I was hearing a lot of sort of "bopping" noises last night which I thought could be movement, but equally, I'm not sure how to tell the difference between that and my normal body gassy functions in that area!! (lol!)

 

[Louise73]

Ohhh you'd be surprised how much room they have! It also seems like the babies don't like the doppler since mine always bats it away They can hide behind, under, around, etc. the placenta, they can have their backs towards the doppler and so many other positions. They are just so small right now, so don't worry! It always took me a few minutes to find her, but now it's very easy... since just hearing her move around on the doppler is assurance enough. Can you hear any movement? Anything hitting the doppler or sounds like someone swimming under water? If so, that's the baby, so don't worry

Yes!!! I've picked up movement on the angel sounds. It kind of sounds like someone waving a lightsaber in there