how often can i use my doppler?

[19Sarah87]

hi ladies i wondered if anyone can tell me how often it is ok to use my doppler. Mine arrived this morn and i want to use it all the time...... well not all the time as it gives me a headache. but you get what i mean lol.
On a bright note baby is a fan of adele came forward and got a good listen to heart beat whilst playing adele. Already takes after me lol x

 

[open lotus]

yey I use my doppler once or twice a day

 

[davo]

I use mine every couple of days just to reassure us - especially if baby's not been moving around too much!

 

[2ndtimeluckyX]

I used it everyday up until I started feeling movement

 

[sueh81]

there's no way it can harm your baby so use it as often as you need to hun for the reassurance
xx

 

[MrsAgar]

I used it three times a day at first. Then around 19 weeks I went to twice a day and now its once a day. I'm thinking becasue I can feel baby much more I will cut back to a couple times a week. But I feel like we are bonding when I lay there listening to his heartbeat and talking to him.

 

[Nikki_d72]

there's no way it can harm your baby so use it as often as you need to hun for the reassurance
xx

I'm sorry to say this and I don't want to start a row, but this is simply not true.

Dopplers are more constant sound waves than a standard ultrasound, and there has been no research done to prove their safety, used for prolonged times or this often. Some studies have found evidence of cavitation, which is where the spaces in the tissues (present in all mammals) which are filled with gas are affected by the sound waves and implode, causing extreme heating. A couple of degrees can really affect a developing baby, which is why we are warned not to overheat, use really hot spas etc. There have also been studies showing the soundwaves being reflected off the internal curve of the skull, thereby magnifying and concentrating the waves many times greater in the brain area of the developing baby.

Have a wee look at this, written by a midwife and backed up by studies, all referenced (I can't remember all the right references), explained way better than I can: https://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/ultrasound.asp

https://www.motherandchildhealth.com/Prenatal/sarah/ultrasound.html scroll down to "the biological effects of ultrasound" to get a better explanation of cavitation than I gave!

Everything relating to ultrasound also applies to dopplers, as I say dopplers are stronger as they use a constant sound wave, where ultrasound is generally intermittent waves. It's up to you if you still want to use it or not, but is sounds like you would appreciate some actual facts to help you decide. HTH.

 

[KeiD]

The articles you mention are all quite old (1999 & 2002) all I can find is the they are safe to use in moderation i.e. Not using for more than 10mins at a time a few times a week. I'm guessing if they were truely harmful we wouldn't be able to buy them & usage limitations would have to be clearly outlined on them?

 

[Nikki_d72]

The articles you mention are all quite old (1999 & 2002) all I can find is the they are safe to use in moderation i.e. Not using for more than 10mins at a time a few times a week. I'm guessing if they were truely harmful we wouldn't be able to buy them & usage limitations would have to be clearly outlined on them?

I'm not sure that the age of the articles are valid, as the same technology is being used now. The problem is, nobody actually knows if they are safe or not as no proper research has been carried out to prove their safety, of course the manufacturers are not going to say they are an unproven technology, or in any way risky - they wouldn't sell many. Do they even tell you the frequency on these ones you can buy on ebay or whatever?

I think used by midwives and other professionals there is probably only small risk, but the problem is when they are used by unqualified ladies there is no control on length of use or frequency. I know if I had one I'd be tempted to listen in all the time, it would be hard to resist! How many ladies really only use them for 10mins a couple of times a week, do you think? I know I'd probably pretty soon get obsessed with it and use it way more and I don't think I'm any more obsessive than the next pregnant woman. Even if they do limit the use to these parameters, that's still way more than the 10 mins once a month which would be usual for midwife visits.

I don't think you should be able to buy them, IMHO. Many things have been presumed to be safe until proven as harmful, often many generations later. It's a personal choice of course, but I believe one that should be taken after thorough research, not just the bits you may want to hear. Sorry if that offends, tht's not my intention, I just hope to provoke some thought on the matter.

 

[open lotus]

everything in moderation

 

[MrsMalowey]

I mentioned it to my MW when i had my 16 week appt, as the above lady said, she said there's been no evidence to prove they are safe to use (but none to say they are particularly dangerous) so just be wary of it when using it and limit useage as much as possible

I barely use it at all now as once she started kicking its better for reassurance.

 

[L Elise]

Hi ladies! Engineer here.

Nikki is right - there is no study to confirm or refute doppler safety. But in practical approach I'm more along Open Lotus's outlook.

The doppler sends a signal through your body to pick up on Baby. Hence the signal gets to baby. Localised molecular heating would be a reasonably safe assumption, at least, and we know high frequency Ultra Sound damages hearing in humans and animals. There is no regulation on the frequency of these things -ergo the power has increased tenfold since becoming publically available and they weren't originally built or designed for regular use.

I have used a doppler twice in 19wks and both occaissions were due to concerns for baby's welfare (turns out s/he just doesn't like the heat we're having at the mo). Bar that I don't bother. If you're late in your second trimester a stethascope works, transmits no signal and costs half the price of a doppler or if it's for hubby the usual oldfashioned midwife's earpiece (fetoscope?) works well too.

In short I use it if I'm genuinely worried, but I won't risk further use. It's your call ladies.

 

[Blah11]

I use mine every few weeks. TBH once you start getting movements you don't need it.

 

[tweedy]

my midwife doesn't recomment home doppler use, she is dead against it and is happy to come listen in whenever her ladies feel they need it, i'm still waiting to hear heartbeat as my local trust don't recommend even trying till at least 24 weeks, as baby is well established then and less damage can be done.

 

[CatherineK]

My doctor has no problem with home doppler use to reassure a nervous parent! Everything in moderation, of course. But after a later mmc with my first pregnancy, it is a peace of mind thing for me. I used it once a day for a short period of time (only a minute or two) until I started feeling movement, now I feel movement pretty much constantly, so I've only used it once or twice in the last couple months, I think...

 

[sueh81]

my midwife said there is no harm whatsoever so that was what I was going by with my previous comment. I didn't mean to cause any arguement, sorry
I only use mine for like 2 minutes max at a time anyway like once a week just for fun now

 

[L Elise]

No argument caused, Sue. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and decision. In truth I'm quite pleased this is a forum where people *can*!! Always good.

Sometimes the facts are just difficult to come by or seperate from professional opinion. Regardless of what we all choose, we'll all want the facts to base the decision on.

As for me? I make no excuses! I'm just a big engineering geek!!

 

[prdlyexpectng]

i used to use mine multiple times per day lol. i would say u can use it whenever u want just not for too long at a time! maybe a minute or two

 

[Nikki_d72]

my midwife said there is no harm whatsoever so that was what I was going by with my previous comment. I didn't mean to cause any arguement, sorry
I only use mine for like 2 minutes max at a time anyway like once a week just for fun now

No arguement caused at all, It's good to be able to discuss these things!

 

[Allie84]

I usually only use mine for one or two minutes, but there have been a few times I've gotten a bit carried away and listened for a longer period of time...and each time I did it for longer, baby ran away from me and I had to 'chase' him/her.

So I don't think the baby likes it.

What would localized heating even do to the baby (I'm curious)?

I agree moderation is best. We only use it a few times a week and once I feel frequent movement will not use it unless I'm really worried about something.