To Rent a Doppler or Not?

[newlywedtzh]

I posted about this on the PARL thread but thought I would get opinions here as well as the more posts I read the more ladies I see who have dopplers.

I have a history of early M/C and sometimes I get really anxious about being pregnant again. The only reason I haven't gotten a doppler yet is because I don't want to not hear the heartbeat (babies in a weird position, etc.) and panic every time and probably cost myself a fortune in ER bills or drive myself insane with worry.

So for those who have a doppler- how often do you NOT hear the heartbeat? Or do you hear it pretty regularly? Do you feel it makes you more stressed or it reduces stress?

I have an anterior placenta and probably won't feel movement for a couple more weeks still.. and even then it's supposed to not be as frequent (which can also probably scare you). At my 14 week appt. though the doctor was able to pick up the HB on a doppler right away.

What have been your experiences?

 

[Gizzyy]

I have an anterior placenta and I would say go for it. I still use mine even though baby is kicking because sometimes I don't feel all her movement and I find it really reassuring I bought mine at 15 weeks it's an angelsounds Doppler. Cheap but works.
Plus I don't always need to find the HB now because I can hear her kick before I hear the HB anyway but earlier on I had no trouble picking it up with a little patience x

 

[tryfor2]

I didn't have one last pg and made it through okay. This time a friend insisted on lending me hears. My OB doesn't recommend them, claiming they cause more worry than relief and I have to say I am leaning towards agreeing with her. DH and I have only heard the HB twice on it from about 6 weeks to 21 weeks. Now we don't do it a lot, maybe every couple of weeks. I do have a good size anterior placenta though. It has been stressful not being able to find a HB--to the point where DH hates using the Doppler. I am less stressed by it now that I can feel the baby move, but before then it does make you wonder if things are ok.

It's tough--if you are prone to anxiety some people swear by them. But then others are awfully glad they aren't putting themselves through the stress of not finding a HB.... It's a hard choice.

 

[mara16jade]

I had a rather difficult 1st tri due to bleeding (had a subchorionic hemorrhage) and found that the doppler was my saving grace. I picked up the HB at 8w5d and after that day, it got easier and easier to find. I don't really use it now unless I don't feel him move for a day, but that doesn't happen too often (usually only if I had a really active day/running around).

How much does it cost to rent?

 

[modified]

I've had mine since 15 weeks and use it very regularly. I've found the hb every time, the first time taking me about 15 minutes and everytime after that, a couple of seconds. It's incredibly loud and makes me feel great - I've heard my girl and she's doing good

 

[newlywedtzh]

Hmm.. I think it's one of those things where I don't know if it'll ease my anxiety or create more until I get one.

It's $27/ month to rent one (It retails for $500 ao I'm thinking it's a good one?)

https://www.babybeat.com/babybeat-audio-doppler-bb150.html

 

[toffee87]

I've hired one, only once it took me an hour. Usually straight away, but he does move a lot x

 

[kisunya]

I actually bought mine on Ebay for about $30 and used it until I started feeling her kick..it's reassuring

 

[JoJoB]

Been using mine since 14 weeks, find hb every time x

 

[patchey]

I have heard the heartbeat every time I used my doppler since 14 weeks. I use it at least 2 times a day. It doesn't really take away the stress, though, because I know had things can happen even when there is a heartbeat. If you're considering renting one, you should buy one instead. They're only like $50.

 

[Ashley1021]

I use my doppler about twice a week. I've been able to find the heartbeat every single time from 8 weeks. I'll be 14 weeks tomorrow. So much reassurance for me.

 

[mara16jade]

Hmm.. I think it's one of those things where I don't know if it'll ease my anxiety or create more until I get one.

It's $27/ month to rent one (It retails for $500 ao I'm thinking it's a good one?)

https://www.babybeat.com/babybeat-audio-doppler-bb150.html

If you rent it twice, its more expensive than buying the one I have.
I have the Sonoline B with a 3mhz wand (and use aloe vera gel instead of buying ultrasound gel). I got it on ebay.com for $52 shipped.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonoline-B...914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item484ef0798a

 

[AMB2013]

It really seems to come down to your anxiety level and personal preference.

I'm a very anxious person, but because I'm so anxious I know that all it would take is ONE day not finding the hb to make me worse. I also noticed that, the last time I was at the dr. they had to press really hard to find the baby, and even with a medical-grade Doppler, it still took awhile and some chasing him around to find the hb. I figured with all that trouble, a home Doppler would probably be less effective, so I didn't bother.

Still, if you feel like you need it, I say go for it. Only you're going to know if it's a good choice for you or not.

 

[Ashley1021]

Hmm.. I think it's one of those things where I don't know if it'll ease my anxiety or create more until I get one.

It's $27/ month to rent one (It retails for $500 ao I'm thinking it's a good one?)

https://www.babybeat.com/babybeat-audio-doppler-bb150.html

If you rent it twice, its more expensive than buying the one I have.
I have the Sonoline B with a 3mhz wand (and use aloe vera gel instead of buying ultrasound gel). I got it on ebay.com for $52 shipped.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Sonoline-B...914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item484ef0798a

I have he sonoline B as well! Payed $80 on amazon I believe and use aloe Vera gel as well! Works wonders!

 

[mel28nicole]

I received my doppler in the mail at 8+6, paid $45 online. I tried every day and I FINALLY got it at 10+3. I also miscarried my first pregnancy and had no symptoms of a miscarriage til I had a scan at 14 weeks that showed the baby stopped growing at 8. My doctor found it at 10+6 which confirmed what I was hearing is indeed baby. I listened a lot til about 14 weeks. Now I just listen maybe once or twice a week. I can't feel much movement yet so having the doppler is nice! Early on it took about a half hour to find the heartbeat, now I find it almost right away. Of course those first two weeks of trying were really nerve racking but I kept telling myself that I was still early (plus I'm plus size so I got a bigger belly!). Best thing I ever bought, honestly.

 

[newlywedtzh]

Thanks everyone! The general consensus seems to be they are helpful. I have an anterior placenta but am thin so thinking that might work in my favor when it comes to finding the hb?

Amb2013 I am A super anxious person naturally coupled with a history of loss which is why I haven't bought one already. Still not quite sure I want to pull the trigger!

 

[purplecupcake]

I bought a gently used Sonoline B from ebay for $38 and love it! I use it a couple times a week and am always able to find the HB

 

[Gizzyy]

Thanks everyone! The general consensus seems to be they are helpful. I have an anterior placenta but am thin so thinking that might work in my favor when it comes to finding the hb?

Amb2013 I am A super anxious person naturally coupled with a history of loss which is why I haven't bought one already. Still not quite sure I want to pull the trigger!

You shouldn't have no problem finding the HB with anterior placenta, just may notice you hear louder 'whooshing/howling sounds which is the blood rushing through your placenta. The HB should be easily distinguishable though as it's faster than your own and has a galloping horse like sound to it x

 

[sunshine03]

I also have an Angel Sounds one which I got off amazon at about 17wks - I have used it a few times a week and have always found the heartbeat. I would say go for it, if you don't find the HB, put it away, have a cold drink and something to eat then try again 1/2 an hour later. Xx

 

[Linnypops]

I have anterior placenta and an average sized, also after a very recent loss am incredibly anxious. It took me about a week to find the hb, but got it a little after 9 weeks and never had any issues finding it. For me It didn't make the anxiety worse and prevented a lot of phone calls to the early pregnancy unit especially as I didn't feel proper movement till 21 weeks and had bleeding early on. Best buy this whole pregnancy x