FETAL DOPPLER / HEART RATE MONITOR

[daniplusone2009]

OK, before i begin, i just want to say that this is my first successful pregnancy after a total of 8 prior miscarriages all before about 6 weeks.  I am so nervous and extremely excited.

I have been looking into the fetal heart monitors and I want to get one so badly.  I want to know if any of the other first time mothers and previous mothers have ever used one, and was it a good buy.  Also if you enjoyed the device, which did you use?   Thanks.  and I am currently 13w4d.  So all is well. I recently had the N/T scan, and everything is in order. i  just would like to have this machine to feel even closer to my unborn child.

[daniplusone2009]

I am so happy that everything is going well for you.  I will update you tomorrow after my dr appt.   I am so excited for everyone.  :-)

[stefanie1976]

I went to the doctor and the heartbeat was just fine @ 150 bpm.  My doctor said to throw out the fetal doppler because it registers mostly your own heartbeat - rather than the baby's.

That scare and tension is enough for me to put it on sale on ebay.

[daniplusone2009]

I hope that everything is fine with you.  I am sure that it is fine.  I know in my hand book it states that at different times depending on when you use the "at home" devices, the hr will vary due to the lack of it being a hospital grade device.   They are usually pretty accurate however, when at home, we are usually not at ease the way we are at a doctors visit and that in itself can make the hr seem altered.  I wish you the very best and lots of luck.  keep us posted and let us know what happens at your next visit.  :-)

[stefanie1976]

I actually need to take back what I wrote on an earlier post on this thread.  I have been using the Bebe Fetal Doppler.  Although the heartbeat was heard and counted perfectly, these last few times I used it the heartbeat it measuring a lot less and it is worrying me.  My next doctors appointment is next Wednesday so it is a brutal wait - I hope that the doppler is just wrong.  Freaking out here.

[daniplusone2009]

Hi Everyone, I actually decided to purchase a fetal Doppler and it is the Baby Sound B Fetal Doppler.  It works great.  I heard the heart beat the very first time that I used it.  It was so nice.  I have only used it twice as I am not trying to go overboard.  :-)    

pinkie123, I would love to chat with you and anyone else that has been through what we have.  It is always nice to form bonds with someone that understands something that you have gone through.  Oftentimes we think that it is just us that is going through it and being on this site has taught me that I am not the only one.  I am now 14w2d.   Congrats to everyone to making it to their 2nd trimester.

[pinkie123]

Hi hun very sorry to hear about your previous mc I too had 3 mc and im am now 15 week and still feel anxious about the pregnancy keep expecting something to happen I bought the angelsound doppler and its really good and affordable I bought mine from chinavasion.com there are other sites that you would get sooner but its cheaper from this site if you ever want a chat I am hear just leave me a comment it would be night to talk to someone that knows exactly how i feel

[niki_beth]

Oh... and one more thing... I NEVER thought I would use mine after DS started moving all around and I could feel him kick, but I gotta tell you, one day he stopped moving as much (must have been a growth spurt or something)... and although the OB got me right in for a NST.... In the 25 min it took for her office to call me back that doppler kept me from becoming completely hystarical!!

[niki_beth]

I was about 155-160 when I got pg and staggering between 160-164 now (I constantly fluctuate in weight) but I'm only 5'3... I had no issues finding the h/b at 9 weeks with the 3mhz (Fetal Pocket) doppler. When I was pg with DS I was only slightly smaller, and had only slight problems (took a lot longer, but worked just as well) finding the h/b with the 2mhz (Hi BeBe) doppler.
Good Luck!! I definitely recommend craigslist or ebay. I also looked into renting (their dopplers look nicer!), but I figured by the time I had used it for a few months I could have paid for my own, then when I was done I could sell it and make half my $ back for baby stuff LOL!

[daisiema]

I was 186 when I got preg now 176 and 5.7 and I find HB every time. like I said in my last post I only use mine once a week but I have found HB since 8 weeks.Hope to help

[daniplusone2009]

I think that i am going to purchase one next week.  I have read reviews of what is considered good and what is not even worth spending money on.  I think i am going to do it sooner rather than later because i was tempted to go to target and purchase one until i read the review.  the reason for going to target was to avoid the shipping time frame, however, it seems as if all the decent dopplers are all purchasable via online ordering of some sort.  I can not wait to hear my little ones heart beat.  Thank You all for all of your suggestions and review information as to how the products work for you.  Once I purchase one, I will be sure to let you guys know which one it is, and how it works for me.  

And I do have one final question, one of the things that I have read is that if you are a larger woman, it may be more difficult to pick up the heartbeat.  I am not a large woman, but i am not 120-150 pound range either.  I am 5'9 and weigh 180.  I am wondering if there are any women out there that used a doppler that weigh about 180 or more and had success with particular dopplers.   This is such a special time for mothers and fathers, its a sneak peak into the future.  I love technology.   Thanks again.    :-)

[Gracies_Mommy]

I rented one from Dynamic Doppler it was so much cheaper, I didn't think I'd use it much once the baby started moving.  I loved it!! You should absolutely look into it.  Stress isn't good for you or the baby.  I will probably get one this time too.

[stefanie1976]

I too just got one . . for peace of mind (although my family thought I was crazy).  They know how freaked out I would get if I didnt hear a heartbeat.  But like most of you, the reassurance of hearing the heartbeat is far better FOR ME.  I got the 2 mghz Hi Bebe and it works great.  There are the 3 Mghz out there also, but I read some reviews and moms have said that the 2mghz picks up the HB better.  Who knows.  I like mine - works great.

[wanting4#1]

I love mine! I agree with QuinnsMomma that it can have the opposite effect, if you don't find the heartbeat, but you just need to remember that!  I promised myself that I wouldn't freak out if I didn't find it, and I didn't with the cheapie Target one. But I purchased a Hi-Bebe B200 (2mHz) and found it the first try and have heard it every day...

The one thing to keep in mind is that the baby is lower than what you might think (I had to go to much closer to my pelvic area than I originally thought!)

Good luck!

[daisiema]

I too have bought one off ebay for $80 and could hear babys HB at 8 weeks. I use it once a week so i dont go crazy :) I also have the 3mhz Fetal Pocket Doppler! I love it.

[niki_beth]

I got one when I was 8 weeks (I also have a history of m/c) and I LOVE it!!!!!! I listen EVERY day, sometimes 3-4 times a day!! I have been able to hear my babies h/b since 9 weeks!! I got mine on ebay from a retailer for under $100 with shipping. Its a 3mhz Fetal Pocket Doppler!! I HIGHLY recommend them!! I also had a Hi Bebe when I was pg with DS (that I also LOVED) that I got for around $100 on ebay! The only reason I bought new this time was because I sold mine after DS was born (thought we were done with babies), personally I like my new one better. Seems to be more durable and I could hear that h/b earlier (only by like a week or so though).
I did have a few scares with DS where I couldn't find his h/b, but if I just waited about an hour or so and tried again with a full bladder I always found it. I guess its just one of those things you have to prepare yourself for. Its GREAT reassurance, but every once in a while you might get a scare. The reassurance for me outweighed the few times that I had a hard time tracking down the h/b, but I do understand why some women wouldn't want one.

[Quinns momma]

I know some of the women on here got good ones on Craigs List for around $60. Otherwise they are pretty pricey.  I am convinced I am having a girl. I will be shocked if it is a boy. :) LOL

[daniplusone2009]

Wow, second trimester, that sounds so great!!!!!!  I was honestly thinking the same thing.  (about not finding the hb and then possibly freaking out)  It felt so good to go to the dr's office and hear the heart beat.  I keep wanting to say "his" hb.  I am convinced i am having a boy after seeing those u/s photos.  Who knows.  If I  get a fetal monitor i will be sure to inform everyone of what I think.  I think the price will dictate whether i get it or not.  they are pretty pricey for one that looks decent.

[Quinns momma]

I never had the desire to get one. I think they provide great reassurance for many women but I also know many women who have bought them and freaked out non-stop when they could not find the baby's HB. I think in that situation it causes needless stress as often times baby was positioned in a way that the hb could not be picked up easily. They then run to the doc who is able to find it.  Every woman is different but I would never get one.

Congrats by the way on making it to the second trimester. I am so happy for you!