So, I caved last night and bought the Target doppler

[wanting4#1]

Even though I am 12w4d and it says right on the box that it works best during the middle of the second trimester, I couldn't resist buying it! I am feeling plenty of symptoms still, but with the NT scan on Thursday, my anxiety level is rising!

(I'm so nervous that I am going to go to a scan and they are going to say "I'm so sorry")

So, I put it on last night and while it wasn't crazy obvious or even consistent, I swear that I heard something. Is it even possible to have heard a heartbeat this early with a $20 heart monitor from Target????

My bbs are still sore and some times the blue veins are so obvious and there's more showing; other times, there's nothing...but if it was a missed miscarriage, I wouldn't still have really sore bbs, would I? (We saw the baby dancing at 9w5d...so it would have to have happened in the last 3 weeks....but I've still had bouts of nausea, headaches, heartburn, increased carpal tunnel, sore bbs....that doesn't sound like a missed miscarriage, does it?)

Sorry to be rambling on and on...but the closer the scans get, the more nervous I get! :P

[amylove101]

also don't do it very often so no harm comes to baby

[amylove101]

you can detect heart beat very early you have to use the gel start in middle of abdomen above pubic bone if early along must press a little not a lot and angle it down move toward pubic bone slowly then  if cant be heard then  towards the sides it will take awhile to find since baby is very small at this point but can be heard. but is possible

[DADAT47]

@ultrasound, you are correct.  According to the AIUM practice guidelines, these devices should not be available at all. The users do not know about MI, TI, cavitation, and the increased intensity of Doppler. Bioeffect of increasing fetal temperature!  BTW, I am a perinatal sonographer.

[Ulrasound]

I am an Ultrasound Technologist and know for a fact that increased exposure to ultrasound has the potential to cause biological harm to a fetus, especially in the first trimester. This risk of harm increases substantially with the use of home fetal Doppler monitors because it is a different type of ultrasound wave than used in diagnostic ultrasound. Ultrasound in the hospitals are controlled and monitored for safety of the fetus, with trained professionals who only scan as long as necessary (closer to 30 minutes). Please don't use these devices, as someone who knows the potential harm they can cause to your baby!

[wanting4#1]

Thanks, Jessicatlc - those were very thoughtful and kind words! I truly appreciate them ;)

I'm going to order my Angel monitor in a couple of days, so I'm pretty excited!

[jessicatlc]

You don't sound like a broken record, you sound exactly like I did when I was at 9 weeks. I also had a missed miscarriage earlier this year, and then a second pregnancy with a normal ultrasound at 9wks 3days. And I swear, if I didn't have every symptom in the book--I was terrified. If it makes you feel any better. I had days where my bbs weren't really sore, or just barely tender, then days where they were, days where I was convinced they had shrunk, days with no nausea, days where I felt almost normal...and I immediately began the process of obsessing about a loss.

Here's the good news, I just had a doctor's appointment at 16 weeks and everything was still okay. Like you, I live in terror before a scan--I can't bear to hear that apology again, can't bear to find out the way I did before. In fact when I heard the heartbeat, she had to stop because my crying messed everything up. You're not alone in your fear, and there's nothing untoward in your thoughts and requests for reassurance. It helps me just to know that someone else has felt the same fears and sadness, makes me feel less alone and afraid.

And remember, there's such a small chance of miscarriage when you've seen the heartbeat at that stage, so try and take some comfort. Also, don't panic about wavering and fluctuating symptoms--for me it was normal, and my doctor confirmed that this sort of fluctuation is VERY normal.

Take care...my thoughts are with you!

[sherrysb]

i bought my angel doppler from amazon.com and it works GREAT! Only $40.  I was only 10 weeks when I started hearing him swishing and swashing in there.

[adgal]

I bought mine on E-Bay for about $115.00 (it's probably cheaper for you, everything is more expensive here).  I guess it's a good one, my OB thought so.  I do think though that using the one you have when your further along will probably work fine.  Remember, baby is really teeny tiny right now and probably very active.  Don't let it bring you more anxiety.  You are practically in 2nd trimester now and out of "danger" zone!  

[PamelaBee]

Just a thought...if you buy a better grade doppler, you will have better luck finding the HB each time, as the power is stronger.  When your baby is born, sell it on ebay, you will get your money back (or close to it), they are in high demand and always an excellent seller/buyer item.  Renting them can add up, then you have to return it to the company.  

[blessedmomof3]

I rented a doppler and use it everyday. It has been so great. I was abled to hear baby's HB at 10 weeks. I can also hear when the baby kicks at it....LOL and sometimes I even feel it a bit. I think it is the best investment I have made. No more anxiety.

[wanting4#1]

I'm considering returning my Summer Heart-to-Heart and buying the Angel doppler. It's only about $40 and EVERYTHING that I have read says that you can hear the baby as early as 9-10 weeks!  I'm going to wait and chat with my DH when he gets home tonight!

Did you get your Angel from FaceLake?

[sherrysb]

I bought my angel doppler at  9 weeks and after searching for hours and days for a heartbeat I finally got it after reading online how to find it.  I was soooooo excited.  I learned that you should put the doppler close to the pelvic area and leave it there slightly tipping the doppler up and down.  Once I found it, it was music to my ears. In the beginning I heard the amniotic fluid and the baby moving it was soooo cool.

[YvetteY]

Also...you may have been picking up your own hearbeat or pulse.   I don't believe it was the doppler.  Seems to be too early.

[YvetteY]

I would agree about renting a doppler vs the one at Target.  I can't imagine that it is of good quality compared to the kind you can rent.   You know the saying..."You get what you paid for..."     And I'm just saying this doppler could lead you to unnecessary worry...if you try to use it and it doesn't work, it just might end up scaring you rather than giving you the reassurance you need.    You can rent some online, but I'm not sure of the quality.   Personally I chose never to use one as I didn't know how and didnt' want to give myself false scares.  Also make sure you know the gestational age for when the HB can be detected by the doppler.  I've forgotten, but I think you may be a wee bit early for the HB to be picked up on the doppler.

[bny807]

oh i meant to say, you should ask your dr about renting a doppler (one that is like the ones they use in their office) you can use that for a few months until the "over the counter" one works! : )

[PamelaBee]

I can so relate to your post when I was that many weeks with both my pregnancies.  I needed some kind of sign that all was progressing well and normal, especially inbetween appts and u/s's.  I too bought a doppler with this pregnancy, although it was much pricier and picked up the HB at 10wks, I did have the confidence after hearing the HB that all was A-ok.  It sounds like you're going to be just fine, and all is going well with your baby.  Try to relax and enjoy...Pam

[bny807]

congrats on yalls pregnancies!!!!   I also have had a doppler since about week 9 or so.. and boy it caused me more anxiety at times!!! it was a medical grade one, so i should have been able to hear as early as 10 weeks or so, but even at 12 weeks it would take me almost thirty minutes to find it.. and i would freak out about not finding it, since i could hear it one day and not the next!    i wished i could just strap a constant monitor on my belly always! haha, i still want a constant monitor, and still worry and i'm 26 weeks! I think my worry will finally go away once she is in our arms! I was the same way though, before every ultrasound i just get so scared (and still do!) after having one missed mc.. it makes it sooo much harder to relax!  as far as finding the heartbeat that early, i woudl have to go really really low, basically on my pubic bone down there and kind of jab it under that bone.. and thats where i could find it, usually on one side or the other!  GOOD LUCK!! i'm sure your scan will be great!!!! : )

[wanting4#1]

You are such a wonderful person! I've been lurking on here, but haven't posted much since I always feel like a broken record..."worried about this; anxious about that"...but I am so glad that I broke down and posted because as usual, you have made me feel better!

We are going to go public on Friday (assuming that all goes well with the u/s on Thursday) and I think that I have some anxiousness about that, too...excited, but anxious!

I've been checking in on ya...looks like the spotting as stopped, right? I light a candle every Sunday for you...I can only imagine the stress/frustration that would have caused me!

When's your next appt/scan?

[adgal]

There you are!  I was beginning to worry about you a little bit.  I am about a week further along then you, and I still can't make mine work properly.  My OB had no problem with it when I brought it in to her.  She told me it is very difficult now because the baby is still so small and moving around a lot.  As we get further on and baby gets bigger it will get easier.  I can find it now for a brief second or two, then it's gone, so I can never get a proper reading.  I put the thing down and don't plan on trying it again for a few more weeks, it just causes more stress.  

My blue veins come and go as well....I think that's normal.  Have a look in the morning's, mine seem to be more obvious then (although not always).  With a good ultrasound at 9.5 weeks and no sign of loss, I would bet anything you are just fine.  One of my miscarriages was missed and I had absolutely no symptoms left at all...nothing.  That is the main thing that prompted me to see my OB and ask for antoher ultrasound.  I think in my heart I just knew.

Sweetie, the anxiety is so normal, but you are so close to being able to relax.  I think that once you see on the next ultrasound that all is fine you will start to be able to enjoy.  I know I am now and it's a great feeling.  You are not rambling on, your being normal, and getting these feelings out is what this forum is for.  It's important to not hold it in.    I too always start to get more anxious before a scheduled ultrasound...we have had bad news with them before so sometimes it's hard to believe we won't again.  But this time is different....everything has gone well for you so far and I just know it will continue to.  You will probably feel anxious for the next two days, then you can celebrate!!  End of first trimester and I know good news...just hang in there and in the meantime, post your feelings regularly if you need to.  It helps, I know!!

(((((hugs))))) and lots of love girlfriend.  You and I are going to get through this and we'll be snuggling our beautiful babies before we even know it!!  Then we will look back and make fun of ourselves for worrying so much... XOXO