Question about $20 doppler...

[Ashelen]

So I've been looking for a cheap doppler to buy. I realize that the cheaper they are, most likely the less sensitive they are and the longer it will take to hear a heartbeat. However, at 7wks (and I'm overweight) they were able to get a very clear U/S of the baby with a simple external ultrasound, because my uterus is tilted forward against my belly, and they were able to feel my uterus because of how big it's gotten already and the angle it's tilted at. So now at 9+wks I'm really hopeful that even a less-sensitive doppler will pick up the HB (I'm also willing to wait around for a month or two if it doesn't show up right away....I've already seen the HB so it's just for fun/peace of mind at this point). I've read SOOO many reviews on the Bebe Sounds Prenatal Heart Listener and I'm stumped.

Most of the people who have trouble with it seem to be first time parents, so I'm wondering if they simply don't know where to look, how hard to press, etc? Or if their uterus' simply haven't stretched the same way a 2nd-or-more time mommy's might. Anyone with experience with either this doppler or a similar one please pitch in some advice...
it's only $20 so if I see it at Burlington's when I drop by later, most likely I'll pick it up....but if I end up having to order it offline I may not because of the hassle. We live in an apartment complex and if you aren't here for your packages the idiot UPS/USPS guys leave it leaning against your door. Now we're in a very safe neighborhood, but there are a lot of curious/nosy kids around here who have been known to sneak off with the packages. Even a nicely worded "please leave package at office" note hasn't helped. At any rate, please let me know if anyone has experience with these kinds of cheap home dopplers.

[Shawndell]

Thats awesome girl! I love have that reassurance feeling. I listened to my daughters one day, and fell asleep to the sound. :]

[Ashelen]

I know right? it doesn't make sense that they make them only sensitive enough (generally speaking) to hear it at 21wks+.....at that point the baby's moving and you don't need them!! how ridiculous, LOL. Yeah I just went and bought mine and I LOVE it. I can hear tiny movements (not mine...i've got a pillow over it and lying very still) and I can hear his/her heartbeat at 154. Mine's running about 96 so I know it's not mine, and it's steady and rythmic although it sounds SO different from on an in-officer doppler!!

[awalone]

i hate mine..lol
im 25 weeks and i still dont hear anything but static.. but who knows maybe it will work for you.. im just glad i can feel the baby moving around now i dont even worry about checking anymore..

[Ashelen]

Well I went and borrowed my SIL's sister's doppler (LOL) same brand as I want to buy, and we heard the heartbeat at 152 on hers....so I'm gonna go ahead and pick up my own. Like I said my uterus tilts forward against my belly so it was RIGHT there, and I'm not THAT overweight, LOL. I'm just happy to be able to use such a cool little device at home; can't wait until DH gets home so we can go buy ours :)

[faye83]

With a 20 bucks doppler + you being overweight + so early on in your pregancy theres noooo way you will be able to hear the heart. Just save the money, that thing is only going to make you paranoid and worry for nothing.

[Shawndell]

You never know girl! Try it out. My friend got that one during pregnancy and it worked for her, but not until she was about 16 weeks or so. I had a fit for one when I was pregnant with my daughter, worried about every little thing. My boyfriend didn't want me to buy a cheap one, knowing that it might not work and no return so I did some research and fount a 100.00 doppler online and got it for 45.00 total for shipping. It worked great! I plan on using it again. :]

[Ashelen]

thanks ladies!!! I think I may give it a shot....if DH doesn't complain about stopping on the way to his parents house!!! I would hesitate to get one with the digital display because I've heard they can spaz out and give inaccurate readings that freak mommys out! I don't know, I've always preferred manual heart-rate measurements to machines, so I think I would trust counting the heart rate myself more than I would trust the machine. I had a lot of experience that with my daughter b/c my heart-rate used to run 120 resting, anywhere from 140-160 when sick or moving around, so I always had to count my own heartbeat and measure it against what they were counting to make sure they weren't getting MY heartbeat. I can't tell you how many techs and nurses I had to correct because they thought 130 was the baby and I kept telling them no, it's me, feel my pulse!!!

[Atia_Julii]

I agree that many first time parents just don't know how to do it correctly.  At least that was the case with me.  I would say for $20, you may as well try, right?  And because of the tilting of your uterus, I think you'll have even better luck.

[Linzola1]

I never had one of those but I tried them! I have also heard they are awful buy second and third time parents! I guess for 20.00 its worth a shot but it is def not half as good as the ones you buy online. If you pick one up let me know how it works. ( BTW of all those who were able to detect a heartbeat were in the third trimester plus it dosnt have a counter on it so you can see what the heart beat is which makes it hard to determine if it is yours or the baby.)