When I was pregnant with our last baby, I used an at home doppler. I borrowed it from my sister in law. If you decide to use a doppler at home, you will need a letter from your doctor. This is a requirement of the FDA and all companies renting or selling this equipment must comply with that rule.
It’s important to use the home doppler correctly. Most come with a CD to help you. The one I used had a CD that described how to find the heartbeat. It also had baby heartbeats at different stages of pregnancy. This helps because it lets you know what sounds to look for.
When you use the doppler, you will find many sounds in your abdomen, aside from the baby’s heartbeat. You will hear your own blood flow and the sound of the placenta. Your blood flow will be much slower than the baby’s heart rate. The sounds of the placenta is similar to the sound of wind blowing through trees.
If you are nervous about finding the baby’s heartbeat, take the doppler with you to your next appointment. The doctor or midwife can help you locate the heartbeat. If you think you will panic if you don’t find it immediately, wait for your health care provider’s help. This will prevent unnecessary stress.
If you try it on your own, realize it takes several minutes to get the hang of it and locate the heart beat. When my sister in law gave me her doppler, I put it aside until after my next appointment. This was the first appointment where the baby’s heartbeat could be heard. I paid close attention and remembered the spot on my tummy where the doctor found the heartbeat. This helped me know where to look when I got home.
A doppler really isn’t necessary and most women do just fine without one. I wanted it for the peace of mind. When I got pregnant with our son, he was our fourth baby, but our seventh pregnancy. I had lost three babies in the past. Needless to say, the early months of pregnancy are very stressful around here. The doppler helped me relax and enjoy the pregnancy.
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