I LOVED my doppler!! There were several occasions when I couldn't find the heartbeat in the early weeks but after that it was very easy to find. Sometimes the crazies just got the best of me and when they did I'd go use my doppler and feel MUCH better! I made up my mind before I got it that I wouldn't obsess over it and I didnt. As long as you can have a doppler and stay sane I HIGHLY recommend one :)

I'm sorry your doctor said no, I haven't had one yet but I do plan on getting one for my next pregnancy and my doctor was fine with it. My justification for it was, if I ever think something is wrong I will go to the Birthing Center or call my doctor so I'm no using it to replace prenatal care. I know it may be hard to find the heartbeat which is why I won't use it until around 20 weeks when it should be easier to find. Another reason I don't want to use it until 20 weeks is because anytime before then they can't save the baby so I wouldn't want to worry myself. After that point it would just be for my reassurance plus I really want to cherish this pregnancy so I would love to hear my baby's heartbeat as much as I can, it may be the only time I can hear it (I guess getting it before 20 weeks for this reason would be okay, so maybe I will) I think the medical world worries about it because they think women won't go see someone if they think something is wrong. I don't really know why some doctors say no. My doctor said whatever I had to do to make myself feel comfortable. I have also read that babies heart beats can dip if in distress days before passing away and if your monitoring at home and notice a dip in your babies heartbeat then you can go have the baby monitored and possibly catch something that could go wrong.

You can also rent one versus buying one to make it more affordable. Maybe mention Dr. Collins to her (or him whatever it is and show them all his studies to get them on board) I say if its something you want that will make you comfortable then go for it! Of course I haven't used one yet so I'm not sure how much they help but I do have every intention to use one next time.

I went back and forth about it. At 14 weeks my anxiety really started to take over and I almost bought one. But then I started feeling movements so I decided to hold off. My OB actually encouraged me to get one and I declined. I decided not to get one because I knew that it would cause me anxiety if I couldn't find a HB. I worried I might become obsessive over it. I also was worried that it may give me a false sense of security. I had read a story about a woman who ignored a decrease in kick counts because her doppler picked up a heartbeat only to find out her baby had passed away. Now if I could have a home ultrasound to check my stupid placenta every single day I would be on that right away! :)

I think your doctor is a little out of line in the way she spoke to you, or the way she just said 'no.' Tiny Heartbeats is out there for a reason, and the loss you experienced is THE reason it exists. We all need as much help as we can get when we're going through a subsequent pregnancy. For her to make that kind of snap decision is quite ridiculous. Yes, maybe you're not a professional, and yes, maybe there will be times when you have difficulty finding the heartbeat. However, would she prefer that you call her up every time you worry about movement and go in, when if you had the doppler at home you wouldn't have gone it at all? I mean seriously, anything that will help ease your stress levels HAS to be a good thing. I hate doctors sometimes, they act as if they have ALL the answers and know EVERYTHING. If they were so damn good at their damn job then maybe none of us would angel mom's in the first place. Sorry, I don't mean to vent, but I think doctors need to wake up to stillbirth and start taking as many steps as they possibly can to make sure it doesn't happen again, and also make sure that they do EVERYTHING that WE need them to do in a subsequent pregnancy. Sorry, don't mean to vent. But I'm getting one as soon as I possibly can - so that it helps me to not go as nuts as I think I will go without one.

Here's how I feel - If the doppler causes me additional stress, I will send it back. But for now, it's giving me something to enjoy and I think enjoying things during this pregnancy are necessary to balance out all the scariness and fear.

I'm renting one for $45 a month through Bellybeats.com I'm really pleased with them and picked up the heartbeat at 10 weeks. It also has the digital read for the heartrate. I figure if I can't find the heartbeat, yes, I will worry and go in. Yes, it might be too late, or it might just be that i wasn't able to find it. But if I'm worried wondering anyway, then I'd want to head in. If I have the doppler I can maybe assuage my own fears.

best of luck!

I asked the very same question on this Board shortly after I learned I was pregnant. And like SadiesMommy, I had an extremely difficult time deciding. Ultimately, I decided not to get one. I wanted to believe that my baby was strong and healthy and that she needed no different treatment than any other baby I would have had (if I hadn't lost one to stillbirth). I wanted to create and work on that mentality. I didn't want to become too obsessive with listening to the baby's heartbeat every day (which is what I would have done if I had gotten a doppler) -- if anything, I was worried I would have a hard time breaking from that habit of obsessively checking on her, even long after she was born. It was hard at first -- especially in the first four months -- -- and there were a few times when I really wished I had one. (During those times, I would just call the doctor and ask if I could come in for an impromptu check-up -- and my doctor let me come in anytime I wanted.) Because of this decision, I had to work hard on my positive attitude and "Baby is Just Fine" mentality. But once the baby started kicking, it became so much easier and i pay attention to her kicks every single day -- the best feeling in the world.

But your sanity is so important -- if you think it'd help you stay sane during the pregnancy, then go for it! Happy mommy means happy baby!

I decided to get one and I wouldn't do without it! I haven't had any trouble finding the heartbeat after 16 weeks. I didn't need my doctors order because I just rented mine from bellybeats.com. The one I got is the same one my doctor uses and I only pay $20 a month. I didn't bother with getting the digital read one because they said counting it yourself for 15 seconds times 4 is more accurate than the read out. I am a person that deals with anxiety anyways but I have not had a problem becoming obsessive over using the doppler. I don't feel the need to use it everyday. I use it when I'm concerned or simply want to feel more connected to her. I live an hour away from my doctor and the hospital so impromptu visits are not possible. My doppler has saved me many unnecessary trips to the doctor or ER. I think if you know the difference between a false alarm and a real concern then a doppler can be very reassuring.

I have one from tinyheartbeats.org and I LOVE it. It has saved me a couple times when I have had nightmares about losing this one or just plain wanted to here him. My husband and I decided we would do it every saturday morning and that is what we have stuck to. Today marks the spot from our last pregnancy where we found out our little girl was gone, so I will say the last week I have checked daily and I probably will for another week. Although I feel him quite often now, it is reassuring. I think whatever helps you get through the pregnancy with a little less stress the better. Good luck in your decision making :)

My OB suggested I get a doppler. She is well aware of my level of anxiety and thought it would be good for me. I am also a nurse, so maybe that's why she was a little more confident in my ability to use it properly. I am 14 weeks along now and have had it since Christmas. I have only had one scare, it actually scared my husband more than me. I knew my little one was there because I could hear movement, but couldn't find the heartbeat at first. I waited about 10 minutes and changed my position and there it was. It has been a wonderful source of comfort for me. I am starting to feel small movements every once in a while now, so I know it's just a few more weeks before I really start feeling the little one move. I think once that starts I won't be using it as often, but for now, it is such a relief when I hear the sound of that beating heart.

I have had this same internal dilemma, but then Hubby got me one for Christmas anyway so it ended up not being my decision; I have to remember he is in on this too ;) It was 80$ on Amazon. I don't think I will even talk to my doctor about it--what he says won't change my mind at this point, and I know it can't hurt me or the baby.

I think I will probably try to find the heartbeat once in while when I am curious or worried until I can really feel movement (and probably still after that because how cool?!). With my angel I barely ever felt movement, even though it should have been obvious and consistent by 28 weeks, and that made me so guilty because how was I supposed to know he stopped moving? I have decided this will help ease my anxiety, especially if this next baby is a non-mover also, and like someone else said, if it gets TOO much, I can hide it, pass it on, or send it back.

I also read that many women like to use it before they go in for their appointments. This was almost the entire deal-maker for me because every appointment I really stress out until the heartbeat is found. I found out my baby died because they couldn't find a heartbeat, not for any other reason. I have read that once they see a heartbeat there's less than 5% chance the baby will die but we all know how statistics worked for us in the past, don't we? So, even though I should have faith, that happiness about seeing the heartbeat lasts for maybe just one day. I also think at the very end, when movement decreases because of size and positioning, it will come in handy.

There is the problem of sometimes not being able to find a heartbeat, but I understand that might be the case, especially early, and if that happens I will put it away for an hour, drink some juice, and try again. The benefits outweigh the costs for me. Good luck with your decision-- it's all about stress management for us!!

I got a sonoline b off of craigslist for 30.00. I just Loved having it and checked bab every day before I started feeling movement. I would say always remember it is for a little comfort to know everything is ok but never a subistute for proper medical care. Also remember you may not always be able to find the heart and that does not mean that there is a problem just try to relax and check a little bit later. I know for me it was more of a comfort to know that he was ok then to think he was not.

My doctor didn't recommend one either but I ended up renting one. Despite my doctor's reservations she was good enough to check out the doppler, tell me it was a decent one, and show me how to use it. I don't find it all that reassuring (I'm 31 weeks now) because I know that a beating heart doesn't mean all is well. When I'm worried about the baby I tend to use the doppler first and then do a kick count. I've been told that the kick count is the one good indicator of fetal well being that we can monitor from home, and only after I get ten kicks does my anxiety ease. I have decided that I will call the doc whenever a kick count does not work (which hasn't happened yet). I will say that my anxiety was extremely high when I didn't feel movement and the most reassuring thing at that time for me to do was go to the doctor's office whenever I was having a bad day. I had an agreement with my doctor that I could come in ANYTIME I wanted and that's what I did in lieu of a doppler at that point. I am not going to return my doppler until after this pregnancy because just having it in my bedside drawer is nice... but I think we all have to do whatever it takes to ease our extreme stress levels with our rainbows. That's going to mean different techniques (doppler or no) and we have to do what we have to do. We've learned better than anyone that doctors don't actually know everything...

I highly recommend "TO Doppler." Yes, there might be times when it may take a little extra effort to find the heartbeat, but that doesn't negate the comfort that the doppler gave me. One example...I woke around 3 am to go to the bathroom while pregnant with my rainbow, Hope. She wouldn't move. I was around 9 months. I freaked out and rushed to L & D using the doppler all the way there. Her heartbeat was fine, but the lack of movement sent me into a downward spiral. The doppler is the only thing I had that kept me from complete insanity that morning. YOur dr might have a point about freaking out if you don't find it immediately, but with our rainbows we find so many other things that freak us out. If we can find any comfort, then it is worth it.
Dopplers do take a little practice but are well worth it. I bought mine on Amazon for around 100. Good luck with your pregnancy! You all are in my prayers. God bless!! xoxo

I bought one when I was about 19 weeks. I had a stomach flu and was worried to death that something was going to happen to the baby. The doppler also helped me in the bad days. I didn't use it for a few weeks now since I can feel the movement of the baby much more often.
I got a sonoline b 3MHz off from Amazon. Together with the gel I think I spent $60.
I agree with KLH81, it's all about stress management for us! :)

When I lost my angel I said I would get one... it was my first decision... but then I did my research and it said that of all the things they can monitor with baby, the heart beat is the last thing to show stress.... they monitor the amniotic fluid levels, the size of baby, and relative size of abdo and head circumference, they can monitor blood flow through the umbilical cord and in the arteries leading to the brain. They can monitor kicks and movements, and response to braxton hicks... all of these show early warnings of problems, the doppler of the heartbeat will only show problems when it is likely too late... however.... I still haven't decided if I will get one or not... I feel like it is a way of connecting with my rainbow... and for my appointments I do sit there stressed that they will not find a heartbeat... I stress alot that maybe there are already problems, coz I couldn;t feel there was any problem last time... I even remember saying to my prev OB, that I felt fine, baby was fine... I didn't understand why he wanted to induce me... now I realise that I can feel great, but that doesn't mean baby is fine... so I probably will end up getting one for peace of mind... but I know that for me it will be for emotional reasons, not for scientific monitoring reasons...
good luck with your decision!!!