Readers Respond: Would (or Did) You Use a Baby Doppler During Pregnancy?

It's becoming more common for expecting moms to rent fetal dopplers for use during pregnancy. Some moms find using these baby dopplers to relieve anxiety, especially in pregnancy after miscarriage or stillbirth, but others find that the dopplers create more anxiety than they relieve. What's your opinion or experience? Would (or did) you use a baby doppler during pregnancy, and why or why not?

Best investment I ever made.

I miscarried at 7 weeks in my 1st pregnancy and never got to hear a heartbeat. This time I wanted to relish every day it was there. Once my doctor found it on his doppler at about 8 weeks, I had the assurance it was there. I researched it a bit and found that after 15 weeks there should be no problem finding the heartbeat unless you have an anterior placenta (which I do not), so I decided to invest in my very own. I bought one on Amazon.com that was very inexpensive. I use mine every day. I have even recorded it and sent it to out of town relatives so they are able to feel included. It has been great. My husband even saved it to his cell phone and plays it for anyone who will listen. It's amazing.

—Guest Brenda

Missed miscarriage

I just wanted to let any ladies know that my daughter ordered a doppler at 9 weeks pregnant. She couldn't find a heartbeat. I told her not to worry as it could still be a little early, she tried until the tenth week with no luck. She had a scan the following week and her baby had died. She said she had a feeling that something was wrong as she'd heard no heartbeat using the doppler. She'd had a missed miscarriage. I believe these dopplers are very good and if you are worried then rent one.

—Guest joanne

Grateful I brought a doppler

My first pregnancy ended in a missed miscarriage just before 9 weeks. This time I brought a doppler after both my babies (I'm carrying twins) had good heartbeats after 8 weeks so I would never have the shock again at an ultrasound appointment. I don't regret getting a doppler at all even though it is nerve wracking each time I use it until I find the heartbeat again. To the person that said the baby's heartbeat was 96bpm - you most likely were picking up your own pulse. It is much easier to pick up your pulse and the placenta then the baby so early on. My babies heartbeats are always in the 180s range so I know it is nothing else but coming from them.

—sugarhk

Great when your MD is not helpful

My MD wouldn't check for a heartbeat at my 9.5 week appointment... and expected me to wait until 14 weeks to find out if I was carrying a live child or had miscarried. I was freaked out by week 11 and called the office, but she refused to let me come in, just once, for reassurance. I rented a monitor, heard the heartbeat within seconds, and felt a thousand times better. Needless to say, I also switched doctors. I would definitely rent again.

—Guest mimidemama

Great but does baby like it??

I got one and have found that my little boy becomes a lot more active when I use it. I think he moves about to avoid the doppler waves! I do enjoy hearing his heartbeat though, however, limit it to only a minute or so.

—Guest Sara

Wish I'd never bought it

I bought it when I was 12 weeks, can hear heartbeat great but yesterday and today the heartbeat of the baby has dropped to 96bpm and I've got a warning alarm but don't want to ring anyone in case the thing is wrong.

—Guest paula

Saved my sanity

I used one in my pregnancy after recurrent miscarriages. I checked several times a day until I started being able to feel fetal movement. I'm pretty sure I would have gone nuts without it.

—Guest Katelyn