fetal heartbeat rentals

[swensonz]

Hello all<
Has anyone rented a fetal doppler before? I rented one for my wife and i and attempted to us it tonight how ever i am not sure i am doing it right. I am looking if anyone has rented or used before and if so what tricks or suggestions might have,,, wife is about 11 to 12 weeks
Best wishes to everyone and there soon to come babies...
Zane

[lena241]

Sounds like you wife might be getting into this pregnancy idea a little more.

The doppler I used (4 years ago) required that I use a Jelly such as K-Y Jelly for a lubricant. Since she is 11-12 weeks along, while lying on her back, you will want to place the doppler just above her pelvic bone to get hear the heartbeat. Her uterus isnt any larger than the size of a small grapefruit right now, and probably wont move to just below her belly button until the 14-16th week. You will have to refer to the manual you received when they rented it to you.

Remember that it isnt suggested that she lay flat on her back for extended periods of time as it cuts off blood supply to major blood vessels.

Good luck

Amanda

[dd]

Wow! Where in the world do you rent one of those? I'm dying to hear my baby's heartbeat again everyday! I'd actually love to own an ultrasound machine, so I can see my baby everyday, but that's just a dream.

[swensonz]

Storkradio.com.. good luck i got it for 3 months for 60 dollars. Having hard time finding heartbeat, sometimes i think i found it

[c_helwig89]

I have one, because a girl I work with had bought one for her pregnancy and gave it to me when I found out I was pregnant. According to the website, I shouldn't be able to find the heartbeat easily until 5 months (I'm 14 weeks now) but I found the heartbeat pretty easily. Just remember that you will find your wife's heartbeat first, and you will have to move around a little to find the baby's heartbeat. It is considerably faster. If you hear a swishing noise (it's the nutrients passing through the cord to the baby) than you are close, just move around a little more...

[gostomskiart]

Also remember there may be times when you don't find the heartbeat. That doesn't not mean you need to be concerned, I've just read that the home machines can do that.

[swensonz]

Well since i got the doppler wife has let me use it 3 times, but understress, she finally told me right now does not make her feel good about her self.
But i was able to find something? the last time. IT sounded heartbeat like but the display only showed a reading of 80 -85 bpm, but then it read 155 - 175 but could not hear anything. So i am not sure, confussed and worried. That was like monday, wife says using it makes her uncomfortable and that it is dumb cause we dont know what we are looking for and are not OB's.
I am just worried that there is no heartbeat at all. She says we're not OB's and that all is fine. I like the doppler but i also really would like her next appt to get her (sept 15th) so i can hear and calm nerves. It does not help she has been fighting nasal problems that are causing her nausea (which she has not had at all tell a week ago), and head pain. Doc told her she could take Chlortrimaton and Tylenol, but that makes me nervious. Oh well, just the husband, she says all good. She did say the last two nights we could try again if make me feel better ( even though it is dump and we're not doctors), but she has fallen asleep with our other kids first.
So doppler has to wait and i have to wait tell doctor appt on 15th....

[gostomskiart]

swensonz, the 80-85 bpm was probably your wifes heartbeat as the doppler will pick that up too. You should really use this doppler as a "fun" tool but not as one to make sure there is a heartbeat all the time. The reason being, well, they are just not as accurate as a dr. using theirs and knowing what they are listening for.

Try hot tea for nausea, ginger or mint is supposed to be good for that upset stomach. Also, my dr. said tylenol was fine too so just go with what the dr. says.

I know it is nerve-wracking but remember that your stress will also feed into her emotions and what she is feeling. Try to be more lighthearted about it (hard I know, with your situation) but it may help to lighten her mood too. Good luck!

[sakhan01]

I decided not to get an ultrasound rental. I was concerned about the cost, safety, etc...
When I was 29 weeks pregnant, I got a stethoscope from a medical supply store (for approximately $18). I tried listening to the baby's heartbeat and it worked. When I lie down flat on my bed (my legs straight), I can hear it distinctly. At first the heartbeat was right at the level of my belly button. But two days later, the baby must have moved into a head down position because the heartbeat was almost near my pubic bone.
(My baby's heartrate is close to 150 beats per minute. So, I know I'm not listening to my own. And, I am able to find the heartbeat each and every time I use it).