November 2025 Birth Club
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Anyone else buy an at home fetal heart rate Doppler and not be able to figure it out? I purchased the “little Martins portable fetal Doppler” and my husband and I cannot figure it out. And the instructions, or lack of instructions, suck. I feel confident that baby is okay and we have our next appointment the 28th, but I was just excited to have one at home to be able to hear the heartbeat. Any suggestions or advice? Or any brands that you used that worked great?
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11 comments
Posted 05-19-25
As an L&D RN, I can tell you that the ease with which you can find baby depends a lot on the quality of the doppler and your level of experience with using one. Generally, I dont recommend that mamas who are untrained in doppler use get one because they can cause more anxiety than reassurance. 🫂 All that said, how far along are you exactly, mama? Even up until 15 weeks, it can be tricky for professionals to find the fhr depending on positioning, placenta placement, etc.
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MamaSoldierNurse88 said:
As an L&D RN, I can tell you that the ease with which you can find bab…
I’m 14 weeks and I know I have an anterior placenta
Posted 05-19-25
brttyann1 said:
I’m 14 weeks and I know I have an anterior placenta
That anterior placenta makes all the difference. It greatly decreases the odds of you find the fhr because it blocks the doppler waves. Assuming you're using transducer gel and listening fairly low on your abdomen (between the belly button and pubic bone), it's still possible--even likely-- that you won't be able to hear baby because baby is still fairly small and your placenta will take up a good portion of your uterus on the anterior side. You could try angling the doppler so that you're looking "in" at an angle from a few inches off midline, but unfortunately, there are no guarantees. Placentas do move as they/the uterus grows, however, so it is possible that at some point in the future as baby gets bigger and if the placenta's position becomes more favorable!
MamaSoldierNurse88 said:
That anterior placenta makes all the difference. It greatly decreases …
Thank you for this!
Posted 05-20-25
brttyann1 said:
Thank you for this!
You're welcome, and all the best to you! ❤️
Posted 05-20-25
I’ve found all 3 of mine pretty early 9-10 weeks. I’m not sure if it depends on body type. But mine is super super low. Like slightly above my pubic bone. TMI but basically where the hair ends lol.
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Posted 05-21-25
I only ever have found my heartbeat so not getting or borrowing one from anyone this time around. heck even towards the end of pregnancy dr will struggle with finding baby. It freaks me out.
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