I am looking at an in home medical grade doppler to rent for the next 6 weeks until the baby starts moving. Has anyone used the Heartbeats at Home brand? http://www.heartbeatsathome.com/
I know I will get poo-pooed for this post as there are a lot of strong opinions about it. I should also say that I do not believe that ultrasounds are harmful to the baby.
If this isn't the best brand can someone recommend a good one?
Thanks!
I ended up getting a fetal pocket doppler 3mhz off of ebay for $80. It was THE BEST PURCHASE I'VE EVER MADE!!!! It works perfectly, started getting a clear heartbeat right away, 12 or 13 weeks and I've used it a couple times a week every since. I'm 19 weeks now and it has given me so much peace and tranquility. I think they should give one to EVERY expectant mother that's a little nervous!
I don't know if this is the brand I used, but I can say that I loved having one throughout my pregnancy. Don't let anyone poo-poo you! If you are stressed, it is not good for the baby, and I found using one of these greatly alleviated my stress. It was years ago, but the brand I found was in the back of one of the big pregnancy/parenting magazines.
I used one with both my girls. Made me feel better and it was a really cool thing for my older kids to hear. My 2 year old LOVED hearing her baby sister's "heartbeep". I bought one for about $100. It is a Bebe brand doppler. It looks like the ones used at your OB's office. It isn't quite as strong though. I was 16 weeks when I was able to hear well, and then until I delivered. I lent it to a friend and she heard her baby at 12 weeks.
Please talk to your doctor about renting a doppler. If your doctor thinks it's ok, then he/she can recommend a brand to you. If your doctor doesn't, then please consider his/her advise.
I actually found a hospital grade doppler (the same kind they use at my obgyn's office in fact) at a second hand baby store, I think I paid $30 for it. When I googled this partcular model, it retails to hospitals for $998!!!! WHAT A DEAL!! Try looking around at second hand baby stores and consignment shops, you never know what you'll find!!
Shame on anyone who would "poo-poo" on you for this. I lost two babies before I was finally blessed with the two boys I have now and I got fetal dopplers with both of them. I was so scared and paranoid throughout the pregnancies and it gave me such piece of mind to have one. With my first child we rented one from Storkradio.com and the prices were very reasonable. With my second child I realized that I should've just bought one and I would've saved some money in the long run. I ended up buying one on Ebay for about a $100 and then when I was done with it re-sold it on Ebay and basically made all my money back on it. Just be careful if you buy it on Ebay and read the comments to make sure the seller is a good one. I talked to my OB before I rented one and he said it was safe. They were actually very impressed with the one I rented and when I brought it into my appointment they showed me exactly how to use it. Whenever I got nervous I pulled that out and got instant piece of mind! If you're stressed out, it's not good for the baby! Don't waste your money on the cheapy ones you can buy in the stores. They don't really work. You need a hospital grade fetal doppler. I hope this helps! Congrats and good luck!
As a mom who had 2 losses after our first daughter, my husband & daughter bought me one at Babies R Us (Cant remember the name of it but it was great) when I became pregnanct with our 2nd daughter. It was about $50 and we used it for that pregnancy and for our 3rd daughter. I want to say it was a Graco brand. Either way I asked my OB/GYN and my Dad (a Pedi) and they said there was nothing wrong with using them. I liked having it especially when baby wasn't moving/ being quiet or when Big Sissy was "talking" to her new sister (she was 5/7 for the pregnancies).
For me it was a nice reassurance that everything was ok :)
Basically I am saying don't rent the medical grade, get your own - you can use it anytime then :)
