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August 2025 Babies
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d
dms18
So FTM here, and I caved and bought an at home Doppler. I hate it and love it. Normally I can find her and she’s her normal 140-160. Well last night when I found her, for a split second the Doppler read 197 and then I was able to see her normal 160 for about 30 seconds and I put it away. Was this just a technical problem/problem with the accuracy of At home Dopplers? I’ve read it could’ve been adding things together. I’m STRESSED. I’m 20 weeks with an anterior placenta so I can’t just feel her all the time, but did feel her re position Tuesday night and some flutters yesterday afternoon.
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h
hidzip01
it’s a technical error. I also have an at home one and even though it eases my mind, it also stresses me out when things like that happen. I think that’s why they are not recommended by OBs… but the ease 99% of the time is worth it for me ��
Don’t stress momma. ��
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d
dms18
@hidzip01,
I could throw up from relief. Thank you for commenting.
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h
hggdhjj
at home Doppler is purely supposed to be fun/ entertainment unless you are medically trained to use it.
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nicolekfa
I wouldn’t trust a number on your Doppler unless it’s on the screen for an extended period of time and you can really clearly hear the heartbeat. Mine shows the number all over the place sometimes even when what I can hear with the Doppler is a steady heart beat
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d
dms18
@nicolekfa,
good to know! Yeah, like I said that 197 was there for a split second and then it showed a steady 160!
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K
Kate0927
My midwife told me not to trust the number on the Doppler, instead just to listen for that heartbeat. You can count heartbeats if you wish. She said even in the office she would count over relying on the Doppler screen.
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M
Mtru6
@Kate0927,
this �� - count the beats don’t go by the display. So the Doppler isn’t used for too long, I have recorded on my phone the sounds of the heartbeat then do the calculation off the recording.
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Kale1204
I don’t trust the number on the doppler, especially when it said my heart rate was in the 200s. I just use it to listen to her heartbeat when I’m feeling anxious.
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G
GM621
I don’t trust the number on the Doppler screen - it’s always wrong. Grab a watch and count the heartbeat the old school way!
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M
MamaKx2Boys
Home dopplers are notorious for incorrect readings. Listen, don’t look at the number on the screen. I would get in the 200s and down to 90s all in a few seconds with mine. They just aren’t accurate
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D
DMD123
My Dr told me yesterday that babies naturally hit an accelerated heart rate for a few moments then it descends and it’s completely normal however with the Doppler they do cause stress because if we don’t know to expect that it can put us into panic mode. Especially when you get further along she said the Doppler isn’t accurate. I had one last pregnancy and I opted to give it away and will not be getting another one haha it stressed me out too much. But I totally get it, I was there too and I needed to have it last time!
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d
dms18
@DMD123,
giving it away to a friend already!!
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justanothermama01
Stress is one of the reasons at home dopplers are not recommend. If it causes you any stress at all, it is doing more harm than good. I don't look at my numbers ever. They make NO sense. For example, my own resting bpm will say 155 and then babies is 125? Clearly, just by sound alone, hers is way faster than mine. I only use my doppler as a way to connect and say Hello to my little one. I look at the screen for timing as I try to keep it between 3-5 minutes on average. I also enjoy hearing the little bloops when she's moving around. Nothing medical whatsoever, otherwise, we'll drive ourselves crazy.
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anxietymama1998
Don’t ever read the Doppler, just listen and you’ll find the pattern
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