Before I use my doppler

At 11 weeks - where "should" the baby be located? I don't want to search in the wrong area and freak. Thanks! And any tips on how to recognize that its the heartbeat would be helpful!

Re: Before I use my doppler

I am not sure but I think they say to check around your belly button and point it downward if I remember correctly. And please don't be alarmed if you don't hear anything sometimes you can't early on

Re: Before I use my doppler

mr dr. couldn't hear anything at 12 weeks and i flipped out. if you don't hear anything just yet, don't freak...

Re: Before I use my doppler

First of all, my best advice is that *if* you don't hear the hearbeat when you first try it out - please please do not freak!! 11 weeks is still a little hit or miss as to whether you can hear the hb or not -- the baby is still so tiny and it also depends on where he/she is positioned. I know some ladies hear the HB at 9 or 10 weeks but that is not really the norm -

I got my doppler at about 11 wks also and could not find the HB at all - but on 12 weeks to the day, I found it and have found it every day ever since

OK my unprofessional advice:
The doppler should come with a booklet and perhaps a CD that will tell you how to disginguish between the different sounds you are hearing - placenta, baby hearbeat, YOUR heartbeat etc. The baby's heartbeat at this stage is FAST - it sounds like a galloping horse and its anywhere from 120-180 beat per minute - when you find it, there's no mistaking it!

I would start using the doppler at about your pubic hairline -- and slowly work your way left/right (SLOWLY), then up towards your belly button - the baby wont be as high up as your belly button, but usually somewhere in between those two points. Press down a bit on your belly, and turn the doppler at different angles as you are moving it to try and pick the heartbeat up. It might take a LONG time to get it that first time, but just try to be patient and you might get lucky!

GOOD LUCK!!

Message edited 5/1/2006 12:56:26 PM.

Re: Before I use my doppler

Felicia pretty much said everything I was going to say.

Please don't freak, it took me 15 min to find the heartbeat that early.

Def stay on or around your pubic line, and go real slow with the doppler the baby is so small you could miss em.

Re: Before I use my doppler

If your going to hear anything, its down very low, almost on your pubic line...

You can get real confused hearing your own HB.. babys HB is much faster then yours..

Re: Before I use my doppler

Thanks ladies - you are the best! It should be arriving tomorrow.