Doppler arrives today
So the doppler will be arriving just in the proverbial nick of time. Because honestly, I’m losing my mind here. The girls aren’t as sore, my dependable double-sneezing thing has disappeared, and I slept the whole night through without getting up once to pee.
You see? Definite reasons for panic. I am SO justified in this unreasonable terror.
Seriously, I’m having a tough time. Being off prednisone makes me feel so good that I’m convinced it’s killed Thor. And only a heartbeat’s gonna make me feel better. Thanks to the tracking page that BabyBeat so thoughtfully provided for me (and what DID we do before tracking pages.) My doppler left Maspeth in Queens on a UPS truck at 4:36 this morning. It will totally be here today. Thank you, UPS!
But meanwhile? I”m gonna gnaw my fingernails to stubs. I’m going to mash my boobs against my ribcage repeatedly, in the hopes that I’ll be able to detect more tenderness than the last time I mashed my boobs against my ribcage. I’m going to stare at lights, hoping to encourage a sneeze (which might be a double, pregnant sneeze, you know) and I’m going to analyze every twinge, every pain, every tickle.
I want it to be September already.
Yes, you ARE justified in unreasonable terror, after this long year. (14 weeks is also uncharted territory for you; perhaps its just time that the breasts stop being so tender.) I know for me, after only one loss, it was so hard to believe I’d have my happy ending. I spent 36 weeks wondering when the bad thing was going to happen. LG’s six, and I’m still not entirely convinced she’s MINE for the keeping. May the doppler bring you some peace of mind and joy, until the next encounter with the ultrasound machine.
Promise me: if you have trouble finding a heart beat, just call your OB and beg an ultrasound, ok?
Torture is So overrated.
And reassurance? Priceless.
XOX
kate
PS it is not that I think something is wrong– I don’t.
I know dopplers can be pesky
and I know panic sucks ass. and, as I said, a little reassurance goes a long way.
that’s all.
XOXO
I really hope the doppler is easy to use- and you can hear a nice strong fast heartbeat with ease. I agree with Kate – if you can’t hear it – just get another u/s. Pronto.
And while I have zero experience with this – isn’t the second trimester supposed to be the one where you feel great, physically? Maybe that’s what’s going on. But I get the terror, I’d wanna be reassured at all times too.
((((HUGS))))
I understand. Which is why I have no advice to give. That sucks. *hugs* Hope it comes soon and eases your anxious heart.
Eagerly awaiting your happpy and relieved post-doppler-arrival post!
Look, are you sure it’s a great idea to get this Doppler? I really think it might be too much. The baby is fine, he is really fine. Please look at this link (and there are a thousand more even more dire, but this one is kind of “official”).
http://www.americanpregnancy.org/pregnancyhealth/commemorativeultrasound.html
We don’t really know what the long-term effects of these technologies are when used more than every once in a while. Many neurological problems are increasing in children, just as the use of sonogram technology is increasing. I am 14 weeks pregnant too, I am also super paranoid, I call OTIS every day, etc etc. I would LOVE to listen to my little guy’s heartbeat, but I’m not willing to over-subject him to the kind of frequencies that exist in these contraptions. Dopplers and ultrasounds are things I get at the doctor’s, and they are always willing to give one. Anyway, sorry to be the devil’s advocate here, but I just don’t want you to panic down the road because you reacted to your fears this way.
Taffy
Please give us an update as to your state of mind once said Doppler has been received and when you have success in hearing Thor’s beating heart.
I am always only an email away if you are having trouble or want reassurance as to how to find it.
And, the ultrasonic technology used to detect fetal heart rate and translate it into an audible sound you can hear has not been shown to have any adverse affects on mother or fetus.
You will have success in locating Thor’s heartbeat. Here’s my suggestion. Once you have the doppler “goo” on your tummy, spread it around with the probe before you turn the doppler on. Otherwise, the doppler will make some crazy noises. Move the probe very slowly. You should be able to hear the heartbeat before the digital reading pops up on the screen. The heartbeat will be in generally the same location each time, but if you can’t find it, for example, on the left of your belly button (for as far as you are along, probably half-way between belly button and public bone), switch to the right side. I did have one panic when I couldn’t find it, but when I tried the other side, there it was beating away. Once you get the hang of the doppler, it will seriously, take 10 seconds to locate the baby’s heartbeat. I don’t listen to the heartbeat for more than the time it takes to pop up the digital heartrate reading. As I understand it, a doppler operates at a different frequency than a visual ultrasound equipment. The link the above poster listed was relating to memory ultrasounds which can be 30 minute sessions, etc. It takes lots of 10 second doppler readings to equate to a 30 minute extra ultrasound. I COMPLETELY understand the need for reassurance and you are going to love the doppler.
I could not understand more the need to get a doppler — I was right there with you, except I stupidly listened to my doctor and did not get one, putting myself through needless torture (and also torturing the nurse whom I called several times in the late first/early second trimester for extra heartbeat checks…she happily obliged but I’m sure she thought I was insane). But I would just echo what mekate said about not finding it…it’s still early so if you don’t find it right away please don’t worry (I just read that and realized how stupid it is…please don’t PANIC — I know you will worry — and just call and ask to go in for an extra heartbeat check at your doctor’s office).