When I was on hospital bed rest, I was attached to monitors 24 hours a day. I despised the contraction belt and the blood pressure monitor – they were uncomfortable and woke me up often. My favorite was the monitor that tracked Madeline’s heart. It was so reassuring to be able to look over at the monitor and see her heart beating. There were nights when Mike couldn’t stay in my room, so I’d turn up the sound of her heartbeat to remind me that I wasn’t alone.
While I’m obviously glad I’m not on hospital bed rest (and I sincerely hope I get to avoid it this time), I do miss how easy it was to glance over and know that Madeline was doing OK in there. Many panic attacks were prevented thanks to this monitor.
After I had my panic attack in Dr. Risky’s office a few weeks ago, we talked about ways to keep my anxiety under control. A Doppler was suggested. Just having the Doppler has made a difference. Knowing that I can check on Binky if I start to feel anxious is calming. I actually only use the Doppler once or twice a week even though I’m cleared for once a day.
It would be so nice to be able to turn a volume dial to hear Binky’s heart beating all the time though. For now, this will have to do.
VDog says:
Awwww honey, perfect post. Hearing that heartbeat is SO reassuring. Xoxoxoox
.-= VDog´s last blog ..No Sleep ‘Til Brooklyn! =-.
kristin says:
awwww
.-= kristin´s last blog ..Where Were You? =-.
Kathryn says:
150 just like her big sister! :o)
That little swish-swish sound must be music to your ears. Oh, I can’t wait to see how Binky will bring some joy, laughter and smiles back to you & Mike on a regular basis.
Keep up the good work Binky and Maddie we love you!
.-= Kathryn´s last blog ..A.M.A. or Against Medical Advice =-.
Tina says:
That’s what I was thinking, music to your ears.
I love that song
Monica says:
How wonderful that you are able to hear your baby’s heartbeat! I can only imagine how reassuring that must be to you. When I was in the hospital before my twins were born I loved listening to their heartbeats. I remember how depressing it was to hear other monitors, though, after they came to early and were very sick. They are four years old now and that seems like so long ago.
.-= Monica´s last blog ..Friday Favorites September 11, 2009 =-.
Molly says:
such a sweet noise.
.-= Molly´s last blog ..Grounded =-.
Erica says:
Hi there dear sweet Heather,
During my pregnancy I had to spend a lot of time too with the contraction belt and blood pressure monitor on. They were so annoying and uncomfortable but like you I just loved hearing the sound of my little one’s heartbeat and knowing she was OK in there. I remember that sound so very well. I hope you are managing not to feel too ‘panicky’ about your special Binky Bean and that hearing Binky Bean’s heart beating away on the Doppler provides you with a great source of comfort and reassurance that all is well in there. It sounds like your special Binky Bean really is doing so well. Your Precious Maddie is looking over her sister (or maybe brother) all the time. Sending you a great big hug from afar.
I hope you have a peaceful week-end.
Continue to take very good care of yourself and your Binky Bean.
With love
your friend, Erica in Luxembourg
Sally says:
Oh my goodness Heather, I too am using a Doppler at home with this new baby of mine and it is exactly the same brand as yours. Clearly we both researched well, as I find it really easy to use and it has provided many moments of reassurance. I don’t like to think where I’d be without it in this pregnancy.
I loved hearing Maddie’s heartbeat in this post. So special, thank you for sharing.
.-= Sally´s last blog ..Swirling thoughts =-.
Krissa says:
(((Hugs)))
Kate says:
Yay Binky!
Kate in NZ says:
Isn’t that just the best sound in the whole world? Hope you are starting to feel better now and the nausea medicine is winning!
.-= Kate in NZ´s last blog ..Worn out =-.
Noelle says:
I bet that sound is the most beautiful music you’ve ever heard!
.-= Noelle´s last blog ..Project 2996: Remembering Scott M. Schertzer =-.
Lynn from For Love or Funny says:
I remember feeling shocked and delighted whenever I heard the baby’s heartbeat inside me. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just put in a window to look inside whenever we want?
Yeah, I’m constantly thinking of great ideas that will never ever work…
.-= Lynn from For Love or Funny´s last blog ..Drat. Now I have to learn Chinese. =-.
amanda says:
Oh I love that familiar noise – I haven’t heard it in a long time. Sweet. xo from CT, Amanda
.-= amanda´s last blog ..chicago (the city, not the band) =-.
mindy says:
I, too, used a doppler everyday with my two kids (two miscarriages made me panic). It is the best sound in the world.
Hugs to you and your family.
Kristen McD says:
Sounds good and strong.
charlane says:
That is a fantastic sound! A Spunky little beat!
.-= charlane´s last blog ..Blood Work, Teething, and Party Planning Yay! =-.
Susan (woo222) says:
A wonderful little heatbeat. Yay!!
.-= Susan (woo222)´s last blog ..Hands =-.
Shannon Kieta says:
Heather…
Remembering when I had to be monitored everyday with Nico because his heart-rate was irregular. THAT was scary. I had to go to the hospital every day. It was defneately a bummer. After about the seventh month, his heartbeat became normal and my ultrasound of his heart showed to be normal. THANK YOU LORD! I was never so stressed out in all my life. I remember the it in my stomache. I constantly felt like I had to puke! I guess what I am trying to say is that everythng will work out for Bink! Hang in there…both of you. Your doing great so far. Lots of Love and hugs! Auntie SHannon
bsluka says:
What a wonderful sound!
Anna Marie Hinnant says:
I seriously would have that thing duct-taped to my belly all the time. I love that sound. And I love that Binky is doing so well.
MelissaG says:
Oh how I love that beautiful wooshing sound…..blessings to you.
Culpepper says:
The most wonderful sound in the world. Thank you for sharing Binky with all of us. At 150, she is a girl (without a doubt).
Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing] says:
Best sound in the world.
.-= Angie [A Whole Lot of Nothing]´s last blog ..Is sleepy, but still have awesome to spread =-.
Deborah says:
I’m so glad you have the monitor to reassure you. I have my own anxiety disorder which is controlled by daily medication, but I also have a bottle of Xanax I keep in my purse at all times, just in case I feel a panic attack coming on. It’s amazing how having a talisman of this kind can make you feel so much better about something.
.-= Deborah´s last blog ..Blast from the Past =-.
AmazingGreis says:
What a great sound!!! I’ve never heard a babies heartbeat in the womb, that is pretty amazing. Thanks for letting me live vicariously through you.
One day, hopefully not too far in the future, I hope to be a “mommy”, but until then I look to my on-line friends to fill that hole!
.-= AmazingGreis´s last blog ..Do you remember? =-.
Amy Hendrix says:
I am totally convinced Binky is a girl. There is no question in my mind.
Much love to you and your family,
Parker & Amy Hendrix
(Oklahoma City Friends of Maddie)
Lisa says:
I think that tiny, fast heartbeat is one of the best sounds in the world. It is amazing how calming it can be. That doppler must bring you such comfort.
Hugs.
.-= Lisa´s last blog ..Artificial Sweetners During Pregnancy =-.
becky aka @therealbecks says:
i was completely obsessive during my last pregnancy and rented a doppler at 5 weeks pregnant. it arrived at 6 weeks and by 8 weeks i had found her heartbeat. i listened everyday twice a day until i was 5 months and felt her regularly. i’m glad you got this. there’s nothing more comforting than hearing that sound.
Jenn says:
Hi Sweetie,
How amazing you got both of your babies heart beats on tape! I remember when I was finally successful with one of my pregnancies but at 12 1/2 weeks, I hemorriaged badly. I begged them at the hospital to please let me try to hear the heart beat with the promise I wouldn’t freak out if they couldn’t get one so early.
Finally, they gave in and tried. I held my breathe(as did everyone in the room) and cried when I suddenly I heard the sweetest, most incredible sound in the world…..my baby’s heart beat the very first time. Too this day it is one of the sweetest, most Sacred sounds I have ever heard. What an incredible gift!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
Have a wonderful day sweetheart.
Thinking of you always!
Love,
Jenn
Molly says:
I had the same Doppler and it made all the difference!
Chantel @knowmeloveme says:
Yay Binky! Keep up that strong heartbeat and keep your mama at peace.
I never thought to record my kids heartbeat when I was pregnant. Great idea!
xoxo
.-= Chantel @knowmeloveme´s last blog ..8 Years =-.
Michelle says:
Oh gosh, this post just took me back to my pregnancy. I had lots of problems, super high blood pressure being one of them. I had to be hooked up to the monitors twice a week and as soon as the familiar “whoosh whoosh” came through the speakers, my blood pressure would drop way down into normal levels every time. It was such a calming, reassuring sound. I wish we would’ve taped it like you did!
Molly says:
PS: Your husband is such a cutie!
Linda says:
I second this one your husband is such a cutie!
Tina says:
I third that. He is one handsome man
JennK says:
Oh, my aching ovaries!
.-= JennK´s last blog ..Crave. =-.
Tricia says:
The most beautiful sound in the world. xoxoxoxo
love, Tricia
Aunt Becky says:
Is it weird that I still get misty when I hear baby heart beats? Don’t answer that. I’m weird.
.-= Aunt Becky´s last blog ..Wait, Doesn’t Everybody Name Their House Plants After Their Television Husbands? =-.
nic @mybottlesup says:
whatever you need… whatever gives you relief… whatever gives you a moment of peace…
.-= nic @mybottlesup´s last blog .. =-.
Maria Delgado says:
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Jenn says:
I used a doppler for both of my pregnancies too and it gave me such a sense of relief. I’m glad to hear it is doing the same for you
Could listen to those heartbeats all day long. So soothing.
I hope your weekend is headache and nausea free!
Oh yeah….and here’s to the kick-off of football season! Whoo-hoo! Go Steelers!
Love, Jenn in CA
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..This blogging business is hard!! =-.
Michelle Pixie says:
That is the best sound to start my day with! Thanks
.-= Michelle Pixie´s last blog ..Month Eight =-.
Miss says:
How beautiful is that!
samantha jo campen says:
Hearing Theo’s heart beat while I was on bedrest in the hospital was our favorite thing too for that very reason. Then when we were cleared to go home on bedrest WITHOUT machines we freaked.
Such a soothing and reassuring sound. So glad you get some peace with it.
.-= samantha jo campen´s last blog ..Moment in time =-.
Leslie says:
That thing was a lifesaver to me during my last pregnancy. I miscarried the twin at 7 weeks and spent the next 10 weeks on bedrest with sever bleeding frequently. That was the only thing that kept me calm when I would suddenly start bleeding and I couldn’t feel the baby moving. I’m glad you have that reassurance now.
Trisha Vargas says:
I bet that is music to your ears.
Mrs. Wilson says:
That is THE best sound in the ENTIRE WORLD.
.-= Mrs. Wilson´s last blog ..pizza rolls =-.
Ms. Moon says:
The sound of life. The sound of your joy to come. The sound of the dance under your heart.
.-= Ms. Moon´s last blog ..Because He Sang Everything I Could Ever Say About It =-.
Alison says:
Wonderful. Simply wonderful.
I think of you, Mike, Maddie, and Binky each and every day.
xoxo
.-= Alison´s last blog ..Look, Ma! No twin! =-.
Glenda says:
Precious sound! Priceless to be able to hear Binky’s heart and know he/she’s okay. The sound of life! So happy for you and Mike! Sending you hugs XX and wishing you a good weekend! take care of YOU!
Leslie says:
Such a beautiful sound! How very nice to hear.
Love you.
Laura says:
I love that sound. I remember hearing it for the first time with my daughter. I sobbed (happy cry).
J says:
OK. That’s just cool
.-= J´s last blog ..Low is bad, in this case =-.
Heidi Lee says:
Heather-
On a day that holds so much heartache for some many people in our country, you have been on my mind. I came to your blog and found this…your first video of Binky. How sweet. You are such a wonderful mother. I am praying for you and Mike today and for little Binky as she (ok, maybe he) is growing.
Much Love & Prayers-
Heidi Lee
catherine lucas says:
Sounds pretty strong… Well done to keep a doppler in the house. I can imagine that it can counter act to your panic attacks…
.-= catherine lucas´s last blog ..Paparazzi on tour… =-.
Domestic Extraordinaire says:
such a beautiful sound. I remembered after having some preterm labor issues with The Chicken-hearing that sounds was music to my ears.
Thank you for sharing Binky with us. xoxo
.-= Domestic Extraordinaire´s last blog ..Thursdays are Random Update Days, right? =-.
Mama Cas says:
Aww! How reassuring to hear that swish-swish sound! During my 4 pregnancies, I always remember being very nervous up until the point of being able to feel the baby moving. At that point, I didn’t have to wait until the monthly doctors appointment to find out if everything was okay….the baby could tell me every day. Each kick or punch meant, “I’m still okay in here! Please send down more ice cream!”
.-= Mama Cas´s last blog ..In a New York State of Mind =-.
Jenn says:
I felt the same way on bedrest, I told Mike the heartbeat sound just made me feel better.
.-= Jenn´s last blog ..All types of therapy =-.
Notesfromthegrove says:
That is the most amazing sound in the world.
.-= Notesfromthegrove´s last blog ..Eight Years Ago Today =-.
Tamara M. says:
That is one of my MOST FAVORITE sounds in the world. Binky you sound beautiful!!
Lindsay from Florida says:
Awww, it’s the “Binky Beat.” A dancer like her (or perhaps his) big sis already.
Frugal Babe says:
We had a homebirth with our son. Throughout my pregnancy, we opted for the fetoscope instead of the doppler, and could barely hear his heartbeat with it. But the midwives brought the doppler to the birth, and I was so glad they did. My labor was 45 hours long, and my resolve started to flag several times. Each time, the midwife would check on our little guy with the doppler and we’d hear that reassuring heartbeat, it would perk me back up again. Knowing that he was doing ok helped SO much. I’m so glad you’ve got a doppler and get to hear that little thumping sound whenever you need to.
.-= Frugal Babe´s last blog ..The Frugal Way To Avoid Flame Retardants In Pajamas =-.
Debby says:
Good for you, I’m glad you have it.
.-= Debby´s last blog ..WARNING: YOU ARE ABOUT TO WITNESS A MIRACLE =-.
Shauna says:
Aww, I love that sound! I have never been pregnant (We adopted two sons from Russia) but I went with my best friend to the doctor (she is also high risk after having a miscarriage, and goes once a week.) to hear her babies heartbeat and I lost it! I was crying so hard that her and the doctor were both laughing at me. She had already heard it many times but it was the first time I’d heard a babies heartbeat like that and it was SO sweet I couldn’t help it! Anyway I’m glad you have this reassurance for Binky. I agree with everyone else, I am really feeling like Binky is a girl!
Nanette says:
OMG, Binky’s beat just made me giddy. GIDDY, I say! And it brought back memories of all the time I spent with that pressed up against my belly.
Such a sweet sound.
.-= Nanette´s last blog ..1 short of a dozen =-.
krissylu says:
This was one of my favorite things while pregnant, but made me freak out so many times when I couldn’t hear her heartbeat right away! Even once I could feel her kick, if I couldn’t hear it in the first 30 seconds my heart would just drop!
Sara Joy says:
It’s a beautiful sound.
.-= Sara Joy´s last blog ..Your Story =-.
eden says:
The first sound is the sound of the heart that stole all of our hearts.
The second sound is the sound of Hope.
XOX
Elizabeth says:
What a great sound
Jessica says:
The most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.
.-= Jessica´s last blog ..9/11 Remember Francis J Sadocha =-.
Jenhiggins11 says:
I have a dopplar too–wow, was that that the best piece of mind EVER. I’m proud of you for only using it once or twice a week; I used mine several times a day!!
.-= Jenhiggins11´s last blog ..Faith it will get better… =-.
Amyinbc says:
How wonderful you have a doppler, must be very reassuring for you!
Nichole says:
I know a pergnancy after such a loss is so hard, my story is very different than yours. My son was full term and died at 2 days old. I got pregnant 8 months later, and it was a very hard pregnancy I was not high risk, he died of a very rare anysrum VGM not likely to happen again, I did non stress test twice a week for half of the last trimester, and was induced 5 days early. She is healthy, but going through a loss changes you forever, pregnancy will never be easy after that. hugs
Ali says:
Wow, music to my ears!
Heather says:
What a perfectly beautiful sound!
.-= Heather´s last blog ..Rain =-.
gorillabuns says:
so, what you are telling me. Xanax is NOT something I can take while pregnant. and no, sadly, i’m not pregnant.
.-= gorillabuns´s last blog ..i never liked clubs =-.
simplelifemommy says:
Soooo awesome that you have a Doppler at your disposal! I looked forward to that at every doctor’s visit. Something so comforting about hearing the “swoosha swoosha” every time. That’s my onomatopoeia for the day! xoxo I love you!
maya says:
I’m so glad that your doctors are being sensitive to your grief and the resultant anxiety you have over this pregnancy and are willing to work with you to give you some measure of comfort with something like the Doppler.
Your family is never far from my thoughts and I hope that Binky gives you a clear gender shot next time!
Marti from Michigan says:
My daughter somehow managed to be able to have all 4 of her kids born at home with a lay midwife…..no drugs at all! I’m so proud of her because with my one and only full term pregnancy, I tried natural childbirth to no avail.
One particularly cute visit to the midwife when she was 6 months pregnant with her 3rd baby, the midwife put the old fashioned Doptone thing (not a Doppler) on her belly and let Johnny (the oldest) listen to the baby’s heart beat. So cute! He said loud and clear, “wow, it sounds squishy squashy in there, like a washing machine.” Of course he was 6 years old when the third boy was born. So cute!
Dawn says:
I LOVE that sound!
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..birthday blues =-.
Jennifer says:
I’ve felt all along that Binky is a girl! And I too remember the comforting whoosh whoosh sounds of the heartbeat-I had premature labor at 25 weeks and thought for sure I’d lost my daughter….hearing the sounds was SO comforting!
BTW, it seems that every other day or so, when I come to your blog, I get a “Yep, still banned” message and the page won’t load! I have no idea why that happens, but it is very upsetting!
Michael.Terence says:
There was an issue with the ban plugin the Spohrs were using. They have removed the plugin and I’m helping them ban via the firewall on their VPS instead of relying on WP.
If this happens again please be sure to bring it to someones attention so we can take another look.
Thanks!
.-= Michael.Terence´s last blog ..$5.00 Off Coupon and a Free Month of Hosting! =-.
Alisha says:
Wow. I just stumbled upon your blog. I am so sorry for your loss, but I am so happy that you are being blessed with another child. He/she will know what a great big sis they would have had.
.-= Alisha´s last blog ..Lessons Learned Part Two =-.
Tina says:
Oh, that beautiful noise. Thank you for sharing it.
anita Tedaldi says:
Like other people said, it was really important that doctors be empathic and in tune with all that you’ve been through.
I remember when I read your post about the resident who was in charge when Maddie was in the hospital, it was horrifying and heartbreaking.
hopefully there will be many other wonderful physicians with this pregnancy.
Hang in there
Sending you hugs and prayers
Anita
.-= anita Tedaldi ´s last blog ..Eva’s world of wonders =-.
Michelle W says:
Oh the range of emotions that I experienced listening to those heartbeats and reading your words….difficult to describe. But let me just say Life is Beautiful and you are all so amazing.
emily b. says:
It’s going to be o.k., our collective prayers are with you and we believe it so strongly. Be brave.
Marin D says:
That was the only good thing about being in the hospital when I was pregnant. I loved hearing that sound of swishing, kicking, heartbeats, and hiccups. I can still hear them. Thinking of you…
Al_Pal says:
So sweet.