The doppler

So, the doppler arrived the other day. I bought it on ebay and got it priced about 25-30% lower than listed online, but still, it sucked 100 bucks out of my pocket.
I was actually surprised that I didn't hear much complaining when I decided to tell Mr. W that I had purchased this item and what it cost. I expected him to tell me I had lost my mind. I know I can resell the thing when I am done with it, and even at 100 dollars(the money I have surely already saved in cocktails since getting knocked up), I felt it was worth the entertainment value. I find a lot of things to be worth the entertainment value these days since my faves are all no-nos. Really, I can't even hop on a roller coaster this year.
Now, there are people who get these because they are high risk and have had problems in the past. They are nervous Nellys and they have a need to know that all is well. I am not on that team. I am not worried at all(well, certainly not the same type of worry) but I think these things are really cool. Hell, we have a thermometer and a stethescope and a BP cuff in our house, why not have a doppler, too?
I also realize that some people probably flip out when they can't find the fetus. C'mon people, the doctor couldn't even find my baby the last time he tried using his. Sometimes this happens.
On the other hand, once you have a tool like this, everyone wants to listen to their belly. The husband, even the dog. Talk about having a hard time finding the baby's heartbeat. We searched and searched on Mr. W but it just wasn't there.
There is some debate on the overuse of these devices, but there is no proof that they harm the baby. There is also no proof that baby enjoys this. After all, they liken the noise in the womb to a helicoptor flying over your house. I think, there are a lot of things in life that this baby is not going to like, so they better start getting used to it.
The last time we listened in, we heard a strong 160ish beat for about 15 seconds and then the little parasite swam off to a quieter area of the belly. Learning to fend for itself already.
Dopplers are a great thing.
Don't overuse them(or your baby will come out swinging and have six heads-just kidding) and don't flip out if you can't find baby(if it hasn't come out, it's still in there).
When I say overuse, look up some of the research online and decide for yourself or ask the Dr. We'll probably only really use this over the course of a few weeks until Baby W starts kicking mommy. Until then, it is like a fun little game. Find the baby and make it swim away.