Determine The Gender Of Your Baby

Fetal baby Doppler - how to listen to your unborn baby successfully

How does the Doppler work ?
The Doppler listens to the reflections of small, high frequency sound waves that are reflected from within the womb. These sound waves are picked up by the probe and amplified through the hand held speaker so that you can hear them clearly. There are a variety of sounds that can be heard, including the fetal heart beat/tone, each of which is distinctive and so are easily identified. You can hear kicks and hiccups when your baby grows larger. Sounds can generally be heard from 10-12 weeks of your pregnancy.

Is the Doppler safe ?

All the Fetal Doppler’s available through reputable internet stores are the same, or use the same technology as the Doppler’s used by your midwife or doctor during your examinations throughout your pregnancy. Ultrasonic technology has been in use for many years without any side affects reported to the baby or the mother, do not confuse these with the large hospital ones.

Fetal Doppler's have an incredible safety record. They have been used daily for the last thirty years around the world. It is estimated around five million are in use every single day. No adverse effects to either mother or baby have ever been reported.

Please do not confuse Doppler’s with ultrasound scanners used in a hospital to show images of your baby. The home fetal doppler uses an extremely low power output. This is why they are run on a household battery alone.

What if I can’t find the heartbeat ?

Finding the heartbeat can be daunting at first as your baby may be lower than you expect. It is important to use large amounts of gel and try the probe very low down just above the pubic bone. If you do not hear sounds when you begin keep moving the probe very slowly until you find a heartbeat, maybe test it on yours first. The fetal heart beat sounds like a galloping horse and is very fast at 120-160 beats per minute. If you are still having problems refer to the enclosed instruction manual.

How can I tell it's not my heartbeat I can hear?

The sound of the fetal heartbeat is distinctive, but can often be confused with other sounds at first. You may well have heard it already during your antenatal appointments with your midwife or doctor. It is a regular fast beating sound, not to be confused with the swishing sound of the placenta.

- A roaring sound, like waves on a beach, is the sound of your placenta.

- A ‘whooshing’ noise is the sound of the blood supply to the placenta.

- Your own pulse! Don't forget that your baby's heartbeat is about twice as fast as this.

- A pulse that is more high-pitched than your baby’s heartbeat, but at the same speed. This is the pulse through the umbilical cord; a very pregnant and reassuring noise !

How many heartbeats per minute will I hear ?

The fetal heartbeat is much faster than your own and is usually between 120 and 160 beats per minute. Please remember the heartbeat will not remain constant, it will vary and depends on how active baby is. You musnt use the doppler to self-diagnose it is important to always seek medical help when you are concerned.

Will you need special creams or gels ?

Doppler probes need a gel to pick up the sound waves easily. The coupling gel that is provided with your Doppler is to be used to ensure the high quality and clarity of the sounds you can hear.

Doppler Tips

- A very easy way to find the heartbeat is to take your Doppler with you to your next prenatal appointment. Your OB or midwife can help you locate your baby's heartbeat and provide you with helpful doppler tips.

- A full bladder may help, especially in early pregnancy.

- Early in pregnancy, start your fetal doppler in line with the belly button right above the pubic hair. As pregnancy progresses, your fetal doppler will find the heartbeat higher up the abdomen.
- Move the doppler probe VERY slowly - it is quite easy to go over the heartbeat. If you move the doppler very fast you will add interference noise and reduce the likely hood of fnding a stable heartbeat.

- Tilt the doppler probe downward toward the pubic bone.

Always use lots of gel. If you run out of ultrasound gel you can get it online, amazon sell it.

- The baby is normally positioned far deeper in the pelvis than you would imagine.

It is important to not panic if you cant find the heartbeat straight away, during somedays it will be quick and other days baby may be somewhere difficult to find.

CASE STUDIES/TESTIMONIALS

"The Fetal doppler is a nice way of feel secure of that your baby is ok. My baby’s father thinks this is quite fantastic. You can really hear the baby tumbling around in the belly…noises from kicking, and the strong heart beats, Regards, K”

“received my fetal doppler today and wow its really good I am 14 weeks and have never heard the baby’s heartbeat before, although I have 2 other children I wish I could of had one in my previous pregnancy’s its so clear and easy to use. thanks x”

“Very, very excited. It is possible to hear the heartbeat at 10 weeks but it might not be clear. This product can create a more calm pregnancy. Looking forward to the rest of my pregnancy with my new companion that will be reassuring me.  I believe this product is a must have in pregnancy. Regards R”

For More Information or to buy your own safe fetal doppler please Visit Fetal Dopplers

Tags: Pregnancy //