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A baby doppler uses ultrasound waves to detect a developing baby’s heartbeat. These are typically hand-held devices that use ultrasound technology to create an audio reproduction of the baby’s heartbeat.
Ultrasound technology has been routinely used in foetal monitoring since 1942, and is a very common technique used to let mothers-to-be begin to get to know their baby.
2) Why Would I Need To Use A Home Foetal Doppler?
A home foetal doppler allows the mother to monitor her baby’s heartbeat anytime and anywhere she wishes to, be it in the middle of the night while in bed, or in the office during a working day.
Before the pregnancy is developed enough for the mother to feel the baby kicking, a doppler is an effective device that helps provide instant reassurance of the baby’s health.
Home-use heart rate monitors also help women overcome the inconvenience of having to go into the doctor’s office every time she wishes to check on the baby’s heartbeat, for optimal peace of mind.
3) How Early In The Pregnancy Can I Begin To Hear A Foetal Heartbeat?
Foetal heartbeats can typically be detected between the seventh to twelfth week of pregnancy. This however, can depend on individual factors such as the mother’s body shape, the location of the placenta etc.
Many mothers-to-be begin renting a baby doppler at this time, and keep it handy until delivery.
4) Why Can’t I Locate The Baby’ Heartbeat?
It is entirely possible that a woman will find the heartbeat easily once and not find it the next time she tries. This can be due to a change in the baby’s position, or the mother simply not knowing where to look.
We recommend that you take the baby doppler with you to your next prenatal appointment so your doctor may provide his/her own tips on where to best use the doppler, so as to catch your baby’s heartbeat.
5) How Do I Distinguish My Heartbeat From The Baby’s Heartbeat?
Your baby’s heartbeat will be much quicker than your own heartbeat. Babies’ hearts usually beat at a rate of between 120 and 160 beats per minute.
If you hear a “swishing” sound, this is the sound of your blood flow, and is no cause for concern.
If you hear what sounds like two different heartbeats, you may simply be listening to the same heartbeat a few inches apart. Your doctor will be able to tell from the difference in the heartbeats whether there is more than one foetus in your belly.
6) Do I Need To Use Any Lotions Or Gels Together With My Doppler?
Air does not conduct high frequency sound waves as readily as liquids, which is why a liquid such as water, oil, or ultrasound lotion is typically applied to the foetal doppler as well as the mother’s belly during use. This helps the doppler detect the baby’s heart beat better.
Physicians use doppler devices as a standard part of the prenatal care routine. There is no reason to fear for your baby’s safety due to usage of an ultrasound device; research has shown that no problems have ever been caused.
8 ) Is My Unit Sanitary And Safe To Use?
The Baby Specialist cleans and sanitizes all equipment before rental.
Hard surfaces are disinfected using a suitable disinfectant such as Dettol Antiseptic, rinsed, dried and shrink-wrapped for hygiene.
9) Does The Probe Cause Any Discomfort?
10) What’s The Difference Between The 2mhz And 3mhz Interchangeable Probes?
Higher frequency probes such as the 3mhz probes are able to pick up heart beats earlier in pregnancy, as they detect smaller foetal hearts better.