When do baby dopplers work

This guide will cover when, why and how you should use a fetal doppler. The device usually runs on batteries and comes with a probe to glide over the pregnant belly. To put it simply, the fetal doppler probe sends ultrasound waves into the lower belly.

Since then, they have been used mainly by doctors and midwives. Since the waves emitted by a fetal doppler are about many times higher than those emitted from an ultrasound machine, the device can safely be used at home. More and more pregnant women are beginning to use a fetal doppler at home for various reasons. Apart from just being so much fun to use. Firstly, many mothers-to-be stress over the health of their fetus.

Is he or she okay? How can I be sure nothing is wrong? Chronic stress may affect the health of you or your baby, so keeping your anxiety levels to a minimum is ideal. Using a fetal doppler can help calm your nerves and reassure you that your baby is okay.

If you have a high-risk pregnancy, it is possible that a fetal doppler could detect a problem and alert you to go to the doctors, possibly saving your baby.

Yet, the authors of an article in The BMJ caution that these devices can provide false reassurance. Emotional health is very important. Anyone who feels anxious about a pregnancy should speak with a healthcare professional about managing their anxiety. A doctor or midwife may also offer safer alternatives to at-home Dopplers, such as more regular in-office ultrasounds.

The safest option is to not use at-home Dopplers devices, at least until more research has investigated their safety. It is crucial to note that detecting a heartbeat can be difficult, even in a healthy developing baby. Not hearing the heartbeat on a Doppler does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong. If a person does not hear a pulse, the best thing to do is to schedule a visit with the midwife or doctor.

If a person wants to try their Doppler again, wait for a few days. Keep in mind that even with medical-grade equipment, obstetric providers do not expect to hear the heartbeat until 12—14 weeks of pregnancy. Research has not proven any particular kit to be superior to the others. All at-home fetal Dopplers present the same risks and potential benefits. For help making a decision, people can try:. Using an at-home Doppler is not a medical approach, and the device cannot reliably detect any health issues.

Therefore, the best option is to refrain from using one and to ask a doctor or midwife about appropriate prenatal care. Pregnancy is a time of great vulnerability, as no one really knows how it will turn out.

It is completely natural to feel anxious or worried about the health and well-being of a baby. Often the best, and safest, way to cope with these concerns is to have a healthy support system. Speak with supportive friends and family members, as well as a counselor or healthcare provider. This will provide far greater and more lasting benefits than using a potentially unsafe ultrasound device.

Any woman with risk factors for pregnancy loss, or anyone who is experiencing significant anxiety should consider these strategies:. There is no evidence that at-home fetal Dopplers are harmful. A baby's heartbeat can be detected by transvaginal ultrasound as early as 3 to 4 weeks after conception, or 5 to 6 weeks after the first day of the last menstrual period. This early embryonic heartbeat is fast, often about beats per minutes, twice as fast as us adults'!

Later the heartbeat slows slightly but remains about throughout fetal life. You may be able to hear - and see - the fluttering of cells for the first time when you're about 6 weeks pregnant if you have an early ultrasound exam. Otherwise, you'll probably first hear your baby's heartbeat with a fetal Doppler at a regular prenatal care visit. How early the sound can be picked up depends on your baby's position in your uterus, your weight, and the accuracy of your due date. Your caregiver may be able to find it with the Doppler as early as 12 weeks.

She'll cover the device with ultrasound gel and move it around on your belly until she finds a spot where the heartbeat can be detected. The Doppler sends and receives sound waves that bounce off your baby's heart. In this way the fetal Doppler makes your baby's heartbeats loud enough for you to hear.

Yes, you can rent or buy a Doppler for home use. However, some experts think a home Doppler isn't a good idea. Many women say that the beating of their baby's tiny heart sounds like the thunder of galloping horses. Hearing it for the first time can be very moving.

Talk with other parents about hearing your baby's heartbeat. BabyCenter's editorial team is committed to providing the most helpful and trustworthy pregnancy and parenting information in the world. When creating and updating content, we rely on credible sources: respected health organizations, professional groups of doctors and other experts, and published studies in peer-reviewed journals. We believe you should always know the source of the information you're seeing. Learn more about our editorial and medical review policies.