Do you have a home fetal doppler? If not, you might want to think about getting one.
During pregnancy, fetal dopplers can be one of the best purchases you make. They provide reassurance, bonding opportunities, and can help you create keepsakes for a lifetime.
Once only used in doctor’s offices, the device has become affordable and available for all parents.
Read on to learn why you should be using a fetal doppler Sonoline B during pregnancy.
What is a Fetal Heart Rate Monitor?
A fetal heart rate monitor, or fetal doppler, is a handheld device that you can use to detect your baby’s heartbeat. Similar to an ultrasound, you apply gel to your belly and glide a probe until you detect a heartbeat. The sound will be amplified through the device’s speakers and you’ll see the fetal heart rate (FHR) displayed on the screen.
You might have seen a fetal doppler before. During prenatal checkups, your doctor uses a fetal doppler to make sure your baby’s heart is developing as expected. If necessary, a professional can use it to diagnose heart problems.
Fetal dopplers for home use cannot diagnose problems. However, they’re used by parents to create bonding opportunities and provide reassurance. If a parent suspects an abnormality based on something they hear, they’re able to report it to their doctor or midwife for further investigation.
To learn more about fetal heartbeat monitors, read:
- How Does a Fetal Doppler Work?
- 14 Fun Things to Do with a Fetal Heartbeat Monitor
- 6 Tips to Spot Fake Fetal Dopplers: Buyer Beware
- 4 Reasons Why Fetal Heartbeat Monitors Are Amazing: As Explained By Our Customers
- Can Fetal Dopplers Detect Problems or Complications? The Honest Answer
Reasons You Should Be Using a Fetal Doppler Sonoline B
If you’re pregnant and you don’t have a home fetal doppler Sonoline B, there’s many reasons you should consider getting one.
#1 Baby Tracking Between Appointments
Fetal dopplers are increasingly being used between doctor’s appointments to help you keep track of your baby’s health.
A fetal doppler can only be used by a healthcare professional to diagnose problems. However, if you think you spot an abnormality, you can ask your doctor for advice.
It’s normal that you might have a hard time picking up a heartbeat if your baby is small or has turned positions. When you’re regularly detecting the heartbeat though, you may notice if the rhythm seems abnormal or if the fetal heart rate displayed has dropped. If that happens and you’re worried, you have a few choices:
- Call your doctor or midwife for advice
- Record the heartbeat and play to your doctor over the phone or during an appointment
- Go in-person and have the doctor use their fetal doppler to confirm or deny the suspicion
Your healthcare practitioner will let you know if it’s a false alarm or if they need to investigate further.
If you have a high-risk pregnancy or have had prior miscarriages, using a fetal doppler correctly may alert you to problems that would be unknown otherwise, improving pregnancy outcomes.
#2 Decreased Worry & Anxiety
Many mothers purchase a fetal doppler because it reduces their anxiety when they hear their baby’s heartbeat.
As long as you’re detecting the correct sound, you can take a deep breath knowing your baby is doing fine inside your belly.
Whether you deal with anxiety or are just worried as a first-time mother, a fetal doppler can provide reassurance between prenatal appointments.
If you’ve gone through prior miscarriages, you may be especially anxious during your next pregnancy. Thoughts about your baby’s health may be constantly swirling in your mind. Using a fetal doppler properly can help bring you back to the present moment: Your baby’s heart is still beating and everything is okay.
Remember that if you don’t pick up a heartbeat, it doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong. There’s several reasons why you might not hear a heartbeat, many unrelated to health. For example, you could have switched positions and you’ll be able to hear the heartbeat tomorrow instead. If you’re worried, call your doctor. However, there’s often no reason to panic and you’ll be able to detect the heartbeat later. If using the device increases your worry, consider putting it away until you can reliably detect your baby.
#3 Mother-Baby Bonding
A fetal doppler Sonoline B can also help you connect with your baby before she’s even born!
While there’s many ways to bond with a baby in your belly, a doppler is a magical option because it carries the sound of life. Feeling baby kicks are another great way to bond, but movement doesn’t typically start until week 18 to 22. Mothers are able to detect a heartbeat sooner—typically 12 weeks. This allows the fetal doppler to facilitate an early baby-mother connection.
#4 Father Bonding
Although mothers can use a fetal doppler to connect with their baby, it’s also a special tool for the other parent.
Since the baby is growing inside the mother, she is experiencing changes and symptoms—pregnancy often feels very real. Fathers don’t experience physical changes, so the baby may not feel “real” until she’s born. This can make it more difficult for the other parent to bond with the baby before birth. Hearing the heartbeat through a fetal doppler gives the father a way to experience the pregnancy. This can help a parent feel more mentally prepared once the baby has arrived.
#5 Introduce Child to New Baby
A fetal doppler is also a gentle and fun way to introduce the new baby to your child.
When children are young, they might not fully understand the concept of getting a sibling. Like the father, since they don’t experience the pregnancy, it might not seem “real” yet.
Use the fetal doppler to show your child how their sibling is growing. It also opens the door for continuous dialogue about the baby. You can revisit the subject every time you use the device, making them more prepared for when their sibling is born.
#6 Share Pregnancy with Extended Family
Family members or friends who don’t see you frequently may want updates on how your pregnancy is progressing. With a fetal doppler, you can bring them into the experience with you. It’s like your baby is saying “hello” before she’s born!
Here’s how:
- Record the heartbeat using the BabyDoppler app
- Click “Share Progress with Family” at the top.
- Save to your files or use the icons for other sharing and copying options
#7 Record a Keepsake
Out of all the pregnancy keepsakes, wouldn’t it be amazing to save your baby’s heartbeat?
Once your fetal doppler detects the correct sound, use the BabyDoppler app to record it. Once it’s saved, transfer the audio file to your computer or storage system to save forever.
To make the ultimate keepsake, we recommend making a baby heartbeat video. Use your favorite editing software or app to make a short video. Here’s a few ideas:
- Your baby’s heartbeat as the “soundtrack” of the video
- Photos of your pregnancy
- Scanned sonogram photo
- Titles and text with your due date
#8 Use for Future Pregnancies
The great thing about BabyDoppler’s fetal heart rate monitors is that they’re designed to last. For one affordable investment, you’ll be able to hear heartbeats during future pregnancies. Even if you don’t have more kids, you can pass the device onto a pregnant family member or friend, giving them the gift of hearing heartbeats too.
#9 Easy To Use
Finally, the last reason you should be using a fetal doppler during your pregnancy is that it’s easy!
Since it’s a health device, it can feel intimidating to use at first. But with some education and practice, you’ll be able to easily detect the correct sound.
The most important part of using a fetal doppler is discerning the correct noise. For example, you need to be able to tell the difference between the sound of your placenta and the sound of a fetal heartbeat. To ensure you’re detecting the right noise, we’ve developed a variety of resources:
- Fetal Doppler Instructions
- Guide: 10 Must-Know Secret Tips for Finding Fetal Heartbeat with Doppler
- Guide: How to Use a Fetal Doppler – The Proper Way
- Guide: Can’t Find Heartbeat with Fetal Doppler? 8 Things to Do
- Videos of Heartbeat Sounds(to help you determine if it sounds similar to the sound you’ve detected)
- If you have questions, email support@babydoppler.com
Remember that even if you’re using a fetal doppler 100% correctly, you might not always pick up the correct, noise and that’s normal. Sometimes your baby switches positions or needs to grow more before she’s reliably detected. For more information, read Can’t Find Heartbeat with Fetal Doppler? 8 Things to Do
Get a Fetal Heart Rate Monitor
Are you ready to hear your baby’s heartbeat from home? For many mothers, the fetal doppler can be used starting at 12 weeks. Order yours today for quick next business day delivery! Every package comes with a free sample of ultrasound gel and batteries, allowing you to get started as soon as you open it!