Hearing a baby's heartbeat during pregnancy can be very exciting and comforting for expecting parents. The heartbeat may be heard as early as nine weeks after the last menstrual period using a piece of equipment known as a doppler. A doppler may be used to measure the heartbeat during prenatal appointments, and can also be purchased or rented online for home use. While the doppler is the most frequent tool used to measure the heartbeat, a fetoscope also may be used, especially by midwives.
Step 1
Apply a small amount of ultrasound gel to the lower abdomen. The exact location depends on the baby's position, as well as the stage of pregnancy. When detecting a heartbeat in the first trimester--around 10 weeks gestation--ultrasound gel will need to be placed very low on the abdomen, close to the pubic bone. As the pregnancy progresses and the uterus grows, the heartbeat will be detected higher on the abdomen. It may be necessary to use gel on several different areas when locating the baby's position.
Step 2
Place the doppler wand on the abdomen, in the ultrasound gel, and slowly move it around until the baby's heartbeat is heard. A doppler allows doctors and parents to hear the baby's heartbeat by emitting sound waves through a small probe placed on the outside of the mother's abdomen. Sound waves from the baby are then received back at the handheld unit, providing the sound of the heartbeat. It is possible to detect the mother's heartbeat while using the doppler. The mother's heart rate will usually be below 100 beats per minute, whereas the baby's will be 120 to 160 beats per minute. In an earlier gestation, it will be more difficult to find the heartbeat. Have patience and move the ultrasound wand very slowly, tilting it at different angles as you move it. It could take as long as 10 minutes to find the heartbeat in an early pregnancy.
Step 3
Listen to the heartbeat starting around the 20th week of pregnancy using a fetoscope. A fetoscope is very similar to a stethoscope where the bell is placed on the abdomen, near the baby's back. At this stage in the pregnancy, the back can be felt as a firm bulge, usually on one side of the belly. The heartbeat is heard through ear pieces placed in the ears, just like a stethoscope. You may have to move the bell around until the baby's heartbeat is found, instead of the mother's.
Things You'll Need
- Doppler or fetoscope
