Nothing is more reassuring to an expectant mother than to hear the steady thumping of her baby's heartbeat. Most obstetricians will use a fetal doppler to monitor and time the heartbeat at prenatal appointments. However, many moms-to-be want some reassurance that their baby is thriving between appointments. Thankfully, parents now have many options in renting or purchasing their own fetal dopplers to use at home.
Step 1
Purchase or rent a fetal doppler. Buying a doppler can be fairly expensive, but many different options are available. Make sure your choice of doppler is approved by the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA.
Step 2
Lay down in a quiet space and expose your abdomen.
Step 3
Apply a liberal amount of ultrasound gel to the tip of the doppler and place it over your uterus.
Step 4
Move the doppler around slowly until you hear a heartbeat. If you are still early in your pregnancy, it may take some time to hear the heartbeat.
Step 5
Count how many beats your hear per minute, or if you have a digital doppler simply look at the display. It is possible to confuse your heartbeat with the baby's -- you will know you are hearing your baby's heartbeat if the rate is between 120 to 160 beats per minute.
Tips and Warnings
- If you are later in your pregnancy, try to feel your baby's back and place the doppler there, as this is the best location to detect a heartbeat. Don't panic if you can't hear your baby's heartbeat every time you use your doppler. Babies move quite a bit in the uterus, particularly early on in pregnancy when they have lots of room. Chances are your baby is simply at an angle that makes it difficult for the doppler to detect her heartbeat.
- If you are ever concerned about your health or the health of your baby during pregnancy, contact your medical provider.
Things You'll Need
- Fetal doppler
- Ultrasound gel
