During your pregnancy, your obstetrician monitors your baby's growth, development and heart rate through ultrasounds. During these exams, a fetal doppler or probe is used. It's a hand-held device that emits high-energy sound waves to help detect the heartbeat of your baby. You can buy a fetal doppler for use in your own home when you feel the urge to hear your little one's heart yourself. Although it's fairly easy to use, these tips make the process easier.
Step 1
Before using your new doppler, check your equipment to ensure it's in working order and approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Turn on everything and watch the machine for the display lights to appear. At this point, read the instructions; each fetal doppler varies a bit in how it works. Some even come with a recording of an actual fetal heartbeat. Listening to this helps you detect your baby's heartbeat.
Step 2
Get into position. According to Fetaldopplerfacts.org, you increase your chances of hearing your baby's heartbeat if you're lying down with your abdomen completely exposed. If this isn't comfortable, standing or sitting may achieve the same results.
Step 3
Apply gel. Pregnancyinfo.net suggests applying a generous amount of the ultrasound gel to the probe and your abdomen; doing this makes it easier for the probe to slide across your stomach while reducing static that can interfere with your ability to hear your baby's heartbeat.
Step 4
Angle the probe. Begin by placing the probe just below your belly button, yet above your pubic line. Fetaldopplerfacts.org suggests keeping it in line with your pubic bone, angling it downward as you begin to slowly move the doppler around your abdomen, searching for the heartbeat.
Step 5
Keep contact between your skin and the probe at all times. If static becomes a problem, apply more gel to the probe. As suggested by the FDA, don't use your doppler for longer than 10 minutes at a time. If you are not successful, take a break and try again another day.
Things You'll Need
- Ultrasound gel
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