Hearing your unborn baby's heartbeat, as you would during a sonogram, is a joyous occasion that many mothers wish to do from the comfort of their own home. Unfortunately, purchasing a fetal heart doppler monitor can be expensive, and the thought of renting a fetal doppler monitor simply doesn't occur to many new parents. However, the process is quite simple and can be done with just a few steps.
Step 1
Decide which features your monitor should have. Some options will have the capacity only for audio, while others may have options to easily record the heartbeat. You also may want to decide whether a 2 megahertz or 3 megahertz model would best suit your individual needs. The 2 megahertz models are able to penetrate deeper and therefore may be the best choice for larger women. However, according to BabyBeat.com, a 3 megahertz model generally detects the fetal heartbeat earlier and easier for the majority of average-sized women.
Step 2
Create a list of places that rent fetal dopplers that are approved or regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). According to the FDA's website, fetal doppler monitors require a prescription for both rental and purchase. Although there are many places available online that will allow you to rent without a prescription, this is not approved by the FDA and is therefore not recommended. Hospitals may be approved to rent out fetal dopplers, but the online alternatives StorkRadio.com, BabyBeat.com and SweetBeats.net are good options to add to your list.
Step 3
Compare policies and prices from those companies on your list. Some things to consider may include the monthly rental fee, any other fees, shipping policies and customer reviews.
Step 4
Talk to your doctor and obtain a prescription. Be sure to discuss all the advantages and disadvantages of fetal heart monitors, as well as any possible risks, to make sure the decision to rent a fetal doppler monitor is right for you.
Step 5
Follow the instructions provided by the business in order to rent the unit. Typically this includes mailing or faxing the prescription to the company, selecting the model of the doppler you wish to rent and sharing your shipping and billing information.
Tips and Warnings
- Many companies will allow you to put the monthly rental fees towards the final purchase price of the unit, should you decide you would like to purchase the unit after all.
- Many women get swept away with new motherhood and forget to return the heart monitor after the baby is born. This can result in extra fees, so be sure to make plans before the baby is born to return the unit so this doesn't happen to you.
Things You'll Need
- Prescription
