The simple addition of a fetal heart doppler to a household can enrich the life of any expectant mother. In fact, the whole family can enjoy and appreciate the uses of a good fetal heartbeat doppler. But maybe you don’t have one, or don’t know what they do. Fear not! Just keep reading this article, and by the time you’re done you’ll have an excellent idea of how doppler machines work. Armed with that knowledge, you can decide for yourself is you want to purchase or rent a doppler for this time in your life.

Fetal heart dopplers are not dissimilar to fetal stethoscopes. However, rather than being acoustic, they’re based on ultrasound. While a stethoscope could only let the person using it hear through it, anyone within a few feet can hear a fetal heart monitor or doppler. The only real disadvantage with the ultrasound method, which is both safe and accurate enough for hospital use, is the fact that it requires ultrasound gel. However, the gel is very affordable and the inconvenience involved in using it is minor.

The process of using a doppler is quite simple. First, gel is smeared along a small portion of the mother-to-be’s stomach. No more than a quarter-sized amount of gel is necessary. Then, the doppler’s probe is traced slowly along the area in a roughly circular motion. The device then finds the infant’s heartbeat with ultrasound, and creates an equivalent sound for those nearby to hear. Family, friends, and baby shower party guests can all listen to the miracle of life growing inside the womb, and in turn feel a closer connection to the baby.

If you have difficulties in getting your baby heart doppler to work, you may be moving the probe too quickly. Another common mistake many users make is to listen too soon! A doppler can’t generally detect a heartbeat before ten weeks, simply because it’s not as powerful as a full-blown hospital ultrasound machine. In fact, it may be as many as fourteen weeks before you heart a heartbeat. That doesn’t necessarily mean anything is wrong. Furthermore, the exact placement of the probe for maximum accuracy will depend on how far along the pregnancy is. Over twenty weeks, and you can place the probe near to your belly button. But if you’re still in the first trimester, the probe should be scanning lower down, nearer to the pubic bone. For absolute best results (and a little minor discomfort on your part), you can scan only when you have a full bladder. This results in the uterus being brought slightly up out of your pelvis, shifting it closer to the probe of the baby heart doppler.

Fetal heart monitors are excellent tools to enrich any expectant mother’s life. However, they are just tools, and as such, have to be understood and used properly to be worthwhile. If you purchase one knowing what they can and can’t do, and use them appropriately, you should be satisfied with your investment.