A fetal doppler is used to locate and hear the heartbeat of an unborn baby. Ultrasound technology is used to detect the baby’s heart beat. An oil or gel is applied to a woman’s belly in order to facilitate the easy movement of the doppler. The doppler will then detect the sounds within the womb through ultrasound. Depending on the type of doppler used the heartbeat can be registered through an auditory method such as a beep or through a print out. When selecting a doppler it is important that you are able to understand the readings obtained from the doppler so it is necessary to either purchase a doppler that is easy to understand or consult with your physician to in order to understand the readings correctly.
A fetal heart beat doppler can produce information that will give you current information on the condition of a fetus. There are some machines that can provide a print out that will not only show the heart beat pattern but also the amount of beats per minute. This information can be used by either the mother or a physician to determine if the unborn baby has any medical conditions. It is important the print outs are read accurately as the results can assist in addressing problems with a fetus. These types of machines are not hand held. There are sensors that are placed on the pregnant woman’s stomach to locate the heartbeat. Those sensors are attached to a stand alone machines that provides a printout of the baby’s heartbeat. Sometimes these types of monitors are used to determine if the fetus is under any significant stress. They are sometimes considered more accurate and in depth than other monitors but not always so easy to read and understand if you lack medical expertise.
A simple fetal heart monitor is suggested for those who wish to monitor a baby’s heart beat on a regular basis from home in between pre-natal visits. Most of the monitors on the market are hand held and easy to operate. Some even come with a headphone attachment that will allow the mother to listen to the heartbeat closer. The readings from a baby heart doppler are relative. Most of the more expensive monitors provide a better reading.
In addition to purchasing quality fetal heart monitors the method used to obtain the baby’s heart beat is also important for obtaining a positive reading. The doppler must be placed on the abdomen from the underneath the breasts to a few inches below the belly button. To facilitate the easy movement of the doppler, a water based gel should be used on the abdomen. All dopplers have an area that resembles a microphone. This is the portion that should be faced down on the belly in order for the ultrasound to pick up the heartbeat. The doppler should be moved in circles around the belly until the heartbeat is located. Depending on the type of doppler you have, you may hear a beeping sound which will let you know that a heartbeat is detected. For those dopplers that have a LCD screen the number of beats per minute will be recorded on the screen.
Ultimately, when choosing a fetal doppler for personal use it is always best to purchase one that is both easy to use and will provide results that are easy to understand.
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