10 Questions About Using an At-Home Fetal Doppler (SAMPLE)
You’re pregnant and facing one of the most exciting and potentially nerve-wracking
experiences of your life. Congratulations!
Consider yourself lucky to be pregnant in a time where so much technology is available
to support you and your baby. One miniature medical marvel you have access to is a
fetal doppler.
1. What is a fetal doppler?
A fetal doppler (also known as a doptone) is a tool that uses ultrasound to measure your
baby’s heartbeat. It is small, relatively affordable, and easy to use at home.
Fetal dopplers use the same sound waves as your doctor’s ultrasound machine, but
they are much less powerful. Fetal dopplers translate data into sounds while the
ultrasound machine creates images.
2. When should you start using a fetal doppler?
Don’t make the mistake of trying to hear your baby’s heartbeat too early. During the first
trimester the fetal heart rate (fHR) is difficult to find.
At 12 weeks gestation the fetus is only a few inches in size, and the soundwaves from
the doppler need to be pointed directly at the heart. It can be like finding a needle in a
haystack at this stage.
If you try too early and can’t hear anything, you might make yourself anxious when there
is no need to be. Protect your peace of mind and wait until at least the 12th week to give
it a shot.
About 50% of people won’t be able to find the fHR until even later. You’re excited to
hear your baby and want the reassurance of capturing the heartbeat, but patience will
pay off in the end.