Fetal Dopplers
Fetal ultrasound in pregnancy has been used as a diagnostic tool for more than 25 years. More recently, fetal Dopplers have been developed to allow you to listen to your unborn baby's heartbeat in the comfort of your own home.
Fetal dopplers can offer you peace of mind throughout your pregnancy. They can also be a fun way to form a deeper bond with your baby. Plus, you can share the excitement of your pregnancy with family and friends. We stock a range of fetal Dopplers from economical through to the exceptional. They are completely safe to use and all our fetal Dopplers are CE approved.
Do remember, that a fetal ultrasound doppler is not a toy and is not intended to replace recommended ante-natal care.
Fetal Dopplers Article
by Dr. John McGarry, MB, ChB, DRCOG, MRCOG, FRCOG (1986), MFFP (1993)
I first used small sized fetal Doppler listening devices in about 1970 and have continued to use them throughout a long professional career as an obstetric consultant in both academic and non-academic units. During the last nearly 4 decades I have tried to keep up with all the contemporary medical literature concerning the use of such devices. Throughout all this time my main concern had been concentrated on whether the careful use of such devices has been totally safe for both the mother and the unborn baby (or babies!)
The most significant and authoritative document that has appeared over the years on the safety of these devices and similar and more complex ultrasound machines is "The Safety of Diagnostic Ultrasound" by Professor P N T Wells, a report of a British Institute of Radiology Working Group published in 1987. Also involved with this publication were representatives from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
To summarise, and including data from subsequent reports over the years, the conclusions were, and have remained so, that provided the investigation is used over fairly brief periods of time and not with excessively frequent use, quoting from the above report (page 27) "It is concluded that ultrasound probably has no proven hazard to the patient but that to date there is insufficient research to make a definitive statement".
Since that report there have been no reports that simple hand held Doppler devices if used with care can cause any harm to the fetus.
So what should you do or not do with your machine?
1. Tell your obstetric attendants that you are using it.
2. Try to listen to the baby about once a week, and certainly ideally no more than every 2-3 days.
3. Try to listen for no longer than 3-4 minutes, and if you are having early (Braxton-Hicks) contractions, use the machine before, during and after a contraction.
4. The average (mean) fetal heart rate is 140 beats per minute, with a range of about 120-160; the rate often falling in the middle of a contraction.
5. If in the unlikely event of picking up a fetal heart which is outside the above range tell your medical attendants as soon as possible, but try not to panic. The chances are that there will turn out to be nothing wrong in over 99% of cases when an expert "rescans" your baby.
6. It can be useful, if, each time you use the machine, you write down the time of day, the date and the observed heart rate. Take this recording with you to your next clinic appointment.
7. Remember that the most common error with these devices is to mistakenly listen to your own heart rate (around 72 beats per minute) because you are aiming at the maternal blood vessels and missing the baby's.
About the Author
Dr. John McGarry qualified in medicine 1961 and began his first obstetric post in 1963.
He was appointed Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist 1972 and during long career in Obstetrics have been responsible for the care & delivery of some 11,000 women.
During this time, Dr McGarry has held many notable roles including having been an examiner in Obstetrics & Gynaecology for the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gyneacologists for doctors taking higher degrees; he has twice been elected to the Council of the College of Obstetricians & Gyneacologists; and he was elected once for 5 yrs to the General Medical Council.
John is still employed and writes articles for a major medical journal on a very regular basis.
fetal monitoring
Tips for using a Baby Heart Monitor Fetal Doppler
A full bladder makes the heartbeat easier to locate with the baby heart monitor, especially in the earlier stages of pregnancy when the prenatal ultrasound is weaker.
Sit or better still, lye down comfortably
The baby is normally positioned lower than you think
Use a generous amount of prenatal ultrasound gel. You may need to reapply more as it will dry up quite quickly
Start by placing the fetal monitoring probe just above your bikini line and tilt it downwards, towards your pubic bone
baby_heart_monitor
Move VERY SLOWLY, to locate the heartbeat. By moving too quickly, you may miss it
Don't slide the probe around too much, but rather lift it off and re apply it in a new position. This will prevent the build up of background static
If you cannot locate the baby's heartbeat, have a drink or snack and take a walk around to encourage the baby to change position
The baby's heartbeat should be easy to recognise as it is much faster than your own and sounds like a galloping horse. The baby's will be about 110 - 160 bpm which is about twice as fast as yours
You may also hear a whooshing sound which is the placenta.
prenatal_ultrasound
Don't panic if you don't find the baby's heartbeat straight away. There are many reasons as to why this might be but it is most likely that you just need a little practice fetal monitoring. Remember that the foetus is still quite small in the early stages of pregnancy so finding the heartbeat will not always be immediate or easy.
Using a baby heart monitor fetal doppler at home is meant to be a fun way for you to bond with your baby and for your loved ones to share in this exciting time. It is not intended to replace recommended anti-natal care.
If you have any worries or concerns about your pregnancy at any time, talk to your doctor or mid-wife.
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