Many who use fetal Dopplers use them for far too long, not knowing long-term tissue heating could potentially be dangerous. In fact, the FDA recommends getting ultrasounds only when medically necessary and as supervised by a health care professional. Food & Drug Administration, the effects of excessive tissue heating and cavitation caused by ultrasounds are unknown. Risk of Wave OverexposureĪccording to the U.S. Unless a person is trained to use Dopplers, they may still miss warning signs while using the equipment. It turns out she may have just heard her own heartbeat instead of her child’s. However, when she went to the doctor the next day, she learned her baby had died. She used a fetal Doppler, heard a heartbeat, and felt reassured.
In one tragic case, a woman became concerned when she noticed her baby had stopped moving. High stress levels have been shown to increase the risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and a lower immune system in mother and child (4). What if you can’t find your baby’s heartbeat simply because your child has moved positions? What if the speed of your baby’s heartbeat freaks you out, even though it is normal?įetal Dopplers cause moms stress, and stress is not good for your baby.
Fetal doppler heart monitor how to#
Extra Stressīecause you often do not know how to analyze your baby’s heartbeat, it is easy to become scared. Moms using fetal Dopplers at home do not have the benefit of this experience and training. They know what a normal baby heartbeat sounds like and can use that knowledge to diagnose any problems. Health care professionals, including doctors, nurses, and midwives, train extensively to learn how to use ultrasound equipment properly. Don’t you just have to take the Doppler, place it on your stomach, and listen? This may be the start, but the interpretation of what you hear is essential.
On the surface, finding and listening to your baby’s heartbeat may seem simple. We can summarize our concerns with fetal Doppler safety in five points. When we look closely at the problems fetal Dopplers can pose, we realize they are not a good idea. However, medical professionals strongly advise against using fetal Dopplers at home, and we have to agree with them. A fetal Doppler doesn’t pose a major threat to your child when used by a trained professional. The answer to this question is complicated. A fetal Doppler differs in that it can only produce sound when placed very close to the source. The ultrasound machine is operated by a technician and produces the image and provides the sound. During an ultrasound visit, your doctor uses an ultrasound machine to capture visual and audio recordings of your growing baby inside the womb. Ultrasounds are sound vibrations so high human ears can’t hear them. You may be surprised to learn that ultrasound isn’t a machine. The Doppler is placed onto your stomach and moved about until you hear the heartbeat.Īlong with your baby’s heartbeat, a fetal Doppler can also pick up any other sound waves inside your body, including your own heartbeat. The Doppler apparatus is generally attached to this unit with a cord.Ī gel is applied to the Doppler monitor to allow it to move freely. To use a Doppler, you hold one end in your hand, where the controls are located, and the sound is emitted. What Is a Fetal Doppler?Ī fetal Doppler is a small, handheld machine that detects and emits the sound of your baby’s heartbeat (3). This fast heartbeat is completely normal and shouldn’t cause concern. With babies, it is an entirely different story. Generally, when we hear about an elevated heartbeat, we start to worry. If you compare this to an adult’s average heartbeat, which is 60 to 100 bpm (2), you’ll see that babies’ hearts beat much faster. During the last ten weeks, the heartbeat will begin to slow (1). From this point on, the heartbeat will fluctuate depending on your baby’s gestational age.īy nine weeks, the average heart rate is 175 bpm and will likely fall between 120 and 180 bpm throughout most of your pregnancy. When the heart starts beating, it may be slow, around 100 beats per minute (bpm). Your baby’s heart starts beating at approximately five weeks gestation. The growth of a baby’s heart is miraculous. How Can I Know if My Baby Is Healthy During Pregnancy?Īs we discuss fetal Dopplers, it is good to understand how your baby’s heart works.
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