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Step 1
Make sure it is easy to use. Most baby heartbeat monitors are going to function in a very similar manner. You apply ultrasound gel to your abdomen and press the sensor head of the device against your skin, then slowly move it around until you pick up the sound of the heartbeat. Make sure that the wand fits comfortably in your hand. Also, models that operate at 3GHz are reported to be the easiest to use.
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Step 2
Decide whether you want to be able to record the sound. Many modern baby heart monitors will give you the option of recording the sound of your baby's heartbeat. From there, you can usually burn it to a CD or save it to your computer as an MP3 file. An audio CD of your baby's heartbeat can be a wonderful memento, so it's definitely something you should consider.
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Step 3
Make sure that it is FDA approved. FDA approval means that the device has been strenuously tested by the government to ensure its efficacy and safety. The last thing you want to do is do something to endanger your developing baby. Choosing a model that is FDA approved eliminates the risk.
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Step 4
Check the expected battery life. The battery life is going to vary somewhat between baby heartbeat monitor devices, but you can generally expect about 100 to 200 hours of operation on a single battery. Units that are plug in or use a 9 volt battery will give you the best performance.
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Step 5
Decide if you want to rent or purchase. If you are expecting to have more children later on, you could definitely find benefit in purchasing a baby heartbeat monitor, but if you are only going to have the one or if you are unsure, you may want to consider renting one instead.
