How to Measure Fetal Heart Tones With a Doppler

Hearing your baby's heartbeat while you are pregnant can be reassuring. Having a fetal doppler--a device that uses sound waves to capture an unborn baby's heart rate--on hand means you can hear your baby's heart tones at home and in between doctor's visits. With just a few minutes and some doppler gel handy, you can even measure your baby's heart rate.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Doppler
• Doppler gel

Find the Heartbeat

1. Lie down or sit in preparation for using the doppler.

2. Place a generous amount of doppler gel--a gel designed for use with a doppler--on your abdomen. This will help your unit to pick up your baby's heart tones.

3. Put the doppler probe on top of the gel, angling it downward and towards the top of your pubic bone.

4. Turn the doppler on with the hand that is not holding the probe.

5. Start moving the doppler in a circular motion across your abdomen. Move slowly to avoid missing your baby's heart tones.

6. Move the doppler in circular motions from one side of your belly to the other and across your entire abdomen until you hear your baby's heartbeat.

Measure the Heart Tones

7. Distinguish between your heart tones and your baby's. A baby's heart tones are likely to sound like a galloping horse, while yours should be much slower.

8. Count your baby's heart beats over a 60-second period.

9. Multiply the number of beats heard in 60 seconds by two. According to FetalDopplerFacts, the result is your baby's heart rate.

10. Expect a normal heart rate to be at least 110 beats per minute (BPM) and up to 180 BPM. However, a baby's heart rate can fluctuate and may vary, depending on the time of day you use the doppler. Additionally, higher rates may be completely normal.

Tips & Warnings

• If you are between eight and 12 weeks of pregnancy, place the doppler gel and probe close to your pubic bone and begin checking for the heartbeat there. In later weeks, it may be better to start closer to your navel.
• Doppler gel is best for use with a doppler. However, other gels and lotions may be safe and effective. To make sure you won't damage the probe, consult your doppler's manual before using anything other than doppler gel. Additionally, you may notice increased static, if you don't use doppler gel.
• Some women have trouble hearing their babies' heartbeats before 12 to 14 weeks. If you have difficulty, take the doppler to your next doctor's visit. Your doctor may be able to help you.
• Drink plenty of water and start with a full bladder, especially if you're in the early weeks of pregnancy. This may make it easier for the doppler to pick up the sound waves.
• Don't panic if the doppler probe does not pick up your baby's heart tones. The baby may be in a strange position that makes finding the heartbeat difficult. Drink some water and try again, try later, or call your doctor if you are worried.
• Don't use a fetal doppler for diagnostic purposes. See your doctor if you have questions about your baby's health.

References

• FetalDopplerFacts.org
• ABC NEWS
• Pregnancy-Info.net

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