| How does the Doppler work ? | | | | reassuring noise ! |
| The Doppler listens to the reflections of small, high | | | | How many heartbeats per minute will I hear ? |
| frequency sound waves that are reflected from | | | | The fetal heartbeat is much faster than your own |
| within the womb. These sound waves are picked up | | | | and is usually between 120 and 160 beats per minute. |
| by the probe and amplified through the hand held | | | | However, the heartbeat is not likely to remain |
| speaker so that you can hear them clearly. There are | | | | constant and will vary depending on the time of day |
| a variety of sounds that can be heard, including the | | | | and amount of activity. The readings from the |
| fetal heart beat/tone, each of which is distinctive and | | | | Doppler should not be used for self-diagnosis as any |
| so are easily identified. You can hear kicks and | | | | interpretation is complicated and requires detailed |
| hiccups when your baby grows larger. Sounds can | | | | medical training. |
| generally be heard from 10-12 weeks of your | | | | Do I need a special lotion or ultrasound gel ? |
| pregnancy. | | | | The probe on your fetal doppler needs a dense liquid |
| Is the Doppler safe ? | | | | to pick up the sound waves from the womb. The |
| All the Fetal Doppler's available through reputable | | | | coupling gel that is provided with your Doppler is to |
| internet stores are the same, or use the same | | | | be used to ensure the high quality and clarity of the |
| technology as the Doppler's used by your midwife or | | | | sounds you can hear. |
| doctor during your examinations throughout your | | | | Doppler Tips |
| pregnancy. Ultrasound technology has been used for | | | | - A very easy way to find the heartbeat is to take |
| many years without any adverse effect on either | | | | your Doppler with you to your next prenatal |
| the foetus or mother. | | | | appointment. Your OB or midwife can help you locate |
| Fetal Doppler's have an incredible safety record. They | | | | your baby's heartbeat and provide you with helpful |
| have been used daily for the last thirty years around | | | | doppler tips. |
| the world. It is estimated around five million are in use | | | | - A full bladder may help, especially in early pregnancy. |
| every single day. No adverse effects to either | | | | - Early in pregnancy, start your fetal doppler in line |
| mother or baby have ever been reported. | | | | with the belly button right above the pubic hair. As |
| Please do not confuse Doppler's with ultrasound | | | | pregnancy progresses, your fetal doppler will find the |
| scanners used in a hospital to show images of your | | | | heartbeat higher up the abdomen. |
| baby. Our Doppler's use ultrasound in an extremely | | | | - Move the doppler probe VERY slowly - it is quite |
| low power output. This is why they are run on a | | | | easy to go over the heartbeat. Also, if you move |
| household battery alone. | | | | the probe too fast it may cause interference noise. |
| What if I can't find the heartbeat ? | | | | - Tilt the doppler probe downward toward the pubic |
| Finding the heartbeat can be daunting at first as your | | | | bone. |
| baby may be lower than you expect. Make sure you | | | | - Be sure to use plenty of Doppler gel. If you run out |
| have used a generous amount of coupling gel and | | | | of gel, you can buy additional doppler gel from us. |
| position the probe low down on your abdomen. If | | | | - The baby is normally positioned far deeper in the |
| you do not hear any sound at first, move the probe | | | | pelvis than you would imagine. |
| slowly until you pick up the heartbeat. The fetal heart | | | | - Do not panic if you do not pick up the heartbeat |
| beat sounds like a galloping horse and is very fast at | | | | immediately, some days you will it and other days |
| 120-160 beats per minute. If you still have difficulty | | | | the baby may be in hiding. |
| then refer to the leaflet enclosed with your Doppler. | | | | CASE STUDIES/TESTIMONIALS FROM |
| How can I tell it's not my heartbeat I can hear? | | | | "The Fetal doppler is a nice way of feel secure of |
| The sound of the fetal heartbeat is distinctive, but | | | | that your baby is ok. My baby's father thinks this is |
| can often be confused with other sounds at first. | | | | quite fantastic. You can really hear the baby tumbling |
| You may well have heard it already during your | | | | around in the belly...noises from kicking, and the |
| antenatal appointments with your midwife or doctor. | | | | strong heart beats, Regards, K" |
| It is a regular fast beating sound, not to be confused | | | | "received my fetal doppler today and wow its really |
| with the swishing sound of the placenta. | | | | good I am 14 weeks and have never heard the |
| - A roaring sound, like waves on a beach, is the | | | | baby's heartbeat before, although I have 2 other |
| sound of your placenta. | | | | children I wish I could of had one in my previous |
| - A 'whooshing' noise is the sound of the blood supply | | | | pregnancy's its so clear and easy to use. thanks x" |
| to the placenta. | | | | "Very, very excited. Able to hear heartbeat but not |
| - Your own pulse! Don't forget that your baby's | | | | as clear - only 10 weeks today. This fetal Doppler is |
| heartbeat is about twice as fast as this. | | | | going to create a more relaxed pregnancy. Looking |
| - A pulse that is more high-pitched than your baby's | | | | forward to the rest of my pregnancy with my new |
| heartbeat, but at the same speed. This is the pulse | | | | companion that will be reassuring me. I believe this |
| through the umbilical cord; a very pregnant and | | | | product is a must have in pregnancy. |