Buying a Home Baby Heart Monitor

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What is a baby heart monitor (fetal doppler)?

A fetal heart doppler is lightweight, portable device you can use in the comfort of your own home, which emits low frequency ultrasound waves. It can be used from around the end of the first trimester (depending on the model and brand you have purchased) and allows you to listen to your baby's heartbeat and movements.

There are several types available, but the baby heart monitor will usually comprise of a battery powered handset with the controls on and a transducer, which is the part you will need to place on your bump in order to hear the baby's heartbeat. Often the device will allow you to make a recording of the heart beat which you can then use as a keepsake, share with family and friends, or even play back to your baby after birth as calming white noise.

Fetal dopplers work by passing ultrasound waves through a conductive gel, your skin and your body tissue , which will then reverberate off the unborn child. The device will translate that bounce into a sound so you can 'hear' the movement.

It takes a little practice to use a baby heartbeat monitor correctly – remember, when your midwife checks the baby's heart rate at prenatal checks it can take several minutes to find to right position to hear it. But with a little experience you will soon be able to distinguish between the sound of the baby's heartbeat and other background noises such as the sound of your blood pumping around the placenta (remember, a normal fetal heart rate will sound much faster than your own at around 120 to 160 beats per minute).

Is it safe to use a fetal heart doppler?

One of the concerns you may have about purchasing your own baby heart monitor is whether ultrasound waves can harm your baby. However, there is no evidence that these devices are unsafe. The British Medical Ultrasound Society studied forty years worth of records and concluded that, because of the low frequency of the ultrasound emissions, there is no risk to the foetus if the mother uses a fetal doppler for extended periods at home.

Despite there being no link found between birth abnormalities and ultrasound by the BMUS, hospitals err on the side of caution and try to limit the amount of time they spend scanning a baby. This is why they only offer frequent scans if there are concerns about the unborn child. But it is important to stress that this is done as a precaution only, and hospital ultrasound machines emit at a far higher frequency than a hand-held baby heart monitor.

If you are concerned, limit the amount of time or frequency of occasions you use the device, especially in the delicate first trimester.

Important points to remember about baby heart monitors

• Ensure that the fetal doppler complies with current safety standards.
• Check it is supplied with ultrasound gel. If it is not, ensure you purchase some or the device will not work.
• Only use gels formulated specially for the purpose. Other gels are unlikely to work and can damage the transducer.
• Do not rely solely on the baby heartbeat monitor to reassure you about the health of your growing baby. After 20 weeks, you should also be monitoring the frequency of your baby's movements (for more information speak to your midwife).
• If you have any concerns about your unborn baby contact your midwife or local Fetal Assessment Unit immediately.