Some companies even state that their dopplers should only be used in the third trimester — that is, from week 28 onward. You may want to play around with your doppler and see if you can hear anything. While at-home fetal dopplers are appealing to many parents-to-be, there are some safety concerns. The only time you should use a doppler, the FDA says, is when a doctor is using it, in which case it is medically necessary.
This is more worrying when it comes to at-home fetal dopplers, because some parents might want to reach for their fetal dopplers every day. Along those lines, in , an article in the British Medical Journal noted a case of a woman who was 38 weeks pregnant. She had a stillbirth. If you think something is wrong, see a doctor immediately. Many people buy home fetal dopplers to soothe their anxiety about their pregnancy.
However, using a fetal doppler can produce the opposite effect. Being unable to find the heartbeat can cause a bit of panic. But there are real reasons for this difficulty. Most dopplers come with their own instructions for operating the device, but here is a general guide:.
Fetal dopplers can be bought online. There are many brands out there that sell fetal dopplers, but — and this is a red flag in some cases — not that many are transparent about the details of their devices. Here are a couple of the more popular brands.
Take care to avoid scams by purchasing from a reputable source. And while getting a cheaper fetal doppler can be tempting, the cheaper devices tend to have poorer reviews — so let the buyer beware! The desire to use a fetal doppler at home is understandable — hearing that precious little heartbeat can be magical. Updated January 1, Edwards K, Itzhak P. Estimated date of delivery. National Center for Biotechnology Information.
Updated November 6, American College of Obstetrics and Gynecologists. Obesity and pregnancy. Updated May Intermittent auscultation fetal monitoring during labour: A systematic scoping review to identify methods, effects, and accuracy. PLoS One. Michigan Medicine University of Michigan.
Fetal monitoring during labor. Updated October 8, John Hopkins Medicine. Fetal heart monitoring. Ultrasound imaging. Updated September 28, Your Privacy Rights.
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Table of Contents. When It Is Used. How It Works. Is It Safe? Are fetal dopplers safe? Are dopplers safe to use at home? Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.
Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Related Articles. What Is a Transvaginal Ultrasound? If you are past 12 weeks and your baby's heartbeat could not be detected using a fetal Doppler, your provider will likely recommend a fetal ultrasound also known as a sonogram. This test will tell you whether or not there is cause for concern through the use of imaging. The idea of being able to check in on your baby's heartbeat whenever you like can be extremely tempting, especially for people with high-risk pregnancies or those who are pregnant with a rainbow baby.
It can be difficult to wait until the next routine prenatal visit to get reassurance that everything is OK. While fetal Dopplers are available over the counter, most experts caution against using them. The FDA notes there are unknown long-term effects of such devices, and uncontrolled exposure could potentially be harmful. Additionally, when a heartbeat monitor is used without a healthcare professional's supervision, it can lead to problems. For example, an expecting parent might not consult their doctor when they should because of the false sense of security provided by hearing what they believe is their baby's heartbeat.
But there is the issue of accuracy: You may think you're hearing baby's heartbeat with an at-home fetal Doppler when in fact, you could be hearing your own blood flow or that of the placenta. Conversely, without training, you may not easily find a heartbeat when there is one, which can cause a lot of unnecessary anxiety. A trained healthcare professional can best recognize and interpret the sounds from a Doppler device.
With an at-home fetal Doppler, there's a chance you could be using it incorrectly. It should never be used as a replacement for a visit to your doctor or midwife. Before investing in a baby Doppler, talk to your provider about risks versus rewards.
Many expecting parents look forward to hearing a heartbeat with a fetal Doppler at their prenatal visits, but the lack of an audible heartbeat—even for just a few moments—can cause a flood of negative feelings. In addition to having regular prenatal care and an open dialogue with your provider, knowing about the limitations of baby Doppler devices can ease any anxiety. Get diet and wellness tips delivered to your inbox. Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Fetal heart monitoring. National Library of Medicine. Retroversion of the uterus. Updated March 31, Food and Drug Administration. Avoid fetal "keepsake" images, heartbeat monitors. Updated December 16, Bratton RL. Bratton's Family Medicine Board Review. Littleton LY, Engebretson J. Maternal, Neonatal, and Women's Health Nursing.
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