Doppler Tips: Easy and Safe Use
Posted by Laura Klein on 23rd Mar 2020
Thank you for purchasing the AngelSounds Fetal Doppler from www.snottynoses.com.au. Here is some more information to help you get the best use from this wonderful product.
- The AngelSounds Fetal Doppler will detect baby's heartbeat from around 15-16 weeks. This is a general guide only and many factors can affect the sound prominence of the fetal heartbeat.
- Some customers have reported hearing a heartbeat in the 10th week. This is more likely to occur with second or subsequent pregnancies.
- Taller women and women who are overweight may have a more difficult time hearing the heartbeat in the early weeks.
- It is recommended that the pregnant woman lies down to use the doppler, with legs flat.
- Having a full bladder is recommended, as this will help to bring your uterus up out of your pelvic cavity.
- Ensure the battery is charged and installed correctly.
- Turn the doppler to full volume, until heartbeat is located, then adjust for comfort.
- Find your own heartbeat first, to ensure the unit is working correctly.
- Your own heartbeat will be 70-90 bpm, but baby's will be around 150bpm. It is distinctly fast, so you will know whether it is your heartbeat or baby's coming through the ear piece.
- Use plenty of sorbolene style cream on the flat disc side of the doppler. Ultrasonic gel is not necessary as it can be quite abrasive and acidic to the skin.
- Start low, near the pelvic bone, moving slowly upwards, side to side, using firm but not uncomfortable pressure.
- You may hear placenta and fluid sounds, like a whoosh and a gurgle. These are all normal and expected.
- Be calm and patient. The first few times can take up to 20 mins to find the heartbeat. Early in pregnancy, the size of the fetal heart is so small and the sound is so faint it can be very easy to pass over and miss the sounds.
- Please don't confuse this device with an ultrasound machine. An ultrasound machine uses very powerful probes (5-10MHz) at a much higher output level, whereas a fetal doppler only uses a 3MHz probe at a much lower output level. For this reason, fetal dopplers are unable to detect a heartbeat before 8 weeks, and usually not before 10-12 weeks.
- Also remember that fetal dopplers should not be used as a substitute for regular prenatal care by your doctor or midwife. Fetal dopplers are not a diagnostic device. Any concerns about your pregnancy, fetal movement or unusual symptoms should be discussed with your medical practitioner.
