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How To Use Fetal Doppler?
Resource Description
In the early months of pregnancy, every woman wants to be closer to her baby. In Particular, you may find it helpful to check the baby’s heartbeat by applying a fetal doppler tool at home.
What Is A Fetal Doppler?
A fetal doppler is a tool applied at home to hear the baby’s heartbeat. The tool commonly runs on batteries and comes with a specific probe to glide over the pregnant stomach. Applying headphones, you may be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Several fetal doppler comes with an LCD display screen that allows you to know the heart rate of the baby.
The fetal doppler operates by the principle of the “doppler effect”. The fetal doppler transmits the ultrasound waves into the lower stomach. These waves are referred from the fetal heart, the tool determines the periodicity change and it transforms into a sound.
The waves that are transmitted by a fetal doppler are higher than those waves that are transmitted from the ultrasound machine, the tool can be applied at home.
How To Use Fetal Doppler?
Items that you demand to use fetal doppler properly:
Fetal Doppler - you should know what fetal doppler is ideal for you. Ideal fetal doppler may include earphones and come with an LCD screen. Several dopplers have a real-time heart monitoring system. Be sure that the tool is turned on and the batteries are inserted.
Ultrasound gel - is a significant component for checking the heart of the baby. Ultrasound gel is the ideal aspect to prevent static.
Comfortable place to lie - applying the fetal doppler is more effortless when you are lying down. Apply the sofa or bed.
Tissues or towels - use tissues and towels to wipe off the ultrasound gel.
Before you start applying the fetal doppler you should mention a few aspects. First, of all, it is suggested to start using the tool when you’ve reached 12 weeks of pregnancy to hear the baby’s heartbeat. Of course, it is possible to hear the heartbeat at 8 weeks.
Several dopplers may include their own instruction for tool functioning, but there are general rules for applying them at home:
Step 1:
Insert the batteries into your tool if it hasn't already.
Step 2:
Lie on your back in a comfortable position.
Step 3:
Apply an ultrasound gel to your lower stomach.
Step 4:
Turn on the fetal doppler and slowly move it around until you hear the heartbeat. The earlier your pregnancy is, the lower the heartbeat you will hear.
*Note: Be aware that
you may also hear your own heartbeat and pulse. Note that the baby’s heartbeat is much
faster.
What Is Not suggested To Do
There are several recommendations about what you mustn’t do while applying dopplers, thus providing a better chance of hearing the heartbeat of your baby:
Don’t press the doppler too hard. One of the most impressive advantages of the fetal doppler is that it offers to be closer to your baby. However, don’t press the tool too hard, move gently.
Don’t spread the gel all over. The ultrasound gel improves the connectivity and the transmission of the sound. Nevertheless, applying too much gel to your stomach generally will provide air bubbles.
It is significant to mention that determining the heartbeat may be a difficult task, even in a healthy developing baby. If you don’t hear the heartbeat, don’t worry, it doesn’t mean that something is wrong with your health.
When you don’t hear a pulse, the best advice is to contact the doctor. Note that even medical-grade equipment won't achieve hearing the heartbeat until 12-14 weeks of pregnancy.
Conclusion
Several women have various chronic conditions, for instance, kidney problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, and disorders that provide a high-risk pregnancy. It doesn’t mean that they won’t have a healthy pregnancy, however, being careful is necessary.
The most crucial advantage of using fetal doppler is that it offers you the ability to check your pregnancy at home. It also allows parents to have the impressive opportunity to hear the heartbeat of their baby before being born.