Pregnancy is an anxious time for many women; worrying about your baby’s safety can cause you to be nervous and stressed. Fetal heartbeat monitors, also known as fetal dopplers can help give you the peace of mind you crave during pregnancy by allowing you to hear the heartbeat of your baby from the comfort of your own home. You can buy fetal heartbeat monitors to keep or rent you can one just for the duration of your pregnancy. If you are deciding whether or not to use one of these fetal dopplers, make sure you research and know all the facts about them before you make a decision.
The good thing about fetal dopplers is that they can give you peace of mind. Many mothers are anxious about the well-being of their unborn baby and worry that something may be wrong. A fetal doppler lets you hear the heartbeat of your baby by sending out low frequency ultrasound waves. You’ll need to put a special gel on your skin to help with transmitting these waves. The waves then pass through your skin and tissue and then bounce back to you, translating into sounds you can hear, such as your baby’s heartbeat. Be aware that you will also hear other sounds such as your organs, your baby’s organs, and the sound of the blood flowing through the placenta. Especially for mothers who have experienced a miscarriage or another problem with an unborn baby before, fetal heartbeat monitors can relieve the anxiety they may now be feeling during pregnancy.
The problem with fetal dopplers is that, although some scientific research has been done, the research has not been able to determine that these ultrasounds are safe or unsafe. The British Medical Ultrasound Society issued a statement in 2002 confirming that there has never been any evidence of harm resulting from the use of ultrasound in pregnancy. However, others argue that the technology is very complicated and that only trained professionals were using the devices in those studies.
The bottom line is that, until more research is done to determine how safe using a fetal monitor is, the decision about whether or not to use one is a personal decision for you to make. You can also seek advice from your doctor on this matter. Also, if you do decide to use a fetal doppler, you may want to be cautious about how often you use it. Ultrasounds are complicated technology and should only be used as needed.
So fetal heartbeat monitors can help you get the peace of mind you need during your pregnancy. Check around for products and prices to find the best deals. Many dopplers will come with batteries, gel, and cases, along with a warranty. You’ll want to make sure you get the most out of your money by checking different product Web sites and finding the best deal possible. Also make sure you read the instructions thoroughly to be sure you are using the product properly. Listening to your unborn baby’s heartbeat can reassure you and give you and your family the joy of hearing the life that is inside of you.
By Janelle Walker