If a person does not hear a pulse, the best thing to do is to schedule a visit with the midwife or doctor. Not hearing the heartbeat on a Doppler does not necessarily mean that anything is wrong. It is crucial to note that detecting a heartbeat can be difficult, even in a healthy developing baby. After the baby starts moving, stop using the device, as fetal movements are a reliable way to check on the baby’s health.Use the device as infrequently as possible. Use the device for extremely limited periods: If the heartbeat is not detectable within 1–2 minutes, do not keep trying.Use ultrasound gel or aloe vera gel on the skin to make it easier to hear the heartbeat.Do not use the device too early - in most cases, a device will be unable to detect a heartbeat before the start of the second trimester.Check with the doctor or midwife about any specific factors that might make the use of a Doppler especially risky.Ask a doctor or midwife whether they can recommend a specific device that they believe to be relatively safe.The safest option is to not use at-home Dopplers devices, at least until more research has investigated their safety.Īny expectant parents who feel that they cannot wait should: Anyone who feels anxious about a pregnancy should speak with a healthcare professional about managing their anxiety.Ī doctor or midwife may also offer safer alternatives to at-home Dopplers, such as more regular in-office ultrasounds. At the doctor’s office, an ultrasound confirmed intrauterine death.Įmotional health is very important. They describe the experience of a pregnant woman who noticed a decrease in fetal movement but delayed going to the doctor because she believed that she had heard the baby’s heartbeat on an at-home fetal Doppler device. Yet, the authors of an article in The BMJ caution that these devices can provide false reassurance. People with a history of infertility, stillbirth, or pregnancy loss, in particular, may find that the reassuring sound of a fetal heartbeat can ease anxiety. Some expectant parents, however, find that these devices offer peace of mind. Using a device and not finding a heartbeat can trigger anxiety and even panic, especially when a person has already heard the heartbeat in the doctor’s office. It is difficult to detect a heartbeat on these devices, and most cannot do so for weeks or even months after a medical ultrasound can. Moreover, these devices offer no medical benefits, unlike diagnostic ultrasound, which can detect certain problems and ensure that the pregnancy is not harming the mother.Īt-home Dopplers can also stoke needless fears. Using ultrasound devices, including at-home Dopplers, can expose the baby to increased heat, and frequent use may be especially dangerous.Īs these devices are not well-regulated, and most of the people who use them lack medical training, at-home Dopplers may increase the risk of heat-related injury to the developing fetus. Research has found that prolonged heat increases the risk of certain congenital abnormalities and can potentially lead to pregnancy loss. One of the main concerns about ultrasound devices is that they slightly heat bodily tissue. For that reason, in 2014, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advised consumers not to buy or use these devices. However, there is also no evidence that they are safe. There is no evidence that at-home Dopplers injure the baby. Share on Pinterest A person should talk to their medical provider before using an at-home fetal Doppler.
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