What Is Fetal Heart Doppler?
A fetal heart doppler is a handheld ultrasound device that uses sound waves to detect movement. It is a device used during prenatal checkups to monitor a baby’s heartbeat. While a fetal heartbeat begins at five to six weeks of pregnancy, depending on the brand you choose, it can take ten to twelve weeks for a fetal heart doppler to pick up the heartbeat. The device has two parts- an LCD display and a probe. The probe is connected by a cord to the main device. It has to be in contact with the skin (along with gel) and moved on the lower abdomen to detect a heartbeat.Are Fetal Heart Dopplers Safe?
Fetal heart dopplers and other ultrasound devices are perfectly safe for both the mother and the developing baby when used by qualified medical professionals. Although there is a lack of evidence of adverse effects from continuous use of a fetal heart doppler, the FDA still advises against using it. This is because ultrasound tends to heat up tissues and may cause bubbles or cavitations in tissues. For best results, consult your obgyn and get clear instructions on using the fetal heart doppler safely and effectively.Top Rated Fetal Heart Dopplers in 2022
1. Best with Dual Display: Dr. Odin Fetal Doppler
On the Odin fetal doppler, you can choose between digital and waveform modes for the screen. There are two different kinds of displays for detected heartbeats: waveform and digital. The TFT display is bright and uses very little power. This can make the battery last longer when combined with the auto-shutoff feature. The display has other kinds of info, like the amount of battery life and the volume settings. This fetal heart doppler comes with an in-built speaker that allows you to increase or decrease the volume for better clarity. If that doesn't work for you, you can try the headphone jack. The USB charging is also a noteworthy feature for convenience. You can plug in headphones and hear your heartbeats better. Lastly, it is a safe fetal heart doppler as it does not emit any radiation.
Unique feature: Automatically Displays Fetal Heart Rate
Warranty: 6 months
Pros: Mini USB charging, Bright LCD display
Cons: Accuracy can be improved
Price: Rs. 2659
Rating: 3.6/5
2. Best for Lasting Battery: Olex Fetal Doppler
The Olex fetal doppler can be used for up to 10 hours on a single charge. It comes with two modes: standard and large font interference. The standard interference has waveform reading, and the large font interference gives you a digital display. With the included USB adapter and cord, you can charge it almost anywhere. This device's probe is extremely sensitive, allowing you to easily detect heartbeats. It has both built-in speakers and a headphone jack for crystal-clear sound. It is both waterproof and durable, making it one of the best at home fetal doppler.
Unique feature: Automatic shut-down without using after 1 minute
Warranty: 1 year
Pros: Non-radiative, rechargeable battery
Cons: Probe of the device could be improved
Rating: 3.7/5
3. Best for Sensitivity: BPL HomeCare Fetal Doppler
The sensitivity of the BPL fetal doppler is 2.5 MHz. It can find the fetal heart rate (FHR) very reliably and accurately as early as 16 weeks. There is a built-in speaker and a headphone jack to help you hear better. One thing that makes it stand out is that it has smart visual alerts that let you know if anything is wrong. This handheld fetal doppler device has a highly portable design, making it the best in portable fetal doppler. The high-quality speaker and headphone jack give you maximum clarity. It shows the fetal heart rate on both a digital screen and a waveform screen so that you can understand it better. This is a highly reliable product in the category of the best fetal heart rate doppler.
Unique Feature: Smart visual alerts notify you of any irregularity
Warranty: 1 year
Pros: Portable, sensitive probe
Cons: Controls could be improved
Price: Rs. 3449
Rating: 4.1/5
Buy on Amazon
4. Best for Large Display: AccuSure Fetal Doppler
This easy to use fetal heart doppler comes with a large LCD display, making it simple to read. You can switch between dual modes with the touch of a button. The volume control button allows you to increase or decrease the volume for a clearer hearing of heartbeat. It comes with a micro USB cable which can be used to charge with any regular adapter. The built-in speaker possesses superior sound quality, helping you hear fainter heartbeats too. Additionally, it is also radiation free making it safe for both mother and child.
Unique feature: Volume control of heartbeat
Warranty: 1 year
Pros: Battery status indicator, automatic shutdown
Cons: Accuracy can be improved
Price: Rs. 3175
Rating: 3.6/5
Buy on Amazon
5. Best in Budget Buy: Dr Trust in-Built Speaker Ultrasonic Fetal Doppler
Here is a fetal doppler that gives you accurate results and fits within your budget. The bright LCD display shows both waveform and digital detection of fetal heart rate (FHR). You can control the volume using the up/down buttons to hear a clearer sound. The hand-held device can be charged using USB chargers, making it so much more convenient. With almost 2.5 MHz, the probe is highly sensitive to help you detect the heartbeat easily. Along with the built-in speaker, it also has a headphone port for you to have a better hearing experience. The product uses clear voice capture technology to reduce noise for a clearer heartbeat.
Overall, it is a worthy buy in the range of affordable fetal doppler.
Unique feature: You can detect heartbeat as early as 12 weeks
Warranty: 1 year
Pros: Automatic shutdown, water resistant
Cons: No concerns
Price: Rs. 2499
Ratings: 3.8/5
Buy on Amazon
What To Look For In A Fetal Heart Doppler
Here are some of the crucial factors to be considered while buying a fetal heart dopplerSensitivity: A sensitive fetal heart doppler is more likely to give you an accurate result. Look for a fetal heart doppler that works within a range of 2-3MHz for reliable results every time.
Speakers: Having a built-in speaker is less of a hassle and more convenient. A headphone jack is an added bonus if you can’t hear the heartbeat well.
Warranty: Since this is a medical grade device, there is no room for error. So having an inefficient device is a big no; hence, the longer the warranty, the better. Look for devices with a minimum of a 1 year warranty.
Radiation-free: All devices must be radiation-free to eliminate potential harm to mother and child.
Display: Try to get a device with a bright LCD display along with dual modes. Having both digital and waveform helps you understand the reading better.
How To Use A Fetal Heart Doppler?
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a fetal heart doppler- Relax and lie down comfortably on your back
- Feel your abdomen for the baby's position. Depending on the trimester your baby’s position might change and so will positioning the doppler change.
- Apply a generous amount of gel on the probe. This is an important step to reduce static sound and for best results.
- Switch on the device and gently glide along the pubic bone to find the heartbeat. If this doesn't work for you try moving it around your lower belly.
- If the screen shows a heartbeat over 120 and you can hear a galloping sound that means you’ve found the foetus.
- Remember, you might not find it on your first try so relax and try again sometime.
- Wipe clean the probe using a dry cloth or 70% alcohol to keep it clean
- Do not immerse parts in water unless a waterproof feature is specified on your device
For a visual explanation, check out this video to help you understand the demonstrations better.
Benefits Of Using A Fetal Heart Doppler
Here’s why getting a fetal heart doppler can be a good investment:- Using a fetal heart doppler and listening to your little one’s heartbeat can significantly bring down stress levels associated with pregnancy. It can help you feel at ease since pregnancy can be overwhelming at times. This can be particularly helpful for expectant parents with a history of infertility, stillbirth or pregnancy loss to find peace by hearing their baby’s precious heartbeat.
- Most women who have a high risk pregnancy are advised by doctors to monitor themselves using a fetal heart doppler. In case of any irregularities they can seek medical care to avoid further complications.
- Lastly, it can be a memorable bonding experience not just for the parents, but as well as the family and other caregivers.
Risks Of Using A Fetal Doppler
While there are multiple benefits associated with the use of a fetal heart doppler, it comes with risks that cannot be ignored. Some of these are- A fetal doppler can give you best results only when used in a medical setting under trained experts, making it unreliable if used anxiously. You can mistake the heartbeat of your baby with your own heartbeat or even sounds of placenta. In such cases, you can be under the impression that everything is fine, when in reality that might not be the case.
- It can also cause needless worry as it is not possible for everyone to detect a heartbeat. This could be due to multiple reasons including the wrong method or faint heartbeat. In such cases it may cause you to stress for absolutely no reason. Your healthcare provider is trained to read and decipher readings of a fetal heart doppler. So you shouldn’t jump to conclusions without receiving professional help.
- Ultrasound has been linked with heating up tissues and forming bubbles or cavitations in them. There is no study as of yet that proves the harmful effects of long term repetitive use. So it's always advised to use the device in moderation.
Conclusion
As a mother, your urge to constantly listen to your baby’s heart is totally understandable. Fetal heart dopplers can be a great way to ease some of the anxiety you may have. At the same time, using them continuously can do more harm than good. Make sure you use fetal heart dopplers in between routine checkups and not in place of them. We hope we were able to help you make an informed decision about the best fetal heart doppler on the market. Happy Parenting!
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