Pregnant? You May Want to Invest in a Baby Heart Monitor

It used to be that fetal doppler systems were only available in hospitals or doctor's offices. Pregnant women got to experience the excitement of hearing their baby's heartbeat during prenatal check-ups, but for many this was not frequently enough. In recent years, manufacturers have made several home fetal heart monitor units available, and they have become quite popular.

A baby heart monitor works by using ultrasound. Most models have either a built in speaker system or headphones through which you can hear your baby's heart beat. There are numerous different kind of fetal monitors available, ranging from very cheap models under $50 to those that cost thousands of dollars and have built in options such as CD recording ability (so you can share the sound of your baby's heart beat with family and friends) and laptop compatibility.

The quality of the monitors also varies considerably. You may find that the sounds with some of the cheaper units are hard to pick up. If you are interested in acquiring one of the more sophisticated models and do not have several hundred (or thousand) of dollars to lay out, renting them are also an option. Many companies will rent expensive fetal doppler equipment for a reasonable monthly rate (just make sure you get them insured as well, in case it gets lost or broken while in your care).

Here is a video of a woman using a fetal doppler device. As you will see, they are quite simple to use:

To date, there have been no studies that have shown any problems associated with baby heartbeat doppler devices. Some may, still, suggest caution and further research is necessary. These critics frequently point out that x-rays were once considered safe as well by the scientific community and were used on pregnant women before they were found later to pose significant risks.

Some of the concerns voiced by critics of fetal doppler devices are that the ultrasound technology may in some way impact a fetus's brain, possibly contributing to autism later in life. Others are concerned that using a fetal doppler device repeatedly during pregnancy may raise the risk of miscarriage.

If you have concerns, you may want to do further research yourself on fetal doppler. It is worth noting, however, that these devices have been in use for over sixty years at this point without any conclusive scientific evidence at all showing they promote autism or miscarriages.

Proponents of fetal doppler devices will argue that these devices may save the life or an unborn child since they will allow the parents to quickly tell if there is a problem with the baby's heartbeat and seek immediate help. For those who have a history of problematic pregnancies and miscarriages, a fetal doppler device may be an important way to check the status of the baby on a regular basis.

If you do decide to purchase a fetal doppler unit, you should consider purchasing a model that is FDA approved. You also, depending on the retailer, may be required to submit proof that your pregnancy caregiver is aware that you are using such a device and approves of its use. You should remember that a fetal monitor should never be used to replace proper prenatal care and that if you ever have serious questions regarding the health of your baby, you should immediately contact your doctor or midwife.