Posts Tagged ‘baby monitors’

Why You Need a Baby Heart Rate Monitor

No longer does the pregnant soon-to-be Mom have to wait for her next check up with her doctor to listen to her baby’s heartbeat. Now, right in the comfort of her own home any time she likes, she can use a baby heartbeat monitor to connect with her unborn child. It’s an amazing experience to hear your baby’s heart beat, not just the first time, but every time.

If you have had a miscarriage in the past or a previous difficult pregnancy it is understandable to be concerned about the current unborn child you are carrying. Regular visits to your OBGYN are extremely important, but a Doppler baby heart rate monitor may make your pregnancy a more relaxed experience for both you and your baby. A calm, relaxed mother is good for the baby.

The portable Doppler baby heart rate monitor is very similar to those used in doctor’s offices. They are simply smaller and more portable and are perfect for home use. Midwives love them as well.

These devices can detect your baby’s heart beat through the use of ultrasound and are battery powered. They are safe, easy to use and can pick up the baby’s heart beat as early as 10 weeks. A speaker broadcasts the sound of the heart beat and some models include an LCD display panel and a headphone jack as well.

Doppler fetal heart rate monitors are available for rent or purchase. They range in price from $50 to $500 for home use. It can be extremely helpful to take your monitor with you to your next prenatal exam and let your physician help you find the heart beat for the first time. There are a few ‘tricks’ that will make the process easier for you.

You will need a gel in addition to the monitor. It is often included, but if it is not, mineral oil or body lotion will work as well. It is also helpful, especially the first time you attempt to locate the heartbeat, to do it at a time when your bladder is full.

Begin by place plenty of gel on an area above the pubic hair line and below the belly button. Locate the probe on the area where you have applied the gel. Keeping the full face of the probe against the belly, move it very slowly in a rocking motion around the area until you find the heart beat.

The Doppler baby heart beat monitors have been approved for home use by the FDA. They have been test regularly over the last 30 years and no adverse effects have been shown to occur. The FDA does not even suggest a doctor’s approval before using at home.

Doppler baby heart beat monitors can make the ‘waiting for baby’ experience fun for the whole family. Not only will Mom find it reassuring, Dad and brother and sister can join in the excitement as well. A monitor can also make a difficult pregnancy less stressful and offer reassurance that everything is okay.

Use the monitor to relax and enjoy this special time of waiting and anticipation and keep your doctor informed of your progress. Continue to follow his recommendations and keep up with your pre-natal visits. Use the Doppler baby heart beat monitor to assist you and your doctor to make your pregnancy an easier experience.

 Mail this post

Technorati Tags: , , , , , , ,