Pregnancy is a time of joy and excitement; the thought of a little person growing inside a mother-to-be is an amazing idea. This is especially true for the women who are experiencing it. But for some mothers this is also a time of fear, anxiety, and heartache. For some women, a doctor’s appointment is a frightening experience, especially those first few moments before they hear the baby’s heartbeat. Every appointment is an opportunity to be reassured that the baby is thriving and doing well, but it is also a time of dread to find out there is something wrong. There is now a way to put their minds at ease using a baby heartbeat monitor.
The baby heartbeat monitor uses Doppler technology similar to that found in ultra sound equipment. It works by sending out a frequency into the body that then bounces off the baby and returns back to the Doppler. These frequencies are then measured which in ordinary ultra sounds produces an image on a monitor. It is similar to the sonar used in ships to determine the depth of the ocean floor. This same technology is used in monitors to listen to the baby’s heartbeat while in the womb.
Heart beat monitors are not microphones. Microphones simply amplify the noises they hear and project those noises through speakers. Fetal doppler monitors are more advanced and actually filter out the background noise, providing a clear distinct audio of the baby’s heartbeat through speakers. This can now be accomplished in the privacy of the home instead of waiting for the next doctor’s appointment.
The advantages of fetal dopplers are obvious; not only do they put a pregnant mother’s mind at ease, but they can also detect problems that otherwise might go unnoticed. If the heartbeat is listened to often enough a mother may notice irregularities and will seek medical attention sooner then she otherwise would have. Listening to the infant’s heart is also a bonding experience for family members that do not know the joys of carrying a baby inside the womb. It gives the father-to-be and older siblings a chance to enjoy and connect with the baby before birth. Some monitors also allow the sounds to be recorded and uploaded onto a computer. Now the heartbeat can be heard by family and friends both near and far. Another advantage of a fetal doppler monitor is early detection of infant problems. For instance, once the heartbeat is detected the risk of miscarriage is significantly reduced. Some home monitors can detect the heartbeat as early as 10-12 weeks, with most providing results at 12-14 weeks. Pregnant women can now put their minds at ease with these devices, sometimes before ever seeing the doctor. Hearing those first swooshes can put a troubled mind at ease.
For all the joy baby heartbeat monitors provide, they are a few drawbacks. Occasionally a monitor may not detect the heartbeat of a healthy infant or a user can misinterpret the sounds they are hearing, causing panic and worry. These fears should be addressed with medical staff that are trained to listen for heart problems. Occasionally a woman may undergo further testing; however the mother may end up feeling more assured when the tests results show a healthy infant.
For most users the advantages of using a baby heartbeat monitor far outweighs any disadvantages. Overall it is a safe and effective way for the mother and family members to create a bond before the birth of the child. Besides, anything that reduces stress and eliminates the fears of a new mother is more than worth it.
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