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Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

 I just bought a baby heart monitor, but before I use it I want to make sure it's safe. What's your opinion on these?

Re:  I just bought a baby heart monitor, but before I use it I want to make sure it's safe. What's your opinion on these?

The Bump Expert

Fetal heart monitors (or Doppler machines) do appear to be safe for the fetus. But, I generally do not recommend them for use at home. In many cases, they cause more stress for expectant mothers than relief. It can be difficult at times to find the fetus' heart rate since the fetus moves around a lot. Also, the fetal heart rate normally has some variation to it, so I've seen mothers get very concerned when the heart rate is higher or lower then they've seen before.

Dr. Ashley Roman | July 09 , 2009 1:25 PM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

the ones you get at walmart target, etc dont work at all! I had one, and was sorely disappointed to find that it was near impossible to find the heart beat and that it was a waste of money...if you can get your hands on one like the drs have, that would be better!

jlewis121186 | May 21 , 2010 1:50 PM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

I had a medical grade one for my last oregnancy. I loved it because I was always so nervous about losing the baby after the first miscarriage. Unfortunately, the doppler was borrowed from a friend so i had to buy my own this time around. I got a good one for pretty cheap on Ebay.

Bvartanian88 | June 10 , 2010 10:57 PM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

I love them. You can rent them online. Don't be worried though if you don't hear that heartbeat until 10 weeks. This is the second time I've rented one. The further along you can actually hear the baby moving around too.

sarah7181 | June 21 , 2010 10:23 AM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

I have one and LOVE it! But I would recommend getting one that has a probe on it, and not one that straps around the belly. I have heard some not-so-good things about those :/ I actually got mine (which is very close to the one the doctor uses) for really really cheap on Ebay, and it came with free ultrasound gel. So i would suggest doing something like that rather than getting one from Wal-Mart or something. AND, it does take a few minutes to find the heartbeat, so don't get discouraged if you can't find it right way.

jordanjamison99 | October 26 , 2010 3:05 PM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

I bought one and works very well. I'm 8 weeks and we heard the baby's heart beat for the first time last night. I had a miscarriage 3 months ago, so I worry all the time. The one I bought is a heart detector, the Angelsounds Fetal Heart Detector. The best $25 I have ever spent.

cheldawn | December 04 , 2010 12:00 PM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

Hey i am eight weeks and havent had my doctors appt yet... so i bought the monitor for home and i swear i found the heart beat.... How did you know it was the babies can you hear your own heart beat jw.... cause i was told eight weeks to hear it at home is really early hoping you have an answer you sound the most similer to mine hope to hear from you thanks kayla

kaylachurch024 | December 10 , 2010 10:22 AM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

That comment is for cheldawn or any one with answers thank you

kaylachurch024 | December 10 , 2010 10:24 AM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

Kayla, baby's heartbeat is much faster than yours, so there's no mistaking when you hear it. Yours will likely be in the 80 bpm range, whereas baby's will be anywhere from ~130-170 bpm.

Agape14 | December 14 , 2010 11:14 AM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

I love mine. I bout it at Meijer for $20 and although it says you generally can't find the heartbeat until 21 weeks I found mine at 20 (when we purchased the monitor) with no problems at all. I love laying down and listening to baby's heartbeat and hearing it move around and Hearing the Kicks that line up with feeling them is an amazing feeling for me =)

BabyST | December 14 , 2010 2:01 PM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

I bought one a couple of weeks ago. I'm 10 weeks now & I can still only find my hb. I've heard movement sounds but I'm struggling to find baby's hb. Maybe it's because I'm a heavier girl or maybe it's because baby's "running around" in there and won't stay still enough for me to find it. Either way, I have my nuchal translucency (NT) scan/test in 2 weeks and know I'll be hearing LO's hb "whooshing" then. Best of luck to all!

TwoBits2012 | August 23 , 2011 12:39 PM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

I didn't buy, I rent it from a website called heart tones, it is the same dopler they use in the hospital and I love it, it costs $22 per month, they have a great service and it has given me such peace of mind, of course the nurse finds the heart beat much quicker than me and my husband but you just have to be patience. I told my doctor that I rent it, and he said that was a great idea and this is why...I started using it when I was 12 weeks and I'm giving it back at 16 weeks, all of this time you can't feel the baby yet so it's very calming for the new parents knowing that your baby is doing great.Even the my 2 dogs love laying down next to me very quietly to hear our baby.Oh, and for new parents, you can hear on they're website how the heart beat is supposed to be on the different stages of pregnancy, and all the different sounds you can hear around the baby and there is a lot of them...this was one of the gifts I gave my husband on our second wedding anniversary since he couldn't be with me when the nurse heard the baby the first time, he loved it, and at home we recorded with our phone and sent it by e-mail to our family in portugal, since they can be with us during the pregnancy....great experience for all of us.

sandracmouro | September 11 , 2011 9:50 AM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

Go to BabyFM.com. They have various models for purchase or for rent. I just ordered one and my friend is currently using one that works great! She was only 10 months and could already find the heartbeat, but my doctor said usually it takes a little longer to find it. Don't be discouraged Mommies! Oh and models that you find in stores are actually NOT dopplers, they are "sound amplifiers". Be weary of that. These only work in the 3rd trimester as they detect the actual sounds. Dopplers measure movement and translate it into sound.

CarrieandIz2011 | September 23 , 2011 12:56 PM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

I remember I saw some home doppler monitors for sale at event spaces nyc and I wanted to buy one of those but thought it was too early and now I regret it. It is very good to have such device in your home; they are worth the money if you want to be sure your fetus is healthy.

amyabel68 | November 22 , 2011 11:22 AM

Q&A: Are home doppler monitors worth the money?

yes. i was going to rent one...but you can get them much cheaper on ebay. i have had 2 miscarriages....so this give me peace of mind. (makes dh nervous though)

tikiandburley | April 14 , 2012 10:25 PM

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