What Is a Pocket Fetal Doppler and How Does It Work?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 3,596,017 babies are born in the US every year. During all of these pregnancies, checking the fetal heartbeat is essential to confirm the conception in its initial stages and to ensure the baby’s health. In this regard, taking a fetal doppler test is recommended. Nowadays, pocket fetal dopplers are available as OTC products that can be used at home.
Pocket fetal dopplers are one of the easiest ways to check the fetal heartbeat
In this article, let us learn about pocket fetal doppler in terms of what they are and how they are used. In addition, some well-known table and pocket fetal doppler brands have also been linked for the reader’s convenience.
What is a Pocket Fetal Doppler?
A pocket fetal doppler is a handheld ultrasound device that is used to check the fetal heartbeat. As these are an essential part of prenatal care, the healthcare providers as well as the midwives often use pocket fetal dopplers. These can be employed after the sixth week of the gestation period till the end of the third trimester.
This is because the fetal heartbeat develops after the middle of the first trimester. However, the heart sounds need to be stronger for their detection with a pocket fetal doppler. These pocket fetal dopplers are available over-the-counter (OTC) which means these can be easily bought and used at home as well.
How Does a Pocket Fetal Doppler Work?
Principle
The pocket fetal dopplers use sound waves to detect fetal as well as placental sounds. As the technique uses the Doppler effect as its principle, the name fetal doppler has been given to the device. The Doppler effect states that the frequency or wavelength of the waves (sound waves in this case) change depending upon the position of the observer relative to the wave source.
Working
The device comes with a probe as well as a main unit. A cord generates a connection between the two. When it comes to using the pocket fetal doppler, the healthcare provider applies gel at the end of the probe. This gelled probe is then put on the mother’s bare abdomen and moved until the fetal heart sound is detected.
This works because the pocket fetal doppler emits the sound waves into the mother’s body. These sound waves pass the abdominal skin and encounter the heart of the fetus. The fetal heart, in reaction, bounce back towards the abdominal tissues. Once bounced back, these sound waves are received by the device that processes them. This processed signal is then changed into an audible sound that can be heard as a fetal heartbeat.
A speaker is affixed to the device to listen to the heart sound. In addition, some fetal dopplers count and display the number of heartbeats on their screen while others do not. For the latter, the physician can manually count them. In general, this number falls between the ranges of 110 to 160 beats per minute.
Most pocket fetal dopplers display the heartbeat as well along with producing a heart sound
Applications of Pocket Fetal Dopplers
The pocket fetal dopplers are used in many cases for confirming fetal wellbeing. Some of these applications include the following:
Detection of Fetal Heartbeat
The pocket fetal dopplers are primarily employed for detecting the fetal heartbeat. The presence of a heartbeat confirms a normal pregnancy with a healthy fetus. The heart rate can also be counted either manually or by the device to check if it falls within the normal range.
Monitoring of Fetal Well-being
In addition to the detection of heartbeat, the pocket fetal doppler also helps monitor fetal health from time to time.
Possibility of Home Monitoring
In case of a risk of pregnancy loss, the pocket fetal dopplers can be used for home-based heartbeat monitoring. This way, the expectant parents can confirm if the fetus is alive and normal. If the heartbeat cannot be heard, it is advised to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
Locating the Placenta
The pocket fetal dopplers also help in checking the position of the placenta during the gestation period.
Checking the Umbilical Cord
Pocket fetal dopplers also help the healthcare provider to observe the blood flow through the umbilical cord which indicates if the blood circulation in the fetus is normal.
Detection of Abnormalities
In case of any abnormalities to the fetus such as placenta-related issues or restricted fetal growth, the pocket fetal dopplers can help indicate the problems.
Fetal doppler helps identify abnormalities in the earlier stages of pregnancy
Using the Pocket Fetal Dopplers: Limitations and Potential Risks
Despite its safety, the use of pocket fetal dopplers also comes with some limitations and potential risks. These include the following:
- The pocket fetal dopplers are not useful during the start of the gestation period as the heartbeat can only be detected at least after five to six weeks of conception. Therefore, in some cases, the pregnant women cannot hear the fetal heartbeat during home-based examination. This often leads to anxiety.
- Sometimes, the placental sounds or the maternal heart sounds can be misrepresented as a fetal heartbeat. This often leads to false reassurances. Therefore, only using a pocket fetal doppler at home during pregnancy is not enough. The best thing you can do is to visit a healthcare provider.
- Using a pocket fetal doppler can be difficult for some as the device needs to be operated based on the step-by-step usage instructions. You can also consult your healthcare provider to learn how to use the device properly.
Pocket Fetal Dopplers: Frequently Asked Questions
The following section covers some of the frequently asked questions about the use of pocket fetal dopplers;
1. Are fetal dopplers safe to use?
Yes, pocket fetal dopplers are considered safe by healthcare providers. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has advised against using the device daily.
2. When can you hear the baby’s heartbeat with a pocket fetal doppler?
The pocket fetal dopplers can detect the heartbeat after six to eight weeks of pregnancy as claimed by some of the product manufacturers. However, the case may not be the same for everyone as a feeble heart sound can be easily missed by the device.
In such cases, the to-be-mother becomes unnecessarily anxious thinking that the baby’s health is compromised. Therefore, it is recommended to use the device at home after 10 to 12 weeks of gestation period.
3. What if the pocket fetal doppler does not detect a heartbeat?
If your home-based pocket fetal doppler is not detecting a heartbeat, the best thing you can do is to contact your healthcare provider or midwife immediately. They will conduct a doppler test in the clinic or might also go for an ultrasound. It is also important not to panic as the device can sometimes give a false result either due to improper usage methods or device malfunction.
4. What if I don’t have the doppler gel?
In case of the absence of the doppler gel, some people recommend using the hand sanitizer as its low-cost substitute. However, it is best to consult your healthcare provider or midwife for a suggestion.
5. How accurate are the pocket fetal dopplers?
The pocket fetal dopplers are over-the-counter devices that do not always work. These can sometimes miss the fetal heartbeat altogether because of a bad angle or baby’s position.
Dopplers at Health Supply 770: Features and Specifications
Checking the heartbeat of the fetus during pregnancy confirms the baby’s good health and well-being. This can be done by using a pocket fetal doppler which sends sound waves into the womb and detects them once they bounce back resulting in a heartbeat sound as well as value.
When it comes to learning about the pocket fetal dopplers, it is also essential to look into some of the products that many brands manufacture. Some of these well-known brands are also available at Health Supply 770 and have been detailed below along with their features and purchase links:
Medgyn Pocket Doppler with 2MHz/3MHz Probe
Medgyn Pocket Doppler with 2MHz/3MHz Probe
US$618.88 – $864.88
Product Details
Medgyn pocket doppler is a product that is often used in OB/GYN clinics during regular examinations. These devices are also employed by midwives to hear fetal heart sounds. However, as these Medgyn pocket dopplers are available as over-the-counter products, these can also be used by the pregnant women themselves.
These Medgyn pocket dopplers are cost-effective systems that are easy to use and have a lighter weight. The built-in LCD helps visualize the number of heartbeats per minute. The fetal heart rate or FHR detection counting can be done either manually or automatically by using the system. In addition, these Medgyn pocket dopplers have interchangeable waterproof probes that come in the ranges of 2 MHz, 3 MHz, 4 MHz, 5 MHz, and 8 MHz.
Moreover, some of these Medgyn pocket doppler probes are rechargeable as well. The built-in audio recorder allows the user to listen to as well as to store the heart sounds for later reviewing. The system can be used continuously as it uses rechargeable batteries.
MedGyn Ultrasonic Table-Top Doppler
MedGyn Ultrasonic Table-Top Doppler
US$3,293.88 – $4,529.88
Product Details
MedGyn ultrasonic table-top dopplers are considered an innovative addition to the category of portable systems. These are lightweight devices (weighing around 33/4 pounds or lbs) that can be easily carried around with ease. Due to their small size, these MedGyn ultrasonic table-top dopplers can be fitted on a tabletop or another small surface in the OB/GYN clinic or home settings.
Moreover, these MedGyn ultrasonic table-top dopplers have an easy-to-read, backlit LCD that enables the user to visualize the heartbeat value with clarity. The built-in recorder of the system allows the storage of the checked heart rate values which can then be accessed at a later time. Furthermore, these MedGyn ultrasonic table-top dopplers are available in both wireless/infrared as well as wired models.
*Note: The prices of these items mentioned in the article are taken from the Health Supply 770 website. These may vary depending on the vendor.
Pocket fetal dopplers are handheld devices that are easy to use
The pocket fetal dopplers mentioned in this article, along with many other medical supplies, can be purchased from Health Supply 770, a reliable name when it comes to medical products. They have a 30-day money-back guarantee and provide your products to you in the shortest possible time. Click the link at the end of the article to check the wide range of prenatal and maternity support items.
Conclusion
Checking the baby’s heartbeat during pregnancy is essential to confirm the fetal well-being. To do so, the use of fetal doppler is necessary. These are the devices that use sound waves to inspect the heartbeat and display it on the screen. Nowadays, pocket fetal dopplers are also available as non-prescription products.
These pocket fetal dopplers are a game-changer as they can be used within homes to inspect the heartbeat. To-be-mothers like to buy these so that they can hear the baby’s heartbeat from time to time. Moreover, testing the heartbeat regularly also confirms that the baby is healthy. Although using a pocket fetal doppler can be complicated at first guidance can be taken from the healthcare staff prior to first employment.
Considering the importance of checking the baby’s heartbeat regularly, pregnant women must buy a pocket fetal doppler to use at home from time to time. For purchasing different types of pocket fetal dopplers, reliable vendors like Health Supply 770 should be approached. They ensure the provision of quality products along with satisfactory services.
References
Medtronic Medical Devices Available at Health Supply 770: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals
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