While you are thinking about purchasing this product there are some common questions that you need to get answers such as: 

What technology is used with this device? How does it work? Is it safe for my baby?

This guide will cover all your questions and will make sure that all concerns that a mother may have are answered.

What technology is used with this device? 

Fetal dopplers are using the “doppler effect” principle. This principle was first discovered by an Austrian mathematician and physicist called Christian Doppler. Christian Doppler discovered that wave energy that travels between two objects can be changed if one of the objects is moving, so the closer the range of the object the higher the pitch of the sound.

How does it work?

Fetal dopplers use the ‘‘doppler principle’’ by using the probe that is attached to the device. The probe sends ultrasound waves from the area that it is placed (lower belly) to the moving object which is the fetal heart. After the ultrasound waves reflect the heart of the fetus, the frequency of those waves changes which enables the probe to receive them and convert them into the form of sound. The sound then travels to the speaker or the earphones and it is displayed in the form of heartbeats per minute to the display screen.

Is it safe for my baby?

The device is safe for home and professional use and does not require any prescription for its usage. It is also registered on FDA and Health Canada which after various research there was no evidence for both the mother and the baby when the fetal doppler is used.

Although fetal doppler devices are safe to use and can create a unique experience of bonding with your baby, it is especially important to know that fetal doppler cannot be used with the intent to replace regular visits to the doctor responsible for your pregnancy development. 

The Ultrasound machines used by obstetricians are more reliable in detecting the heartbeat as they use probes at a higher frequency between 3-10 MHz which is why only trained professionals can operate them for examining the fetus. 

Therefore, EmbryoLove suggests that any future concerns regarding the fetus must be directed to the doctor or the midwife responsible for the development of your pregnancy.

WHAT TO DO ONCE YOU RECEIVE YOUR ORDER

1. Connect the probe with the device.
2. Insert 2 AA batteries into the fetal doppler as the device does not include batteries.
3. Switch on the device by pressing the middle button. Once the device is turned on you will see the readings (BPM, 2.5 MHz, Battery life, and sound volume on the LCD)
4. Take the Ultrasound Gel you have purchased from EmbryoLove and gently add gel on the top of the probe until the head of the probe is fully covered with gel.
5. Then place the probe to the lower abdomen (lower belly) at the points indicated in the picture below.
6. Operate in small movements until you finally hear the heart rate of your baby.
7. Relax and enjoy the magical moment of hearing the sound coming directly from your baby’s heart! 

IMPORTANCE OF USING ULTRASOUND GEL INSTEAD OF ALTERNATIVES.

Some mothers are using alternative options such as aloe gel, olive oil, a lubricant, or even a lotion which is not recommended. Using those alternatives will not allow the probe to glide and, they will reduce the effectiveness of the readings. Alternative solutions are not effective to minimize static sounds from interfering with the probe. That is why it is important to use Ultrasound gel as its primary use is to block static sounds from interfering with the probe’s readings which make the sound of the baby’s heartbeat louder and clearer.

Important Notice:

There is no reason to panic if you are not able to hear your baby’s heartbeat. Remember that the probe used on the Fetal doppler can detect sound frequencies from a 12-week fetus at which this point the heartbeat is detectable. If you are at the early stages of your pregnancy, it would be difficult for the probe to detect the heartbeat as the Fetal heart is not yet big enough so that the probe can receive a clear heartbeat sound. Attempting to hear it before this time may lead you to anxious or become impatient!

Every woman and baby are different when it comes to how early a heartbeat can be heard. If you attempt to hear the heartbeat before the recommended 12-week of pregnancy, there is a chance that you will not be able to receive the heartbeat sound which will make you worry or become impatient. Each mother and fetus are different in terms of how early or what stage a heartbeat can be heard so that is why we recommend using the Fetal doppler starting from the 12th week of pregnancy as the heartbeat is developed to the point that the sounds can be detected clearly.

Please consider that sometimes the reasons you cannot detect your baby’s heartbeat are:

• You are in the early stages of pregnancy and your baby flips in the uterus, so it changes positions.
• The size of the fetus is not big enough for the heartbeat to be detected.
• Size of the mother’s body as overweight women may need to be more patient to listen to the baby’s heartbeat.

In case you find it difficult to detect the heartbeat after trying for 1-3 minutes don’t worry, allow yourself 20 minutes and try again.