what am i hearing on my fetal doppler?
Wednesday, September 30th, 2009 at
1:14 pm
hi, im 22 weeks pregnant and i received my fetal doppler today, iv used it 3 times already but im very confused as to what im hearing.
i have heard my own heartbeat but when it comes to hearing the baby’s h/b it does not stay steady, for e.g for a few seconds it displays 128, 129 and then it goes blank and again displays 160, 162. i even got a display of 240 which stayed steady for about 2-3 seconds.
is this the baby’s heart rate that im hearing or could it be interference from my digestive system or something as im really confused.
thank you in advance
Filed under: Fetal Doppler FAQs
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I can’t really help you too much but my baby’s heartbeat is around 160. Sometimes your baby is moving around that fast that you may only be able to pick the heartbeat up for a few seconds in one spot. You may also be picking up the wooshing sounds of the placenta or kicks and your own heartbeat! It sounds so much like a very fast beating drum.
Try low down near your pubic hair line and steadily come up. I am 20 weeks and i usually always pick the heartbeat up about 1 1/2 inches in the centre above my pubic hairline.
240? That does not seem right at all. When I had my babies heart rate monitored on ultrasound he told me it was picking up my breathing and that when he started to stay very still. So maybe the doppler is also picking up your breathing, kinda like when you use a stethoscope you can hear the breathing. I am not sure though, its just a guess. I am getting a doppler too, I am 10 weeks and I will be getting one this week. I cant wait to hear my little ones heart beat.
take it to the next midwife appointment and ask her to show you how to use it, thats what i did because its hard to explain and its easier to be shown
I’m renting one as well, so I know exactly what you’re talking about.
What you’re seeing/hearing is the doppler effect, so to speak. The waves bounce off of the baby, but also everything else. Hearing the heart in the 120s is probably the most accurate, I’m only 19 weeks.
These harmless waves bounce off of everything inside of you and you’re going to hear weird things, get goofy readings and at some point think there is cause for concern. Don’t worry. The baby’s heartbeat is so hard to get a steady read from at this point.
The babies heart rate will go up and down, it will rise when the baby moves and slow down again when the baby is still. I think 240 is a bit high tho so maybe get it checked by your midwife if youve got an appointment soon.
it could be the blood going thru your placenta, i borrowed my sis in laws when i was expecting my 2nd, i thought it was babys heartbeat but turned out to be the placenta!