How to Choose the Best Fetal Heart Doppler Company
For the last half century, ultrasound has given us the incredible opportunity to peer inside the womb and begin the bond between mother and child long before the delivery date draws near. Ultrasound using doppler-based technology has been in use for several decades for many reasons, not just for monitoring pregnancy, but also to aid doctors surgeons during surgery and medical examinations.
Today it’s possible to either buy or rent a fetal heart monitor using doppler technology to hear your baby’s heartbeat as early as the end of the first trimester of pregnancy. But with so many to choose from, how are expectant parents supposed to choose from all the many models and types available?
As a consumer, you’ll of course want to make sure you shop around for the best deals anytime you purchase anything, and always see to it that you get the best product and value for your money. And as a parent, you’ll most definitely want to be absolutely certain that anything you purchase in regards to your baby meets your high standards and is crafted with the utmost quality in mind.
First, any reputable, or responsible company or vendor will require a doctor’s prescription before selling any type of fetal heart doppler monitor. In fact, by law, there are penalties for those using a medical device without a prescription, as well as for the company who sold or rented the equipment.
In the U.S., the FDA also regulates the use of ultrasound and has approved the technology for in-home use in the form of fetal dopplers. Guidelines in place recommend using monitors in moderation, which is usually no more than two to three times per week, with each session lasting an average of 7 to 10 minutes. Always make sure that any monitor you rent or purchase has been approved by the FDA before using.
Don’t make the common mistake of confusing fetal heart dopplers with ordinary microphones, which also amplify all of the sounds inside, as well as outside your body, in addition to the baby’s heartbeat. Check to see that the monitor you are using or buying is labeled as a medical-grade baby doppler that utilizes ultrasound technology to avoid confusion with regular microphones.
Doppler-based monitors are also far more precise than a microphone could ever be, and have only been recently available for use outside the doctor’s office. Some monitors, such as those made by Baby Doppler include a noise reduction feature to ensure the most accurate results. BabyBeat doppler monitors also contain a noise reduction feature to reduce static and produce clearer sounds, which also include speakers in the home theater system. Some other models come with recorders to capture the sounds for later playback, or for saving to a CD, or even sending via email.
Different doppler monitors feature varying options and capabilities to choose from. The two basic types of monitors can be summed up as either digital or regular, with the digital also featuring a display that quickly shows you the number of heartbeats per minute, in addition to the audio output. Regular fetal heart doppler monitors won’t provide the digital display of course, but will still allow you to hear the unborn baby’s heartbeat. Choosing between the two is a matter of personal preference, except in the case of multiples where a regular monitor won’t be able to distinguish the sounds of one baby to the next.
When shopping online for a fetal heart doppler monitor, inquire as to the company’s shipping and handling charges, as well as their return policies. Some manufacturers ship their equipment with compatible ultrasound gel, or free batteries, as well as the essential instruction manual.
When choosing between fetal heart dopplers, it’s helpful to know that the probes that come with the monitor are either 2 or 3 MHz, with the former being the better choice for overweight women, or for those who are in the earliest weeks of their pregnancy.
When shopping for fetal heart monitors, price is yet another factor to take into consideration. Many couples choose to rent monitors, while others who are definitely planning multiple pregnancies prefer to purchase their own. Rental prices will vary by company, although most range anywhere from $30 to $50 per month.
There are also monitors that are equally as inexpensive that one can purchase. The BeBe Sounds Prenatal Listener, for example is a monitor that costs as little as $25, while they also have higher end models priced up to $200. Although the peace of mind of mind that comes with using a fetal heart monitor is one that can’t be measured monetarily.