when can you hear baby heartbeat with doppler?

Fetal Doppler

In this Article

What Is a Fetal Doppler? How Early Will a Fetal Doppler Test Work? How the Fetal Doppler Test Is Done Fetal Doppler Test Results How Often Are Fetal Doppler Tests Done? Difference Between Fetal Doppler and Ultrasound

What Is a Fetal Doppler?

A fetal Doppler is a test that uses sound waves to check your baby | s heartbeat. It | s a type of ultrasound that uses a handheld device to detect changes in movement that are translated as sound.

How Early Will a Fetal Doppler Test Work?

Most women first hear their baby's heartbeat during a routine checkup that uses the fetal Doppler. Many ultrasound machines also allow the heartbeat to be heard even before it can be heard with a Doppler. Most women now get an ultrasound before 12 weeks.

A fetal Doppler test normally takes place during your second trimester (weeks 13 to 28 of pregnancy). Some manufacturers of at-home fetal Dopplers say you may be able to hear your baby | s heartbeat as early as 8-12 weeks of pregnancy. But professional sonographers say that they wouldn | t try to listen to a baby | s heartbeat before 13 weeks because your womb is in your pelvis during the first trimester and so the device won | t work correctly. Some at-home devices say not to use it before 16 weeks.

If you | re trying to hear your baby | s heartbeat at home, it may be best to first wait for your doctor to check it during one of your prenatal checkups. This is especially true if you | ve been pregnant for less than 12 weeks, to avoid undue concern. It | s a good idea to talk to your doctor first before buying an at home fetal Doppler. They can talk to you about the benefits and risks involved with using these devices.