Re: counting beats for a home fetal doppler ?

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Hi Angela, I am not completely clear on what you mean ..but will try and answer what I think you may be asking..

If you want to find out how many beats per minute the baby's heart rate is, count for 15 seconds then multiply by 4, or for 30 seconds and multiply by two.

Alternatively the doppler may have an electronic readout display which will show you the beats per minute.

A number around 70-80 on this is probably YOUR heart beat..the faster heart beat is the baby (between 120-160). If you are counting the beats, place your free hand on the side of your neck and this should make it clear that what you are counting is your baby..

As for where to start, start near the pubic bone, use plenty of the gel, or KY gel, and point the probe in all directions, moving along the length of the bone, then repeat a little higher. Remember it is not unusual for drs to find it difficult to hear the baby even at 13 weeks, so try to relax.

Hope this helps,

--
KAH, (Registered Nurse) mother to a son (13 months)
15w4d EDD Jan 2 2004

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• In reply to: Angela: "counting beats for a home fetal doppler ?"
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