Fetal Dopplers: Listen to the Miracle of Life

My wife is just entering the third trimester of her pregnancy, so I’ll take a moment to talk about a piece of technology outside of my normal routine: fetal dopplers.

This is my wife’s first pregnancy. For any woman that has had a baby, you understand how much of an emotional rollercoaster this can be.

One of my wife’s primary concerns was the health of the baby. Long before noticeable kicks, there was no way to tell how the baby was doing until the next appointment.

After one such appointment, I noticed that other than a quick weigh-in, tummy measure, and a few samples, the only tool used by the doctor was a small device used to hear the baby’s heartbeat.

fetal-dopplers

Through the magic of the Internet, I found out that these little devices are called fetal dopplers. They range from $25 to $500 (or more). My wife and I purchased a Sonoline B for around $70.

When we first purchased the fetal doppler, my wife was still in her first trimester. The baby’s heartbeat was hard to find, at first, and we even mistook my wife’s heartbeat for the baby’s.

Eventually, we finally found the baby’s heartbeat and were able to hear the miracle of life in our own home. The sound was distinct, like a horse’s gallop (much faster than my wife’s heartbeat).

This wonderful little device offered us peace of mind when we needed it most. It was also a fun and unique way to connect with our little one. Overall, it may have been the best $70 I spent during this entire pregnancy.

We don’t use the fetal doppler as much anymore. With a steady stream of kicks to remind my wife that she’s pregnant, there is less need. Still, we occasionally pull it out to remind ourselves of the wonderful little bundle growing inside of her.

Hearing that heartbeat for the first time was a memorable experience – one I am not likely to forget. This is a great tool for moms and dads-to-be and would be an even tool for Pro-Life ministries to use. Whose heart wouldn’t melt when they hear the miracle of life for the first time?

NOTE: Using a fetal doppler should not replace your normal doctor’s visit. There are many tests that still need to be run. In other words, go see your doctor!

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