Very early in my pregnancy, I decided I wanted to be able to hear my baby's heartbeat whenever I felt like it. Most people would have turned to a fetal doppler - the kind used at an OB or midwife's office to take a quick listen to the baby.
| Fetal Doppler |
A fetal doppler uses ultrasound waves to amplify the baby's heartbeat so it can be heard. Sometimes this can be loud to the baby. All three of my kids have not enjoyed the experience and when they get checked they become really active and move away from it. Talia and Eli did the same thing with the continuous fetal monitoring in the hospital at their births. I knew that as much as I wanted to be able to hear my baby, I didn't want to stress him out either. Instead, I decided to go for the good ol' fashioned fetoscope.
A fetoscope is special kind of stethoscope with a longer bell that allows you to hear the baby's heartbeat, usually by about 18 weeks. I have been trying every few weeks to find it, without success. This morning, I was really able to feel his positioning (ROA) and easily found his heartbeat!!!! It is such a soothing sound, and I look forward to being able to sneak a little listen whenever I want - without disturbing him.
