Most women first hear their baby's heartbeat during a routine check-up that uses the Foetal Doppler early in their pregnancy. Around 12 weeks into pregnancy—the end of the first trimester—an obstetrician uses an ultrasound device known as a foetal Doppler to check for baby's heartbeat. Hearing the heartbeat for the first time is, awfully thrilling.
A Doppler foetal monitor is a hand-held ultrasound monitoring machine used to detect the foetal heartbeat for prenatal care. It uses the Doppler effect to provide an audible simulation of the heart-beat of foetal. Some Doppler models also display the heart rate in beats per minute (BPM). Use of this monitor is also known as Doppler auscultation. The Doppler foetal monitor is commonly referred to simply as a Doppler or foetal Doppler. It may be classified as a form of Doppler ultrasonography, which is although usually but not technically -graphy rather sound-generating.The foetal Doppler uses sound waves to pick up your baby's heartbeat.
How to use this device?
At first expectant mother will lie down and hold a small probe of this device, by herself or anybody else, against her belly. It's almost safe and painless.Originally intended for use by health care professionals, but now-a-days this device is becoming popular for personal use.
Why to use this monitor?
Doppler foetal monitors provide information about the foetus similar to that provided by a foetal stethoscope. One advantage of the Doppler foetal monitor over a (purely acoustic) foetal stethoscope is the electronic audio output, which allows people other than the user to hear the heartbeat. One disadvantage is the cost and the lower reliability of an electronic device.
A major advantage of being able to record and share the recording is that it can be emailed to a one’s physician to be checked if there are any concerns about the foetus's heart rate and whether or not is normal. Typically, this device works from about 12 weeks.
FDA’s restriction on at-home use
In response to increasing home usage of clinical foetal Doppler monitors, the FDA issued a formal statement recommending against at-home use.Foetal Doppler’s using 2-3GHz ultrasound are prescription devices designed and developed for use by licensed and trained medical professionals. System misuse (duration, angulation) and systems operating outside of intended range can produce thermal and non-thermal effects on foetal tissue, including the possibility for over-heating foetal tissue and introducing mechanical stress on the foetus due to cavitation, radiation force, and acoustic streaming.
Some companies sell Doppler monitors for use at home. The FDA suggests that to avoid them. Although Doppler monitors are generally safe, but using them too much or without medical supervision, could pose risks to foetus.
Conclusion
To reassure one’s self that all is well in between her scheduled gynecologists’ appointments, she may be tempted to purchase one of the many home Doppler devices currently on the market. While there is no evidence that these devices are likely to harm mother or her baby, though there are some controversies over whether being able to check for a heartbeat on a regular basis without professional supervision is a good idea.
Comments
Post a Comment