What not to do when you are using a doppler device

Using a Doppler device is generally a very simple process. Chances of making a mistake are very low because the pitfalls involved are not that many in themselves. However, there are certain few mistakes that people make and when they do, the reading they get is usually poor or inaccurate. For instance, if you use the device in the wrong way, you may not be able to hear the heartbeat of your child. Anyway, no matter how good you are at using a Doppler, you are advised to always seek immediate medical help if you suspect that something may be wrong with your pregnancy. The results of a baby heartbeat monitor should not be all that you depend on because it could cost you your pregnancy.

Now, let us take a look at some of the mistakes that people commonly make when they are using a doppler device to monitor the heartbeat of their unborn babies

People tend to press too heard

It is almost automatic to be tempted to press the device too hard against your belly when you aren’t getting the heartbeat of your baby. When you aren’t able to get a heartbeat, it is because you haven’t placed the device at the right angle or tilt against your belly. As such, you should change the positioning of the device if you can’t hear a heartbeat instead of pressing too hard. What pressing too hard does is that it makes it even harder to detect the heartbeat of your child.

Always move the device gently across your belly in rocking motion. The amount of force you apply should be minimal and when you place the device at the right angle, you should be able to hear the extraordinary sound of your baby’s heartbeat.

People get tempted to rub the gel all over

The purpose of the ultrasound gel is usually to improve connectivity and to aid the transmission of sound. This fact alone often tempts people to lather the gel all over their bellies in an attempt to get a better reading of their baby’s heartbeat. However, I am here to advise you against doing that because what that does is only to make the process not to work. When you lather the gel all over your belly, you also risk introducing air bubbles into it and that can’t be good. Air bubbles usually create static, which can distort the reading or even make it impossible to detect a heartbeat.

Don’t try to use it standing up

Are you tempted to monitor your baby using a Doppler device while standing up? Well, that is a very bad idea and may end up frustrating you for nothing. In order for a Doppler to work, you need to assume a position that brings your fetus closer to the surface of your belly and the best way to do that is to get in a reclining position. This way, the Doppler is able to pick up the sound of your baby’s heartbeat more easily.