Are Home Dopplers Safe?

Hearing an unborn baby's heartbeat is an exciting and reassuring moment in pregnancy. For years that moment occurred exclusively in medical offices or hospitals, but the advent of home doppler devices to detect fetal heartbeats has changed that.

Significance

• The Food and Drug Administration has warned against over-the-counter use of home doppler devices to listen to fetal heart sounds. Since parents have no medical training, no medical benefit can be derived from the use.

Effects

• While no known risks are associated with doppler use, whether at home or in a medical setting, various medical groups such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine have stated that home use and uses of doppler for entertainment purposes is to be avoided. While risks are not known, a safe threshold has not been established either.

Prevention/Solution

• While it may not be dangerous to use home dopplers, and there is not yet any actual evidence to conclude either way there are alternatives for expectant parents eager to know their baby is doing well. Doctors recommend that pregnant women keep track of their baby's kicks or movements throughout the day. Another method is to use a simple stethoscope or even a simple toilet tube against the abdomen to listen for baby's heartbeat.