Does anybody know how hard it is to learn to use a fetoscope?

[boysmom2]

I'm assuming I couldn't use it on myself, so I'm wondering if my dh could learn to use it.   Also, there are ones for $15, and ones for $100+, anybody know if there's a huge difference in quality/ease of use?

Thanks!

[Lula's Mom]

It's not hard at all!  The hardest part is waiting til your baby is big enough to hear faintly, which IME, using one through 3 pregnancies, has been 18-20 weeks.  At 26 weeks it's now much louder, though how loud depends on the baby's position.   DH always finds it, counts the beats with his watch, and then I listen.  So sure, you can use it on yourself. 

Ours was about $20 through Amazon.com.  It works great.  I have to say, it is always a very bonding experience for my DH before the baby is born.  The baby will kick at the fetoscope, it's a fun game!

[boysmom2]

Thanks!  Waiting another few weeks would be hard, but I'm glad to know it can be done!

[treehugginhippie]

I bought mine on ebay ($15 or less including shipping). I always used it on myself. I just put pressure on it that I felt comfortable with. You'll hear your heartbeat, maybe the swish of the placenta and the fast hb of the baby. I found it at 16 weeks but that was really early.

[yellowdart]

We got that under $20 one on Amazon too, and figured it out the first night.  I think it worked around week 18 or something, but it's hard to remember.  If DH does the forehead thing, I can listen through the earphones and hear the babe.  These days I can hear the babe on my own, just by pressing the end in with my hand.

Our baby kicked the fetoscope too.