[Phoebe]

My midwife was able to hear my baby's hb last week at my 17 week appointment. She let me see if I could hear and I couldn't.
I found a cheap one online and I went ahead and ordered it. I'll be close to 20 weeks when I get it and I'd like to hear any tips for hearing the hb lound and clear!

Any help would be appreciated!
Amy

 

[Carolinamidwife]

The best advice I can give you is to recognize that hearing the heart through a fetoscope is more of a feeling than a sound. It's like a ticking you feel in your ear, feel for the vibration and expect it to be fairly fast. If you think you have found it count for 6 seconds and add a zero, the count should be between 140 and 160 beats per minute and then you'll know you have it. You'll need to push fairly hard and be very still with no other sounds. Don't be surprised if you can't hear anything until 20 weeks or better. Once you learn what you are looking for you'll be able to find it easier.

Good luck!

Amy

 

[Phoebe]

Thanks Amy,

That's the kind of help I was looking for. I had no idea. I would have been listening for a thump-thump.
Thanks alot. This is going to be fun!

Amy

 

[MistyD]

I don't know if I can describe this right....You know how the ear pieces form a Y, with the two tops of the Y being the ear pieces? Move the bottom part up to help hear better. So, you'll be laying down, holding one part on the tummy, and use the other hand to move the Y up to help you hear better. At least, that's how we heard it on me! Even my three year old was able to hear it, so much fun. Ah, great, now I have baby lust!! LOL

 

[pamamidwife]

I find it's easier to hear baby after 30 weeks. Babies before then are so active that it can be harder to find the back. After 30 weeks or so, once you find the baby's back, it's easier to find the heartbeat.