So I orded a doppler, which is a fetal heart monitor, so I can listen to the baby’s heart whenever I want. It arrived this morning and after filling my bladder sufficiently, I gave it a whirl. The baby’s heartbeat is a beautiful sound! It’s around 150 bpm, and I got the idea to have someone (Dan or my mom) hold the device in place for me while I play a tune along with the heartbeat on a whistle! My mom is visiting, as we are going off to do a crafts show today and this weekend, and she said I shouldn’t use the doppler too much (long enough to play a tune), because the waves make the baby uncomfortable. Anyone know anything about this? I’d love to play a tune in time with my baby!
What waves are you referring to? The waves of the monitoring device or the waves from your whistle?
If you are talking about the waves from the whistle I have seen MANY documented cases (can’t cite them, sorry) where fetal resonse to music is most positive. I would not worry about that too much. That is unless you are playing one of those ear splitting high E’s or G’s!!! There are lots of more detrimental things you can do to your baby than playing lovely sweet music to it.
I know! The first time I heard it was during the first sonogram and it was great. Of course, SEEing the fetus dancing made me cry. But each time I go to the doctor’s office, I get to hear the heartbeat. I read about dopplers-at-home, and I ordered the cheapest one. It works (but only with a full bladder). I don’t want to hurt the baby with too many sound waves, but wow, it’s cool.
On December 3rd, I am going in for a (19 weeks) 3-D sonogram! Can’t wait.
I do not know much about these monitors and I am confused. Normally, when monitoring for sound, you are in a passive state, ie just listening. Are you saying that this device must send out a signal to be able to “hear”? I know that is the case with sonograms to be able to “see”.
I think I would do a internet search on the effects of ultrasound waves on fetuses. Such home devices weren’t available (I don’t think) 11-17 years ago when I was feeling my babies having in utero hiccups, but I think I would have just worried about the unneeded exposure.
But search, 'cause it might be fine.
Meanwhile, the baby will come to love and feel comforted by the sound of any nice music you make repeatedly.
After you’ve satisfied yourself that there’s no known negative effect on the fetus, I would suggest that you just do what you would probably do anyway without my having said anything. Which is, use your own intuition and feelings to decide if you think there’s anything about it that’s upsetting to the fetus. Mother knows best.
You should probably ask your doctor about this one. My impression was that my kids didn’t like the doppler too much when it was used in the office, or the ultrasound either, for that matter. Don’t know if it was the pressure or the sound, though.
Personally, I think it’s a lot better to get to know your child by his/her behavior in utero than by all the techno devices (although ultrasound photos are cool, I admit!). Pay close attention to how the baby reacts to things…it will be surprisingly close to the reactions after birth. Our daughter is very outgoing and was that way in utero too, she’d play by pushing on my hand with her foot. Our son is much more sensitive and tends to pull away from unfamiliar things, and he would always pull away when I’d try to play with him in utero, and he would startle easily as well to loud noises before birth as well as after. He’s still very sensitive to new things and loud noises!
Very true what Robin said. I had 4 different babies w/4 different in utero behavior patterns. A couple of them liked that push against my hand game too. And the one that wiggled the most is…surprise…ADD.
I loved that baby in the oven time. Enjoy it to the max!
Jessie, I think that is a really cool idea. I’m sure your baby will be able to hear the music and undoubtably be able to sense that it is in rythym with the heart. You’d have to think that the baby would absorb that on a subconcious level now and be able to tap into it during childhood while learning music. I wish I could tell you if it’s safe or not but I never even heard of a doppler until I read your post.
No one has ever been able to show any detriment at all from ultrasound. I think there have been some weird anecdotes of babies “appearing” to respond to ultrasound probes, but remember that you kind of have to push the 2D probes on the belly to get an image so maybe they’re just trying to get out of the way.
I wouldn’t worry at all about Doppler-ing your baby’s heart tones!
Just a quick reminder that Stuart actually knows something of what he’s talking about, because he is actually a doctor (although an anesthesiologist, not an obstetrician, right?). He probably knows more about this than most of us…
And, I just asked my pregnant doctor wife who said, “There are lots of studies that indicate no risk at all to the baby.” She had 15 ultrasounds with our first baby… comes from knowing the ultrasound tech She rolled her eyes when I asked if a listening device could be a problem. So I wouldn’t worry too much about it
Thanks, everyone! The really is amazing about all the different behavior in utero being the same as behavior after birth. It is too early to understand this one’s beahvior.
I called the doppler company (SweetBeats) and they said that a couple of hours everyday (a time they came up with) might be excessive and would qualify as overuse, but no ill effects have ever been reported. I think we will try a tune or two. Perhaps if I do it everyday for the next 5 months, the baby will love the tune after birth.
There are lots of more detrimental things you can do to your baby than playing lovely sweet music to it.
She rolled her eyes when I asked if a listening device could be a problem. So I wouldn’t worry too much about it