What is a fetal Doppler?

The Doppler fetal monitor was invented by Dr. Edward H. Hon in 1958. It was originally designed for use by medical personnel, but it is now becoming more popular for personal use with many people taking advantage of fetal Doppler rental. The Doppler fetal heart rate monitor is a hand-held device that allows the mother-to-be to hear a simulation of her unborn baby’s heart beat.

The fetal Doppler uses ultrasound technology to detect the heart beat of the fetus and, with the Doppler Effect, produces an audible heart beat simulation. This can be very reassuring for a concerned soon-to-be parent because it shows them that all is well with their unborn child. The fetal monitor is able to provide the same information as a doctor’s stethoscope, with the added advantage of being able to broadcast the heart beat audibly. Some models allow the beats per minute to be displayed on an LCD screen.

Who needs to use a fetal Doppler?

A fetal Doppler is very expensive and this is why fetal Doppler rental has become popular. Initially, they were made available to pregnant women who were at risk of premature birth, so that they could monitor their baby at home. These days, many pregnant women are concerned about the health and welfare of their unborn baby, and this has lead to an increased demand for fetal Dopplers. There are also those who are just interested in listening to their baby’s heart beat, and are comforted by hearing it, so they want to have access to the technology as well.

How do I rent a fetal Doppler?

Simply follow these step-by-step instructions:

1.   Dopplers are classified as a medical device and so you need a doctor’s prescription to rent one. There are severe penalties for renting a fetal Doppler without this prescription, for both the rental company and yourself.

2.   Find where to rent a Doppler. There are numerous websites online that offer them to rent or you might find your local pharmacy has them. Never rent from anyone who does not comply with the FDA regulations.

3.   Decide what type of fetal Doppler you want to rent. The rentals will cost you between $25 and $50 per month, depending on the sensitivity of the machine and the extra functions it has. Some of the more expensive models are able to detect a baby heart beat as early as 8 weeks into the pregnancy, or even record the heartbeat.

4.  You may be offered rental insurance and you should consider this. The machines are very expensive and if you damage or lose the Doppler you will be liable for replacement. The insurance is quite inexpensive - usually about $30 for the term of the rental agreement, so it is good value.

5.   If you rent online, there will be a shipping cost and there will be several options, including regular or overnight.

6.   After your baby is born, life will become extremely busy, so don’t forget to return the fetal Doppler to the rental company. To help you, some companies provide you with a return shipping label and often return shipping is free. Keep the original packaging to make it easier; return the machine in the same packaging.

Fetal Doppler Monitors are perfectly safe to use in your home, and will not cause any harm to either mother or baby.