Fetal dopplers are devices that are used to listen to a baby’s heartbeat while it is in the mother’s womb. You can get an analog Doppler that just provides the sound of the heart beating, but with these you have to count the heart rate yourself. If you get a digital Doppler, it will calculate the baby’s heart rate automatically and display it on a screen. A fetal Doppler is a non-invasive way to monitor your baby while it develops. Its technology is similar to what an ultrasound uses, especially the transducer that you put on your body while listening to the baby. These fetal Dopplers are designed for home use, so they don’t give you a picture of the baby like an ultrasound does. What these are really good for is for assurance that the baby is doing well. Since the speed of the baby’s heart rate can be indicative of a problem, make sure you talk with your doctor to know what the range the heart rate should be within. Advance information about a potential problem could be invaluable in getting proper medical attention for your baby. You can get some cheap baby heart monitors to buy, but why not rent a high quality Doppler for the duration of your pregnancy? The cost is usually affordable and might be preferable to buying the unit unless you are sure you are going to have more children. One more thing, when shopping be sure to check out the megahertz of the probe. Probes that are 2 megahertz or more are generally recognized as the best at providing clear sound. As always, be sure to talk with your doctor or midwife about this before you rent or buy any equipment. He or she may have a preferred brand to look for or even some discount coupons! Visit fetal heart doppler and baby monitors for more information.