Has anyone used a stethoscope to listen to baby?

goldenB

I've been getting a bit anxious lately (thanks to PgAL brain) and wanted to see if anyone has used a stethoscope to hear the baby's heartbeat? I feel like at this stage (27weeks) I should be able to hear the baby, but I am getting a whole lot of nothing (usually just some rumblings). Granted my doppler can pick up the HB immediately, but I wanted to use the stethoscope daily in its place. I have had friends who swore up and down they were able to hear their LO's by using a stethoscope at 20wks but I have not been so lucky. I can sometimes hear gentle 'thuds' but definitely no heartbeat.

Anyone have success with it?
Most days LO is active and I can feel movement, but there are quiet days that make me a little paranoid.

Note: my doctor uses a regular stethoscope (like the one I have at home) and I am not sure what he's trying to hear. He's never used a doppler on me. 

monkeybutt61612

I got a stethoscope with my first pregnancy.  I was never actually able to figure out what I was listening to though, it just sounded like a lot of sloshing around.  

goldenB

@monkeybutt61612 "sloshing around" is the best way to describe it. Is that the amniotic fluid? I feel like it's probably picking up on my digestive system instead. Even when I feel movement and I am listening on my stethoscope it doesn't pick it up for me to hear.

monkeybutt61612

I think it's my digestive system too.  I've tried googling 'how to listen to fetus with stethoscope' before, but that wasn't helpful either

goldenB

@marbee1214 - when you were doing nursing school did they ever talk about using a stethoscope on a pregnant lady's belly? I know there are different types of stethoscopes so maybe the one DH has isn't sensitive enough to pick up a HB?

and yes, my bowels are probably in overdrive now that food has become my best friend.

goldenB

@marbee1214 My friend (who claimed she could hear baby's HB) got hers for $50 online. DH works in a medical clinic so I know his is about $300+ and that's the one I am using and no luck. 

I think I will go back to kicking counts and watching my tummy move instead of obsessing over the noises in my belly.

LittleMommaBlueHen

Are you sure it isn't a fetoscope your doctor is using?  It looks a lot like a stethoscope and can be used the same way as a doppler, but it has an extra metal piece that you use either your hand or forehead to conduct the vibrations differently.  I used one in doula training and the heartbeat is tough to pick up on even when you clearly find it because it is much softer than what you hear on a doppler.

amt0312

When I did my clinicals on labor and delivery, all the OB nurses used a certain kind of stethoscope for fetal heart tones, but I can't seem to find it. I use a Littmann Cardiology III stethoscope (pretty expensive) and can hear nearly everything except baby's heart beat. Probably just better off using a doppler. 

goldenB

@LittleMommaBlueHen - I was expecting him to use something like fetoscope at my visits, but it definitely is a regular stethoscope. Weird, right?

goldenB

amt0312 said:

When I did my clinicals on labor and delivery, all the OB nurses used a certain kind of stethoscope for fetal heart tones, but I can't seem to find it. I use a Littmann Cardiology III stethoscope (pretty expensive) and can hear nearly everything except baby's heart beat. Probably just better off using a doppler. 

@amt0312 That's the same one I have (the Littman). I will try giving it another go when baby is more active. 

ac1259

@goldenB- I've never tried it but have you tried switching your stethoscope to the bell portion instead of the like "big" side of the stethoscope? The bell can pick up different pitches so maybe it would be easier to pick up baby that way? (going to try this now)

missimone

I've tried and NP laughed when I told her at last appt. she said its near impossible to hear/distinguish baby's heartbeat that way :-S

citybeach

When I was in Australia I had to visit a doctor as I had major swelling after the plane ride (and was sent for an ultrasound on my legs to make sure all was ok). The general doctor could see how anxious I was and said he would 'try' to check for LOs HB, but advised it can be difficult (I was around 27 weeks at that time). He did manage to successfully hear baby however had to really push hard on my belly and find the right position. I have no idea what stethoscope he was using, but it should be possible.

ac1259

Yeah...I tried and couldn't hear anything but bowel sounds..maybe some movement but definitely no heartbeat:(