PSA Fetal Doppler App

ElTrain5 · January 2014

So, I just downloaded an iPhone app that claims to turn your phone's microphone into a "Doppler" to hear your baby's heartbeat. I figured it was a scam, and it's not even supposed to work till third tri, but I went ahead and got it....and heard a beautiful little beat!! Also saw a tiny little sinus rhythm on the screen, beating away! You can listen/see your own as well so you can tell the difference. It isn't free, I think it was 4.99. But...it's awesome. I've been doing it all night no guarantees though. Don't hate me if it doesn't work for you yet . It's called "MyBabyBeat". Eta: it took a little bit, and I only got a solid beat for like 3-5 seconds at a time. So be patient! Also, it was a lot softer sounding then when I heard it at my midwife's so don't expect it to be crystal clear...look for the sinus pattern (big hump, little hump) you can look at your own to get an idea of that, your babies will be tiny and closer together.

Also...and this is important...do NOT let this worry you if you don't get LO's heartbeat. It seems to work for about 1/10 ppl so far, and it is a NOVELTY, not a medical device, so there is ZERO need to panic if you don't hear anything. It's just for funsies

bebemac · January 2014

My brain just went into high gear trying to figure out the logistics of how it works. Any ideas?

melaneejo · January 2014

Downloading it right now!

nunzchucks · January 2014

I'm so jealous you heard something! We had it for DD, but it never worked for me

ElTrain5 · January 2014

bebemac said:
My brain just went into high gear trying to figure out the logistics of how it works. Any ideas?

All I know is you hold the microphone part of the phone right up to your belly. So like a really low frequency ultrasound I guess?

ElTrain5 · January 2014

If you can't hear your own there's definitely something going on with the app/your phone. Don't worry. Did you turn on airplane mode?

ElTrain5 · January 2014

@melaneejo any luck?

melaneejo · January 2014

@eltrain5
It didn't work yet but I need to take my phone case off and try again! This is lame but Super Fun Night is on and I have to wait til it's over.

mrs_drc_rn · January 2014

I can definitely pick up mine and there was a brief moment where I'm pretty sure I heard Junior's! I'm not going to put this thing down now.

ElTrain5 · January 2014

Yay!! I'm glad I'm not the only one it worked for

SarahSmile01 · January 2014

Oh my god!!! Thank you for sharing this! Just purchased the app and found the baby's heartbeat. It was awesome. It was only about a 7 second stretch- but so amazing to hear! You made my night!!!

Gigi8212 · January 2014

LilNunz1 said:
I'm so jealous you heard something! We had it for DD, but it never worked for me

This never worked with my dd either but I am tempted to try again. Maybe the app has improved since then!

atsky · January 2014

I was skeptical about this app because I have read about it before and it was all pretty negative reviews. But your post made me curious about it again and I bought it to give it a try.

I easily heard my own heartbeat loud and clear. And I have been able to find the baby's heartbeat, though each time it takes me a while to find the right spot. But once I find it, there is no mistaking the baby's heartbeat.

My 5 yr old and husband thought it was so neat when I let them try it. I can see that it will be hard to put the phone down now. :-)

lclark79 · January 2014

Just bought it and it's pretty cool.

arekeweg · January 2014

Thanks for sharing this! I just downloaded and used it. I had to position it to the right side of my belly to get a good recording but wow! So excited!

ElTrain5 · January 2014

If you have the phone down below your belly button it's probably not yours. I can only pick up mine right by my chest. Since it's not that sensitive I wouldn't hang your hat on any particular rate it's giving you, so it may actually be faster. If it's tiny it's probably baby. Can u hold it up to your chest to compare?

wtfisup · January 2014

Can someone post an image of what the visual looks like with baby's HB?

wtfisup · January 2014

Why does it sound like someone's slamming a door in my uterus?

ElTrain5 · January 2014

Here is a visual of LOs heartbeat.

ElTrain5 · January 2014

And here is my own for comparison

ElTrain5 · January 2014

Also, I couldn't get anything today either. I tried for like an hour. Don't let it worry you, LO is probably just sleeping and drifted towards your backside, making it harder to pick up. The app says it doesn't work until 30 weeks, so it's really a fluke if we hear anything at all.

ElTrain5 · January 2014

If you're not getting a good visual, jut close your eyes and listen for a little "chugga chugga" sound. When I hear it it comes and goes really fast. I typically get 1-3 second if I'm lucky.

bebemac · January 2014

@ElTrain5 I realized how lame I am when I tried to click the play button on your screenshots. Ha! :-\"

wtfisup · January 2014

I think I have dumb ears.

ElTrain5 · January 2014

@wtfisup I have the best luck going just under the bump...like by where it kind of "creases". Alternate sides and middle. Just hold it in place for 20-30 seconds each time. Most times I only get 3-4 "chuggas" in a row. Holding my breath for a few seconds helps to.

hjl050308 · January 2014

@bebemac, I did the same thing. Haha

bebemac · January 2014

@hjl050308 Great minds think alike!

ElTrain5 · January 2014

Heres a link to a shorter clip. The visual is a little all over the place but you can hear the sound.

https://mybabysbeat.com/MobileShare/video.php?id=88yf9eih4s0_21jkqhua4_8l5iss93d34_a9z89m

kittenslove · January 2014

I bought it. I can find me, but not baby. Not surprised, the doctor has never been able to use a doppler (always end p switching to an ultrasound) and even the us tech today had a hard time keeping on the screen for a reading today (little one loves to flip). Can't wait to use in the upcoming weeks though!