The PregnaSound guide
How to hear your baby's heartbeat
Everything we wish someone had told us: where to start, what each sound means, and what to do when bump is playing hide and seek. Ten calm minutes, a little gel, and a lot of patience.
A home doppler is for listening and bonding, not for checking that your baby is well. If you're ever worried, call your midwife.
A little prep goes a long way
Before you start
From about 16 weeks
Some people catch it at 12 weeks, but most find it far easier from 16. Earlier than that, be patient with yourself (and bump).
Batteries in
Pop them in and check the battery icon on the screen. Low batteries make everything sound fainter.
Gel at the ready
Gel is not optional. Without it, the probe can't hear through your skin and you'll get crackles instead of a heartbeat.
Somewhere quiet
Telly off, phone on silent, ten calm minutes. A bit of quiet makes the gallop much easier to pick out.
Easy as one, two, hello
Step by step
Read it through once before you start. Then take it slowly: there's no rush.
- 1
Switch on
Press the power button and wait for the screen to light up. Set the volume about halfway: you can turn it up once you've found something.
- 2
Get comfy
Lie back on the sofa or bed with a pillow under your head, top pulled up and waistband folded down a little. Relax your tummy muscles.
Tip: Before 16 weeks, a fuller bladder can gently lift your womb and make it easier to find.
- 3
Add plenty of gel
Squeeze a coin-sized blob onto the probe's tip, or straight onto your bump where you're starting. More is better than less.
- 4
Start in the right spot
Where you start depends on how far along you are. Early on, it's very low, just above your pubic bone. Use the bump map below to find your spot.
Open the bump map - 5
Go slow, then slower
Hold the probe flat on your skin, then tilt and rock it slowly, sweeping a few degrees at a time. Move it about a centimetre every few seconds. Rushing is the number one reason people miss it.
Tip: Early on, angle the probe down towards your pelvis, like a torch shining behind your pubic bone.
- 6
Listen for the gallop
Your baby's heartbeat is fast, like a tiny horse galloping, and much quicker than your own pulse. Once you hear it, hold still and let the screen settle on a number.
Your bump, your starting spot
Where to start
Your womb grows up and out week by week, so the best place to start moves too. Slide to your week.
Weeks 16–20: start here
Low and central
Start a couple of finger-widths above your pubic bone, in the middle. Sweep slowly left and right from there, angling down a little.
A rough guide only. Every bump, baby and placenta is different, so use it as a starting point and sweep around it.
Press play and have a listen
What am I hearing?
A doppler picks up all sorts of sounds. Learn them here first, and you'll know baby's gallop the moment you hear it.
Baby's heartbeat
Usually 110–160 bpm
Sounds like: A fast, galloping whoosh-whoosh. Like a tiny horse running, or a washing machine on a quick spin.
How to tell: It's roughly twice as fast as your pulse. Once you've found it, it'll stay steady while you hold still.
This is the one you're listening for
Your own pulse
Usually 60–100 bpm
Sounds like: A slower, deeper thump or whoosh.
How to tell: Feel your pulse at your wrist while you listen. If the sound keeps time with it, it's you. Move the probe and keep going.
The placenta
Same speed as your pulse
Sounds like: A windy, rushing whoosh, like wind through trees, in time with your heartbeat.
How to tell: It's blood flowing to the placenta. Lovely to hear, but keep moving: baby is often close by.
Baby moving
No rhythm
Sounds like: Sudden thumps, bumps and crackles.
How to tell: That's a kick or a wriggle. Wait for baby to settle and the heartbeat usually comes back.
Tummy gurgles
No rhythm
Sounds like: Bubbly, watery blips and pops.
How to tell: Just your digestion. Totally normal, and a sign to keep sweeping.
These are recreations to help you tell the sounds apart. Real ones vary from bump to bump.
Totally normal, promise
Can't find it?
Most people don't find it on the first try. Here's what usually helps.
I can't find it at all
This is really common, especially before 20 weeks. Your baby is tiny and moves a lot, and where the placenta sits can muffle the sound. Not finding the heartbeat with a home doppler does not mean something is wrong. Try again another day.
I only hear crackling
Add more gel. Crackling almost always means there isn't enough gel between the probe and your skin.
The number on the screen jumps around
The screen works it out from what it hears, so it can wander while you're moving, or pick up your own pulse instead. Trust your ears: a fast gallop is baby. Hold still and give the number a few seconds to settle.
I found it once but can't find it again
Baby has probably moved. Start back in your spot and sweep slowly in small circles around it.
It's much louder or quieter than last time
That's normal. It changes with baby's position, how much gel you're using, the probe's angle and the volume setting.
My placenta is at the front
An anterior placenta (at the front) can cushion the sound. You'll often hear its whoosh first. Try further out to the sides, and be extra patient.
A sound to keep forever
Record it & share it
- 1Find the heartbeat first and hold the probe still.
- 2Open your phone's voice recorder and hold the phone a few centimetres from the speaker.
- 3Turn the volume up to a comfortable level, stay quiet and record for 20 to 30 seconds.
- 4Save it, name it (week 20, our first listen!) and send it to the people you love.
Please read: stay safe
- Your doppler is for listening and bonding. It can't tell you that your baby is well, and it's not a replacement for your antenatal appointments.
- Worried, or baby moving less than usual? Call your midwife or maternity unit straight away, day or night. Don't wait, and don't use the doppler to decide, even if you've just heard a heartbeat.
- Not finding it isn't a sign something is wrong. Position, the placenta and timing all play a part. If you're anxious, call your midwife rather than searching for longer.
- Keep it short and sweet. A few minutes at a time is plenty. Follow the instructions in the box, and ask your midwife if you have any questions.
So it's ready for next time
Looking after it
- 1Wipe the gel off the probe and your skin with a soft tissue.
- 2Clean the probe with a soft, slightly damp cloth. Never put it under a tap or in water.
- 3Switch off, wrap the cable loosely and store it in its box.
- 4Taking a long break? Take the batteries out.
Ready when you are
Say hello
Everything in this guide works with the PregnaSound Heartbeat Doppler, and there's Glide Gel in the box.