Baby Heartbeat Monitors

So, you're about to experience the miracle of new birth, or know someone that is.  Well, first I suppose congratulations are in order.  Now, let's talk about some specific pre-natal stuff you need to know, specifically, what the benefits to using a pre-natal heart monitor (often called a baby heartbeat monitor) are.

What is a pre-natal heart monitor?  This is a device that allows you to listen to your baby's heartbeat while still in the womb. It's reassuring to know that your baby is doing well, and that the heartbeat is strong. If you learn what the heartbeat should sound like, you can let your doctor know early if the heartbeat doesn't sound right, or if there is an anomaly. Sometimes, the pre-natal monitor will even have an interface for your telephone so the doctor can hear the baby's heartbeat first hand.

Another feature that many pre-natal monitors offer is the ability to record the heartbeat, either to your computer or sometimes to your iPod or other devices. The most common use for this feature is send your baby's heartbeat to your friends and family, but can also be used to listen more carefully for anomalies.

The embryonic heart begins beating around the fifth week of pregnancy, but it will be too small to hear, or even see in most cases on an ultrasound. It's possible to see it on an ultrasound, as early as four weeks, and will be seen as a flickering in the chest, but in most cases you just won't see or hear it yet.

Around nine or ten weeks you'll be able to hear the heartbeat at your doctor's office, using a Doppler instrument. This is similar to the pre-natal monitors that you can get at home, but more powerful, using sound waves that bounce off the heart to give you the heartbeat's sound. Sometimes you can't hear the heartbeat this early. It depends on the position of the uterus, how heavy you are, and whether the instrument is placed at the correct angle.

However, by the 12th week you'll be able to hear the heartbeat at your pre-natal appointments for sure, with the amplification provided by the instrument your OB-GYN uses. To measure the heart rate, either count for a full minute or count for fifteen seconds and multiply the heartbeats by four. Your practitioner will know what the baby's heartbeat should sound like and may not even count unless it doesn't sound normal. It is common for the Doppler instrument to pick up the mother's heartbeat instead of the fetus' and your practitioner will be able to tell which is which. The mother's heart rate should be under 100, and that baby's will be over 120.

At about 20 weeks you'll be able to hear the baby's heartbeat without the Doppler amplification.  This means that you can use the home pre-natal heart monitors to listen to your baby's heartbeat, or sometimes an ordinary stethoscope, if you use the bell side.  If you feel around the uterus the firm side will generally be the baby's back, and this is often the best place to hear the heartbeat with a home monitor.

Something to keep in mind is that if you are carrying twins it will be extremely difficult for you to be able to listen to both heartbeats. In fact, sometimes even your doctor cannot ensure that they are hearing both heartbeats with the amplified Doppler and may have to do an ultrasound to make sure that both baby's hearts are visible and beating.

The Doppler instruments for home use can run as much as $400 to $750 dollars if you buy them brand new, but places like online auction sites can get you a home fetal heartbeat monitor for as little as $50 or $100 bucks if you want to go that route.

Keep in mind, that listening to your baby's heartbeat at home with a home fetal heartbeat monitoring device cannot match the precision and trained ear of your Ob-Gyn and that you may often hear things that sound anomalous or you may not be able to hear the baby's heart beat at all.  This is no cause for panic because 99.9 percent of the time this is from human error, and your baby is fine. Other things you may hear while listening to your heart beat is the sound of nutrients entering the placenta, the sound of your baby kicking (sounds like a soft thud) and your own heartbeat. You may also hear your baby's hiccups.

Some of the features that you may want to look for if you are getting a home fetal monitoring device are:

• A mode to listen in both real time and a mode to average the baby's heartbeats out over a certain period (say a minute)
• Easy to find replacement batteries such as AA or AAA.
• Headphone jack and sometimes included headphones
• Attachment to plug your heart monitor into various devices to record such as your computer, your iPod or other Mp3 device, or sometimes your telephone.
• LCD screen with a backlight
• Included Gel
• Included Instruction booklet
• Warranty (especially for used items)

Listening to your baby's heartbeat can be a rewarding and even spiritual experience and one to be shared by family and friends, and a fetal heart monitor will give you hours of joy of listening to your baby's heartbeat. Keep in mind however, that feeling the movements of your baby will give you the best indication of whether or not your baby is healthy and moving around. Do not rely on the fetal heart monitor to give you the best indication of whether or not your baby is healthy.  This is best done by monitoring the movements your baby makes while in the womb, regular visits to your Ob-Gyn and supplemented by fetal heart monitoring devices at home.

Corometrics 118 Fetal Heart Monitor Cardiotocograph US $90.00 Click Here For Full Details

3mhz New Portable Professional Sonotrax B US $120.00 Click Here For Full Details

3mhz Fetal Doppler Baby Heart Monitor2 Gel US $69.99 Click Here For Full Details

Corometrics Trimline Tocotransducer Model 2260 US $125.00 Click Here For Full Details

Philips Toco M1355a US $125.00 Click Here For Full Details

Fetal Doppler Ultrascope US $65.00 Click Here For Full Details

Medasonics Ultrasound Stethoscope Fetal Doppler Fp3b D US $79.99 Click Here For Full Details

More Baby Heartbeat Monitors are avaliable in our store

Baby Heartbeat Monitor is a post from: More About Pregnancy

A good amount of carbohydrates are also essential in a pregnancy diet. Absence of sufficient starch in the pre natal stage, could lead to the formation of ketone bodies in the blood which are harmful to the fetal brain. For the mother, it can also cause constipation since they provide for the additional iron requirements of the baby.

Fruits are a rich and easy source of vitamins for both the mother and the child. The only slight danger of making way to obesity, especially high risk women who are already over weight or suffer from hypotension and diabetes.

Usually, a good and regulated carbohydrate diet would include fruits, whole wheat and grains with minimal rice, pasta and white flour. A high carb diet usually works better when distributed over a greater number of meals. While salads, nuts and juices are good, processed meat should be avoided at all costs. Lean meat only contains empty calories and negligible nutrients. High levels of salt, spices and sauces and caffeine are a strict no-no. The baby’s health is a direct reflection of the quality of diet of the mother, so optimum care should be taken.

Along with the diet, what is also important is being physically, emotionally and mentally prepared to undergo this crucial period of pregnancy. It is at this time that the love and support of the father and immediate family comes extremely handy as well. While there are numerous significant changes that go on continuously in the body, good pre and postnatal health care is very important for a hassle free birth and health of the mother.

A doctor consultation and intervention in this regard is usually beneficial, as one might tend to ignore facts that could be critical. It is important that the mother to be consults a licensed medical practitioner to determine what diet or course of changes would be most beneficial.

The pregnancy diet is a post from: More About Pregnancy

Take a look at the these famous pregnant women, and remember to be proud of your pregnant belly!

Pregnant Belly is a post from: More About Pregnancy

Persuading your child to sleep through, it is unlikely to happen immediately; you should prioritize your arrangements tallow you to make up for some of those lost hours. Sleep deprivation can be serious problem. Make it clear to family and friends that you would welcome any help they care to offer. Getting your baby to sleep establishing a routine may sound like old-fashioned "Nanny Talk", but it will help him to know what to expect and what is expected of him. Discourage friends from calling in the early evening and avoid going out at night with the baby. Instead, resign yourself to a few months of routine and eventually you will feel energetic enough to go out while babysitter minds you're sleeping child.

Provide a drink or feed, a warm bath, dim lights and a look at his picture books or a few quiet songs. Learn to put your baby down when he is sleepy and relaxed but not already asleep. If he is always putdown when asleep, he'll wake and wonder where you are. Ensure that his room is warm -- not hot -- and that it is dark enough but not pitch black. Keep cottons to a minimum but put in a

Mobile or light box for him to fix his eyes on. For a baby who won't settle down, you can try the "check and leave" Routine, which may mean putting up with a lot of screaming. You will need cooperation from your partner and family, and it helps to make a chart to record your baby's sleep progress. To ensure success, you must be firmly committed. Begin when you have a few clear weeks in which you can keep to a routine and not be disturbed by visitors who may find a

Screaming child upsetting. The success rate for parents using this tactic is  high -- and before your resolve weakens, remember that long-term disturbed sleep patterns can inhibit your child's growth and development, as well as harm your health.

When your baby screams after he has-been put down at bedtime, go to him after exactly one minute. Do not pick him up or establish eye contact. Say some soothing words, stroke him on the headland leave. He will probably scream again, and you will have to repeat your performance after two minutes, then after three minutes, then four. Keep the "check and leave" to every four minutes for three nights. Some babies realize night-time isles rewarding for getting attention and settle quickly after a week. Others resistor longer. During the second and third week you should "check" him every five minutes. This strategy only works if you are completely consistent.

Night waking older children can regress to night waking, which can become a habit if you let it. Usually there is a cause that needs identifying. Fears about starting school or other changes to routine can prompt sleeplessness. You can allay your child's concerns through stories or talking.

The amount of sleep that a child needs is variable. Don't trap an older child in the "baby" routine, expecting him to got bed when he isn't tired. Look for signs of tiredness during the day to determine if he is getting enough sleep, and make time for regular physical exercise. Hours of television or computer games can act as a sedative at the time, only to make the mind overactive at night. If your 10 or11 year old is sleeping late at weekends; it may be he is catching up on sleep and needs more during weeknights.

Making a baby sleep is a post from: More About Pregnancy

When you become pregnant, an embryo implants in the uterine wall. This releases a hormone and most pregnancy tests which detect based on your urine sample try and detect this hormone. But this hormone can be produced alternatively if the embryo implants in the Fallopian tubes. This is well known as ectopic tubal pregnancy.

Pregnancy tests are of two kinds, one can provide quite accurate results, but can get a little messy. This involves a cup which is used to collect urine, in which a special type of stick or other pregnancy detecting devices are inserted for a period of time(about 1-3 minutes) and after which a color change  or some other markings indicating pregnancy. Another similar method involves eye drops where in a small drop of urine is dropped on a small detecting strip. This technique is a little bit more accurate and a bit faster as well.

Though the above methods are more accurate, another type of pregnancy tests are more popular. Primarily because they involve far lesser steps and it being more convenient. These types of sticks are generally available over the counter and at your local grocery stores. In this technique, the stick is placed directly under a stream of urine for a few seconds (the exact time varies per brand) and then wait a few minutes for the results.
The only issue women had with these stick based tests were that the results were sometimes hard to read. Pharmaceutical companies have come up with digital sticks that give out readings on a small screen.

The most accurate type of tests is a simple blood test. This is done in your health care physicians office. Generally in this test a small amount of blood is removed and tested for the presence of the hormones related to pregnancy. This test must be done in case you get a positive result with one of the home pregnancy tests.

Looking to purchase a home pregnancy test?  You can find them in our store.

How Do You Use A Pregnancy Test? is a post from: More About Pregnancy

Smoke coming from a cigarette is loaded with chemicals with numbers going as high as more than 2000.  Few of these chemicals such as carbon monoxide, tar, nicotine etc have been long known to interfere with the developing fetus.

One of the common risks of smoking on pregnancy is ectopic pregnancy, that is the embryo fails to be implanted on the uterus and rests on an organ other than that such as the fallopian tube. This is usually the result of heavy smoking especially during the first trimester. It is needless to mention that this kind of pregnancy is fatal for the embryo almost about 100% of the times as the fetus fails to obtain its due protection and nutrition. In addition, this type of pregnancy can even be risky for the mother.

Another common complication of smoking during pregnancy is placental complications such as “placenta previa” in which the placenta is connected with the uterus at a lower position, sometimes as low as at the cervix. Smoking also causes a constant deterioration of fetal growth which presents as developmental abnormalities or mild effects such as low birth weight. These neonates are in additional risk of diseases like mental retardation, cerebral palsy and even death. Additionally, babies born to smoking mothers could suffer from sudden infant death syndrome and the survivors can be victims of asthma, learning disabilities and behavioral problems.

Effects of smoking are so pronounced that they continue to be harmful at a post delivery stage. Babies from mothers who smoke regularly or who smoke while breastfeeding can be equally at risk.

Nicotine, which is the main chemical ingredient of cigarette, can be passed onto the baby from breast milk. Several assays such as urine tests have indicated the presence of nicotine in these babies.

Many researchers believe that mothers, who smoke during the early years of their child, are also putting them at the risk of turning them into smokers themselves at a later stage. This could be a result of addiction or a behavioral result, but it has now been shown to be true very extensively.

So the take home message her is that even if the mothers decide to ignore their own health, all children born in this environment have a right to be born and brought up in a smoking free environment at least in their formative stages of life. The only advise for all moms-to-be is that your baby is not entitled to be forced to suffer from the far and deep seeded dangers associated with cigarette smoking. The least you could do for your child is to quit smoking as long as it takes to keep them safe.

Pregnancy and smoking: A strict no-no is a post from: More About Pregnancy

Here is a set of tips that you should remember in your 2nd phase of pregnancy.

1. Watch your diet and the appetite: since your diet improves over the 2nd trimester, this is the time to watch out your weight. While you are responsible to provide for the growing baby, it is important to eat right and healthy. You have to focus on getting all your nutrients and strictly avoid fast food.

2. Leg cramps can be common and you can deal with them by stretching, straightening and taking a small walk around the house or in a park. For instant relief, you can try to move your toes up at the time of a cramp and hold it in the position for a few seconds.

3. It is good and healthy to indulge in some “low impact” exercises. Being pregnant does in no way mean that you are prohibited from a workout.  Activities like yoga, swimming, walking are excellent for the mother to be. You can also involve your friends and partner and make it a fun activity. However, it is helpful to consult a doctor who could advise you what kind of exercises might be bad for your condition. Since pregnancy is more of a personalized condition, there is no rule of thumb here. Always remember, what is best for you is the only thing that you need to follow

4. You can even go ahead to perform Kegels that would strengthen your pelvic muscles. Hold on in and squeeze in the muscles for a few seconds and then relax to stop and start to urinate. You can perform this couple of times during the day as the more you train these muscles, the easier your labor would be.

5. Take some time out for love making sessions with your husband. These few weeks are the most comfortable time for you to share some more of those intimate moments. It would only make you feel more bonded and loved which is good for your baby.

And most importantly, do not forget- “you are having a baby”! This is the time to rejoice and enjoy.

While you enjoy this 2nd trimester of your pregnancy, slowly you would also begin to feel that little growing thing inside you, getting more active as it slowly starts kicking you from inside. The feeling, cannot be described, and only felt. And until then, wait for the moment, and enjoy your pregnancy

Pregnancy – The 2nd Trimester is a post from: More About Pregnancy

1. Relax and pamper yourself:

It is more than likely that you feel tired, fatigued and worn out very soon in your daily routine. This is the time, you need to give your body lots of rest, sleep and good food. This may also require you to hold back and cancel a few appointments, cut down on those social gatherings, decrease your workload and other responsibilities. It is ideal when you have your partner or family who could share your household work with you and give you some time off to take are of you and your baby. It is also important to not get stressed out or worry too much. You should remember that these would be one of the toughest days and things usually get easier as you reach the 2nd trimester.

2. Don’t hesitate to ask/request or beg your family and dear ones to help you with things that are small but consume time and energy. Prepare an elaborate list of food items and what you would like to eat and ask them to help you prepare those. It is not surprising that during the first trimester you would feel nauseating and wanting to avoid many of the common food items. This gets worse if you are working so having someone take over your evening duties like cooking, cleaning, laundry even a few times in a weak, is very useful.

3. Prepare food in bulk that would last through the week. You would realize that you have flashes of energy bursts, which would last for a very short time. It is wise to utilize those times and stock your refrigerators for those mid night snacks and more importantly the times when you feel, ever so lazy.

4. You would have to try a set of different things to work out what works best for your nausea. What might be great for one is useless for the other. But some common things you could try to help you alleviate your nausea symptoms are early snack up crackers, ginger tea, ginger ale or lemonade. Some might try completely unconventional foodstuff like a grilled cheese sandwich or black licorice. The key is to try different things and help you identify the cure for your morning sickness.

5. Do not look for too many advices. It is foolish to be reading every book on the racks on pregnancy and to be hoping to follow them all. Ask your doctor for one and stick to it. Even if you feel the urge to be consulting a few more sources, don’t get too worked out on every single detail.

And the most important fact to remember is, call your doctor. If in doubt, your physician is the only person who could put those worries to rest.

While you are having a hard time dealing with all these tormenting changes in your body and in your life, don’t forget to fully enjoy your first trimester. You will miss these moments sometime later in your life, so cherish them, take good care and have a great time.

The crucial 1st Trimester is a post from: More About Pregnancy

It's common knowledge that it is best for the baby if they are breastfed for the first two months. Even if breastfeeding is continued for a year or more, it is proven time and again that its more beneficial for the baby. So why is this? Firstly, breast milk contains certain essential substances, like colostrums, which contain natural antibodies that are required to keep the new born free from illness.
Cow's milk or other commercially available milk  cannot simulate the colostrums as available in breast milk and hence are unable to add the extra protection from illnesses as compared to a mothers milk.

Another big advantage is that babies tend to adapt better to breast milk. Their feces don't smell that bad and they do not have any difficulty defecating, as when compared to cow's milk. Also, saving on cow's milk means more savings for the family.

Many first time mothers report breast problems related with lactation. More often than not, these problems occur due to improper breast feeding techniques. It is very important for mothers to observe proper techniques as this will in turn benefit both the mother and the baby. Following are few tips that will help you understand the proper techniques of breast feeding.

The first and foremost task you need to perform is to prep your breast for milk production. There are tons of exercises that one can perform to make sure that the nipple is ready to deliver breast milk to your baby. One of the most simple techniques is to routinely pinch your nipples in a circular fashion.

Secondly, and this is what many mothers fail to accomplish is, to keep the nipple clean before the baby is ready to feed. If you have decided to breast feed, then you should avoid using soap or any detergent (body wash/gels) on your nipple and surrounding area. If this is unavoidable, you should clean your nipple using a wet cloth.

Thirdly at the time of feeding one must ensure that the baby is latched on properly to the nipple. The mouth of the baby should properly cover the entire areola and not just the nipple. This is especially important to stimulate the let down reflex which enables the milk to flow through the ducts and out from the nipple.

A simple technique to aid the baby to latch on to the areola properly is to stimulate their rooting reflex. This reflex is very strong in the first few months of the baby's life. When you tap or stimulate their cheek or near the mouth with your nipple, their head turns automatically towards it. They'll open their mouth and this is the sign that they are hungry and ready to be fed.
When done, you can use your little finger to open their mouth slightly towards the side, your baby will stop feeding and your nipple can be removed.

To prevent  nipples from getting sore and to prevent breast engorgement you need to keep track on the time your baby feeds on each nipple. It's advisable to alternate breasts after every 10 minutes. This would not only prevent engorgement but also ensure good flow. Also after every subsequent feeding time, make sure you start with the breast you last stopped with, this will make sure that the milk in one breast is completely empty before you move on to the next breast.

Breast Feeding Tips and Guidelines is a post from: More About Pregnancy

Hydro-birth or delivery is becoming a popular choice, which is based on the science of buoyancy. Being underwater at the time of labor helps reducing the pain during contractions. It enables the lower back muscles to be freed of the pressure in early as well as late stages of labor. One can chose to remain under water preliminarily to as long as throughout the process. Also being a natural way with minimum interference and potential harm to the baby, a birthing pool is definitely an ideal delivery system for those who have dread this moment of truth, all through their life.

Based on a similar principle is a TENS machine. This constitutes of electrode pads that pass electric signals to your lower back that counters the pain signals, thereby reducing the level of pain and muscular discomfort during labor. The current level can be regulated based on the stage of the labor pains experienced. Varied effects have been seen in different women from being extremely useful to a mild and minimum. The devise is usually available in hospitals to rent, but is also cheap for a personal purchase to make sure, there is one for you.

Entonox or a mixture of gas and air is one innovative way to relieve pain. This is a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen that is inhaled via a pipe whenever needed. It is simple, yet very effective, especially for deliveries with no complications. It can be seen as a distraction and not the actual elimination of pain stressors but it has the advantage of being free of any side effects or drawbacks that are associated with some of the pain reliving drugs.

Another way is to inject a pain relief drug such as epidural. This usually comes in an injection form and is directly injected into the lumbar region of the mother. The drug levels can be regulated and elevated as per subsequent needs but this usually needs to be done under the strict regulation of a doctor. While this drug can interfere with the movement, it restricts the entire process of giving birth to a lying down position. Some modified versions of the drug available now, also enable the mother to take a small stroll to relieve the discomfort.

Another pain relief drug, is Pethidine which is only stronger than the former which restricts its allowed dosage to two. This is one of the strongest pain-reducing alternatives being used today which is very effective but it is not ideal for a labor that lasts more than 6-8 hours. The drug has the capacity to leak into the baby, and though antidotes are now available, restricted use of the drug is suggested.

Ultimately, what works best for you would be more of a personal choice. Most experts suggest use of non invasive techniques as far as possible and avoiding the use of interfering drugs, unless absolutely necessary.

Childbirth: making the process easy is a post from: More About Pregnancy