A baby heartbeat monitor (also called a fetal doppler) is no longer just for doctors. Now you can enjoy the sweet sounds of your growing baby’s heartbeat anytime you want. For many moms-to-be, hearing their baby’s heartbeat is the best part of their monthly prenatal visits. The sweet rhythmic swishes help the coming child feel more real and help older siblings get a better idea of the new life that is about to arrive.

Having a baby heartbeat monitor at home allows you to re-create those special moments whenever you want, as often as you want. The heartbeat monitors use doppler technology to detect your baby’s heartbeat without any harm to you or the baby. Many are sensitive enough to begin detecting your baby’s heartbeat as early as 10 weeks after conception.

If you are having a difficult pregnancy, or if you feel particularly anxious about your baby’s development for any reason, having a baby heartbeat monitor at home can save you a lot of worry. Your doctor may tell you to keep a diary of how often your baby kicks and when, but early on in your pregnancy and again later as your baby has less room to move, it’s common for you to not feel kicks as often. This can cause unnecessary concern. Hearing your baby’s heartbeat can reassure you that your baby is doing fine.

As the technology improves and the demand increases, baby heartbeat monitors are becoming more common, portable, and affordable. Even if you are on a budget, you may be able to afford the luxury of hearing your baby’s heartbeat whenever you want.