Find the Heartbeat

• 1). Lie down or sit in preparation for using the doppler.
  
  
• 2). Place a generous amount of doppler gel--a gel designed for use with a doppler--on your abdomen. This will help your unit to pick up your baby's heart tones.
  
  
• 3). Put the doppler probe on top of the gel, angling it downward and towards the top of your pubic bone.
  
  
• 4). Turn the doppler on with the hand that is not holding the probe.
  
  
• 5). Start moving the doppler in a circular motion across your abdomen. Move slowly to avoid missing your baby's heart tones.
  
  
• 6). Move the doppler in circular motions from one side of your belly to the other and across your entire abdomen until you hear your baby's heartbeat.
  
  

Measure the Heart Tones

• 1). Distinguish between your heart tones and your baby's. A baby's heart tones are likely to sound like a galloping horse, while yours should be much slower.
  
  
• 2). Count your baby's heart beats over a 60-second period.
  
  
• 3). Multiply the number of beats heard in 60 seconds by two. According to FetalDopplerFacts, the result is your baby's heart rate.
  
  
• 4). Expect a normal heart rate to be at least 110 beats per minute (BPM) and up to 180 BPM. However, a baby's heart rate can fluctuate and may vary, depending on the time of day you use the doppler. Additionally, higher rates may be completely normal.