Badum
Do I need a fetal doppler to use Badum?
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No. Badum works with just your phone and its built-in microphone. You do not need a fetal doppler or any accessory. Headphones help you hear more detail while you listen live.
How Badum listens without a doppler
Badum rests the phone's microphone on your bump, amplifies what it picks up and lets you reduce room noise with a slider. Every recording is saved to your heartbeat journal, ready to replay and share. It is a keepsake, and it needs nothing but the phone.
How a fetal doppler is different
A fetal doppler is a separate device that sends ultrasound into the body and listens for the echo from the baby's heart. It is a regulated medical device. If you are thinking of buying one for home use, ask your midwife first. Badum and a doppler are not the same tool, and neither one replaces prenatal care.
What helps instead of accessories
- Headphones, wired or Bluetooth, to hear the faint, fast rhythm.
- A quiet room and the phone case off.
- Timing. Most parents first pick up sounds between week 20 and week 26.
- Patience. Try lower on the bump and to the sides, and try again a week or two later if you hear nothing.
Related questions
Can I use Badum together with a fetal doppler?
You can own both, but they do different things. A doppler is a medical device; Badum is a keepsake. Neither one replaces prenatal care, and neither should be used to reassure yourself if you are worried.
Do I need a stethoscope for Badum?
No. Badum needs nothing but the phone. Its built-in microphone, amplified, is what you listen to.
Get Badum on iPhone and Android
Badum is not a medical device and does not provide a medical diagnosis or replace prenatal care. Always talk to your doctor or midwife about your pregnancy and your baby's health.