Badum
How to hear your baby's heartbeat with an Android phone
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Badum is on Google Play and uses your Android phone's built-in microphone, so you need no accessories. Find a quiet room, take the phone case off, rest the microphone end of the phone low on your bump and to one side, and press record. Then move the amplify and noise-reduction sliders until the sound is clear.
Step by step
- Pick a quiet room. Turn off the television, music and fans.
- Lie back comfortably, or lie on your left side.
- Take the phone case off.
- Open Badum from Google Play and go to the listening screen.
- Rest the microphone end of the phone low on your bump and a little to one side. A thin layer of clothing is fine.
- Press record.
- Move the amplify slider up and the noise-reduction slider until the sound is clear.
- Put on headphones to hear more detail. Save the recording to your heartbeat journal.
Where the microphone is on an Android phone
Microphone placement varies by phone model. On most Android phones the main microphone is a small hole on the bottom edge, next to the charging port. Some phones have a second microphone on the top edge for noise cancelling during calls. Use the bottom one. If you are not sure, look for the small opening or check your phone maker's website.
Tips that make a difference
- Keep fingers and the case away from the microphone opening.
- Move the phone slowly across the low part of the bump and to both sides.
- Breathe slowly. Your own body sounds are the loudest things near the microphone.
- Use wired earphones or Bluetooth headphones to hear the faint, fast rhythm.
When to try again
Most parents first pick up sounds between week 20 and week 26. If you hear nothing yet, try again a week or two later. What you hear can include blood flow and body sounds as well as the heartbeat. Badum amplifies; it does not tell you which sound is which.
Related questions
Which Android phones work with Badum?
Badum runs on Android phones and tablets that can install it from Google Play. Because the microphone position differs by model, the only thing that changes from phone to phone is where you rest it on your bump.
Does Badum need any extra hardware on Android?
No. Badum uses the phone's built-in microphone only. Headphones are optional and help you hear detail.
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.