Badum
How to hear your baby's heartbeat with an iPhone
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Badum uses the iPhone's built-in microphone, so you need no accessories. Find a quiet room, take the phone case off, rest the microphone end of the iPhone 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 on a sofa or bed. Lying on your left side also works well.
- Take the phone case off.
- Open Badum and go to the listening screen.
- Rest the bottom end of the iPhone, where the microphone is, 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 when you are happy with it.
Where the iPhone microphone is
The main microphone on an iPhone sits on the bottom edge, next to the charging port. That end goes on your belly. Keep your fingers and the case away from the small openings so nothing covers them.
Tips that make a difference
- Move the phone slowly. Try a few spots low on the bump and on both sides.
- Breathe slowly. Your own breathing and stomach sounds are the loudest things near the microphone.
- Keep sessions short. A few relaxed minutes work better than a long search.
- Use headphones. Wired earphones or AirPods both help you pick out the faint, fast rhythm.
When to try again
Most parents first pick up sounds between week 20 and week 26. If you hear only your own heartbeat or nothing at all, try again a week or two later. What you hear can include blood flow and body sounds as well as the heartbeat, and Badum cannot tell you which is which.
Related questions
Do I need AirPods or headphones to use Badum?
No. Badum works with the iPhone alone. Headphones help you hear more detail while you listen live, so they are worth using if you have them.
Does Badum work on an iPad?
Yes. Badum is on the App Store for iPhone and iPad. The microphone sits in a different place on an iPad, so check where it is before you rest it on your bump.
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.