Badum
Should I take my phone case off to hear the heartbeat?
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Yes, take the phone case off. The microphone needs to be close to your skin or a thin layer of clothing, and a thick case muffles the soft sounds from your belly. This one change makes the biggest difference for most parents.
Why the case matters
The sounds from your bump are faint. A case adds distance and a layer of plastic, rubber or leather between the microphone and your skin. It also lifts the phone off the body, so the sound has to travel through air. Badum amplifies whatever reaches the microphone, so less sound in means less sound out, and more room noise mixed in.
What to do instead
- Take the case off before you start.
- Rest the microphone end of the phone directly on your skin, or over a thin shirt.
- Press gently. Firm pressure does not help and can be uncomfortable.
- Keep your fingers away from the microphone opening.
Other things that muffle the sound
Thick clothing, a blanket over the phone, a hand cupped around the microphone and a noisy room all have the same effect as a case. Background noise is the most common one: a quiet room matters as much as a bare phone.
Related questions
Can I keep a thin case on?
You can try, but results are usually clearer with the case off. If you keep it on, make sure nothing covers the microphone opening on the bottom edge.
Does a screen protector matter?
No. The microphone is on the edge of the phone, not on the screen, so a screen protector changes nothing.
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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.