The best way to begin an exam is to be lying down exposing the abdomen, although it may be possible to find the heart rate in a sitting or standing position. Apply a generous amount of ultrasound gel to the fetal Doppler probe. Early in pregnancy the best technique is to begin with the transducer (probe) on the midline of the abdomen (above the pubic line) aiming downward behind the pubic bone. The probe should then be angled slowly in search for the fetal heart rate.
Be patient, early in pregnancy the size of the fetal heart is so small and the sound so faint it can be very easy to pass over and miss the sounds. A 2 Mghz probe is best for early detection, standard on Hunt Leigh FD1+ and D920. A full bladder can make it easier to find the heartbeat. Try to keep from dragging the probe around as it will only increase static and make it more difficult to find the heartbeat.
