How to Record Baby's Heartbeat on Our Heartbeat Bears
Recording your unborn baby's heartbeat onto a Be My Bear sound recorder for use in one of our Heartbeat Bears is usually straightforward. The most important thing is to practise with the sound recorder before your appointment, take the recorder with you, and ask permission before recording the heartbeat sound.
You do not need to take the bear itself to your scan or appointment. You only need the recordable sound module. Once you have recorded the heartbeat, the module can be placed inside your Heartbeat Bear afterwards.
This guide explains how to use the Be My Bear sound recorder, including how to record, play, lock, unlock and switch off the module.
Important: This is a keepsake guide only. A Heartbeat Bear is not a medical device and should never be used to monitor your baby's health. If you have any concerns during pregnancy, including reduced movements or a change in your baby's usual pattern of movements, contact your midwife, maternity unit or healthcare professional straight away.
Before you record your baby's heartbeat
Before your scan, Doppler appointment or private ultrasound appointment, make sure you are familiar with your sound recorder. Practising at home with a short test message is the easiest way to avoid mistakes when the heartbeat is being played.
Before you go, check that:
- You have your Be My Bear sound recorder with you
- The sound recorder is working
- You understand the record, play and off positions
- You know how to lock the recording after you are happy with it
- The battery has enough power
- You have a safe bag or pouch to carry the recorder in
If the sound recorder seems weak, quiet or unreliable, check the batteries before your appointment.
Read our sound recorder battery replacement guide
What do the R, P and O positions mean?
Some Be My Bear sound recorders have a dial with three main positions:
- R means record
- P means play
- O means off
Before recording anything important, practise moving the dial between these positions and pressing the large central button. This helps you feel confident before your scan appointment.
Ask before recording at your appointment
When your sonographer or healthcare professional is about to let you hear your baby's heartbeat, ask whether they are happy for you to record a short audio clip using your Be My Bear sound module.
Some sonographers are happy to help. Others may ask you to hold the sound recorder yourself, or they may not allow recording due to clinic or hospital policy. Always follow the rules of the hospital, NHS department or private clinic you are attending.
A simple way to ask is:
"Would it be okay if I recorded a short clip of the heartbeat on this sound module for a keepsake bear?"
Keep the request quick and respectful so the appointment can continue smoothly.
How to record your baby's heartbeat
Follow these steps when you are ready to record the heartbeat onto your Be My Bear sound recorder.
1. Turn the dial to R
To start the recording, turn the dial on your sound recorder to the position marked R, which stands for record.
2. Hold down the central button
Hold down the large central button while the heartbeat sound is playing. A red light should illuminate on the side of the sound recorder to show that recording is active.
Keep holding the button down for as long as you want to record, up to the available recording time on your module. Some sound modules allow around 20 seconds of recording time, but this may vary depending on the model.
3. Keep the recorder close to the sound
Hold the sound recorder close to the speaker or sound source, but do not touch any medical equipment unless the sonographer or healthcare professional tells you it is okay.
Try not to talk, move the recorder around, rustle bags or cover the microphone while recording. Background noise can make the heartbeat harder to hear when played back later.
4. Release the button to stop recording
To stop recording, simply release the large central button. The recording should now be stored on the sound recorder.
How to play back the recording
After recording, turn the dial to the position marked P, which stands for play. Then press the large central button to hear the recording played back.
Always test the recording before leaving the appointment if possible. This gives you a chance to try again if the sound is too quiet, the wrong button was pressed, or something unexpected happened during the recording.
If the recording is clear enough and you are happy with it, you can lock the recorder to help prevent accidental erasure.
How to lock the recording
Once you are happy with the recording, make sure the dial is in the P play position.
Hold down the large central button for approximately 12 seconds until you hear a beep. The sound recorder should now be locked to help stop the recording being accidentally erased.
Locking the recording is especially important if the heartbeat recording is sentimental and you do not want it to be recorded over by mistake.
How to play a locked recording
To play the recording, make sure the dial is in the position marked P. Press the large central button and the recording of your baby's heartbeat should play back.
You can then place the sound module inside your Heartbeat Bear so the heartbeat can be played by pressing the bear.
How to unlock the recording
You should only unlock the recorder if you are happy to erase the existing recording and record something new.
To unlock the recording, make sure the dial is in the P play position. Hold the large central button for approximately 12 seconds until you hear two beeps.
The sound recorder should now be unlocked, meaning the existing recording can be recorded over.
Be careful: once you record a new sound over the heartbeat, the previous recording may be lost. Do not unlock or re-record unless you are sure.
How to turn off the sound recorder
To turn off your sound recorder, move the dial to the position marked O, which stands for off.
Turning the recorder off when it is not being used can help preserve battery life and makes the module safer for storage before it is placed inside the bear.
Putting the recorder inside your Heartbeat Bear
Once your heartbeat recording is saved, tested and locked, you can place the module inside your Heartbeat Bear.
Position the sound recorder so the large central button can be pressed through the bear. The module should be cushioned by the stuffing but still easy to activate when the bear is cuddled or pressed.
If you are stuffing the bear yourself, add the stuffing evenly around the module so the bear keeps a nice shape. Do not force the sound module into a tight space or place it where it causes uncomfortable lumps.
Tips for getting a clearer recording
- Practise with the recorder before your appointment
- Take only the recorder if bringing the whole bear is inconvenient
- Ask permission before recording
- Hold the recorder close to the heartbeat sound
- Keep your fingers away from the microphone area
- Avoid talking during the recording
- Keep the recorder still while recording
- Record for the full available time if possible
- Play the recording back before leaving
- Lock the recording once you are happy with it
What if the recording is too quiet?
If the recording is too quiet, first try playing it back in a quiet room. Small sound modules are not as loud as a phone or speaker, but the recording may still be clear enough once inside the bear.
If you are still at the appointment and the sonographer is happy for you to try again, move the sound recorder closer to the sound source, keep the room quiet and record again.
If you are recording from a phone, turn the phone volume up and hold the sound module close to the phone speaker.
Can I record the heartbeat from my phone?
Yes. If you already have your baby's heartbeat saved on your phone as a video or audio clip, you can usually record it onto the sound module at home.
To do this, play the heartbeat sound from your phone speaker and hold the Be My Bear sound recorder close to the speaker while recording. Choose a quiet room, test the recording, and try again if needed.
For more general advice about recording the heartbeat at a scan or from your phone, you may also find this guide useful:
Read our Recording Your Baby's Heartbeat guide
Can I use a home Doppler?
Some families may think about using a home Doppler to record a heartbeat sound. If you choose to use one for a keepsake recording, it should never be used for reassurance about your baby's health.
Do not use a home Doppler, heartbeat listening kit or phone app to check whether your baby is well. If you are worried about your baby or your baby's movements, contact your midwife, maternity unit or healthcare professional straight away.
Common questions about recording onto a Heartbeat Bear sound recorder
Do I need to take the bear to my scan?
No. You only need to take the recordable sound module. The module can be placed inside your Heartbeat Bear later.
What does R mean on the sound recorder?
R stands for record. Use this position when recording a new sound.
What does P mean on the sound recorder?
P stands for play. Use this position to listen to the recording, lock the recording, or unlock it depending on how long you hold the button.
What does O mean on the sound recorder?
O stands for off. Use this position when the recorder is not being used.
How do I know the recorder is recording?
When the dial is set to R and you hold down the large central button, a red light should illuminate to show that recording is active.
How do I stop recording?
Release the large central button to stop recording.
How do I lock the recording?
Set the dial to P, then hold the large central button for approximately 12 seconds until you hear a beep.
How do I unlock the recording?
Set the dial to P, then hold the large central button for approximately 12 seconds until you hear two beeps. Only do this if you are happy to record over the existing sound.
Can I record over the heartbeat?
Yes, if the recorder is unlocked, but this may erase the existing heartbeat recording. Do not record over it unless you are sure.
Will the recording disappear if the battery runs out?
In normal use, the recording should remain stored on the sound recorder's internal memory even if the batteries run out. Replacing the batteries should allow the sound to play again.
Important pregnancy safety note
Your Be My Bear Heartbeat Bear is a keepsake product, not a medical product. A saved heartbeat recording should never be used to check your baby's wellbeing.
If you notice reduced movements, a change in your baby's usual movements, or anything else that worries you during pregnancy, seek medical advice from your midwife, maternity unit or healthcare professional straight away.
Useful links
Recording Your Baby's Heartbeat guide