Fetal Pinard Stethoscope

How to use a Pinard stethoscope

A Pinard horn is used to auscultate fetal heart sounds.

1. Position the mother comfortably, usually semi-recumbent or supine with a slight left tilt.
2. Expose the abdomen and perform abdominal palpation (Leopold manoeuvres) to determine the fetal back.
3. Place the wide end of the Pinard firmly against the abdomen over the fetal back.
4. Put your ear against the narrow end and listen carefully.
5. Count the fetal heart rate for 1 full minute. A normal baseline fetal heart rate is generally 110–160 beats/minute.
6. At the same time, check the mother’s pulse if needed, to ensure you are hearing the fetal rather than maternal heart rate.

The fetal heart is usually heard most clearly over the fetal back—often below the umbilicus in a cephalic presentation and above the umbilicus in a breech presentation.