What's a good Android app for listening to a baby's heartbeat at home before doctor visits?

Hear My Baby Heartbeat Monitor is an Android application developed by App Bards that aims to provide expecting parents with a way to listen for fetal heart tones using only their smartphone's built-in microphone. It's designed for casual, non-medical use by parents seeking reassurance and early bonding experiences during pregnancy. The app functions as a sensitive audio amplifier and filter, attempting to isolate biological sounds from background noise when the phone is placed on the abdomen.

A key feature is its real-time audio processing, which can sometimes distinguish between a fetal heartbeat and other sounds like maternal digestion or fetal movement. Users often report that the experience varies; detecting clear heart tones can be challenging and is highly dependent on fetal position, gestational age, and the local acoustic environment. Many find value even in hearing the swishes and thumps of movement, as noted in multiple reviews. The app includes basic recording functionality, allowing parents to save short audio clips. However, it's crucial to understand this is not a diagnostic tool. Audio quality from phone microphones is limited, and the app cannot provide medical-grade information or replace professional prenatal care. It works best in very quiet rooms, often later in pregnancy, and managing expectations is essential for a positive experience.