In studio
Heartbeat bears in Knoxville
Take the sound home with you. We record your baby's real heartbeat during your session and tuck it inside a soft plush animal you can squeeze for years to come. Add a heartbeat bear to any appointment at our Bearden studio.
How a heartbeat bear works
- 1. During your session we find and play your baby’s heartbeat out loud in the room.
- 2. We record it onto a small sound module right there while everyone listens.
- 3. The module goes inside the plush animal you choose from our studio selection.
- 4. Squeeze the paw at home and you hear it again — no app, no batteries to fuss with.
Why families choose a heartbeat bear
Photos capture what your baby looks like. A heartbeat bear captures what your baby sounds like — the exact rhythm you heard filling the room the first time, not a recreation of it. It is the one keepsake from a session that you can hear rather than look at, and it is the reason a lot of our families come back for a second one.
- For the grandparents. Especially the ones who live too far away to be in the room with you.
- For a partner who is away. Deployed or working out of state, they get to hear it too.
- For big brothers and sisters. A plush animal is a much easier way for a toddler to meet the baby than a scan photo.
- For the baby, later on. Plenty of parents hand the bear over when the child is old enough to understand what the sound is.
Ways to remember this special time
Heartbeat bears & animals
We record your baby's actual heartbeat during your session and place the recorder inside a soft plush animal. Squeeze the paw and there it is — the same sound you heard in the room, any time you want it.
Printed photos
Choose your favourite captures at the end of the session and take prints home the same day. Rendered in 8K, so the detail holds up when framed.
Digital images & video
Every session includes digital media by private link, usually within an hour, so you can share with family who couldn't be there.
Reveal supplies
Confetti cannons and balloon pop kits for gender reveal sessions, ready to go in studio.
Buying for someone else? Gift certificates can be used toward any session, and keepsakes can be added on the day.
Common questions
- What is a heartbeat bear?
- A heartbeat bear is a soft plush animal with a small sound recorder tucked inside. We record your baby's real heartbeat during your ultrasound session and seal that recording into the bear, so you can squeeze the paw and hear the same sound at home for years afterwards. They are also called heartbeat animals or heartbeat teddies — same thing.
- How does a heartbeat bear work?
- The recorder is a small button module about the size of a large coin. We capture your baby's heartbeat live during the scan, record it straight onto the module while everyone in the room listens, then zip it into a pocket inside the plush animal. Pressing the paw plays it back. There is no app, no phone and no pairing involved.
- Can I get a heartbeat bear at any session?
- Yes — as long as we can capture a clear heartbeat, which is normally from around 6 weeks. Heartbeat bears are popular with heartbeat sessions, gender reveals and 3D/4D sessions alike.
- Which animals can I choose from?
- We keep a selection of plush animals in studio — bears are the classic, but the recorder fits a range of animals and you can pick whichever one you like on the day. If you have your heart set on something specific, call or text us at 865-444-1992 ahead of your visit and we will tell you what is on the shelf.
- How much does a heartbeat bear cost?
- Heartbeat bears are an add-on to your session rather than part of the package price. Current pricing for keepsakes and add-ons is on our pricing page, and you can also just call or text 865-444-1992 and we will tell you exactly what it comes to.
- Do I need to order a heartbeat bear in advance?
- No. We keep keepsakes in studio and you can decide on the day. If you have your heart set on a particular animal, call or text us at 865-444-1992 before your appointment and we'll check stock.
- Do heartbeat bears make good gifts?
- They're one of the most popular gifts for grandparents, deployed partners and baby showers. A gift certificate plus a heartbeat bear is a lovely combination.
- How long does the recording last?
- The recorder is designed to keep the sound for years. Many families give the bear to the child later on as a keepsake from before they were born.
- Can the bear be washed?
- Take the sound module out of its pocket first, then surface-clean or gently hand-wash the plush and let it air dry. Never put the animal through a washing machine or dryer with the recorder still inside.
Ready to meet your baby?
Appointments fill quickly — especially evenings and weekends. Book online any time, or call us and we'll find a slot that works for your family.