Expectant mothers in the UK are being advised not to use hand-held monitors (Doppler devices) to listen to their baby’s heartbeat at home.
The advice is based on concern that inaccurate use may give false reassurances, leading to delays in seeking help.
An article in the BMJ from clinicians at Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral describes the case of a 27-year-old woman who presented to the labour ward 32 weeks into her first pregnancy. She had noted a reduction in foetal movement two days earlier, but had used her own Doppler device to check the heartbeat – which had sounded normal.
Monitoring by the antenatal care team indicated a problem, and the baby was delivered by Caesarean section that day. The baby is making progress after eight weeks in the special care baby unit.
Hand-held Doppler devices are used by midwives and obstetricians to check for foetal viability, but an untrained observer may mistake the mother’s pulse for the foetal heartbeat.
The authors report that a Doppler device can be hired for £10 a month or bought for £25–50 on the Internet. Suppliers warn that the device is not intended to replace professional antenatal care.