New warning on dangerous fetal heart monitors

Mothers-to-be are again being warned by doctors not to use over the counter fetal heart monitors also known as Doppler devices at home.

In a second case published this year by the BMJ, a Doppler device in untrained hands has led to tragic consequences.

A 34 year old woman who was 38 weeks pregnant with her first baby arrived at her labour ward having been unable to find her baby’s heartbeat with her fetal monitor.

The lady had noticed a reduction in her baby’s movements some days before but had reassured herself by listening to the “fetal” heartbeat over the weekend.

An urgent ultrasound scan showed that the there was not fetal heart activity and the baby had died.

Though the fetal heart rate is monitored during pregnancy and labour by medical professionals, in untrained hands it is more likely that the blood flow through the placenta or the mother’s own pulse is being heard.