The growing popularity of at-home foetal heart rate monitoring devices has led to heated debates on the merits of the trend. Jisha Krishnan considers both sides of the argument.

By Jisha Krishnan

When there’s a baby in the offing, the excitement is palpable. To-be parents are eager to hear the heartbeat and track every movement of the baby in the womb. And now, with technology, it’s easier than ever before to tune into the heart rate and rhythm of the foetus.

Thanks to the popularity of at-home foetal heart rate monitoring devices, pregnant couples no longer have to wait for a visit to the doctor to hear their little one’s heartbeat. Fairly affordable, handheld foetal heart monitors give today’s parents the freedom to do so within the comforts of their home.

However, the growing trend has led to heated debates on the merits of using foetal heart monitors at home. Is it in the best interest of the baby and the mother? Here’s looking at both sides of the argument:

The cons

According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), foetal heart monitors, like ultrasound machines, are prescription devices designed to be used by trained healthcare professionals. They are not intended for over-the-counter sale or use. Unlike internal foetal heart rate monitoring devices that use an electronic transducer connected directly to the foetal scalp, external foetal heart monitoring devices listen to the foetal heartbeat through the mother’s abdomen. The hand-held electronic Doppler ultrasound machine is the most commonly used device.

The average foetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute, though it can vary as the baby responds to conditions in the uterus. An abnormal foetal heart rate could be indicative of a problem that needs medical attention. Globally, there have been a few reported cases where at-home foetal heart monitors have led to false reassurance and delayed medical intervention, causing harm to the baby.

As much as the manufacturers may like us to believe otherwise, the fact remains that it can be quite a task to correctly pick up the baby’s heartbeat. In many cases, this has caused unnecessary stress to parents who rush to the hospital only to be told that the baby is fine.

In theory, ultrasound waves can potentially increase temperature. In other words, if overused, the Doppler ultrasound device can possibly cause harm to the baby. Besides, a bulk of the foetal heart monitors available in the marker today are poorly made, increasing the risk of malfunction.

The pros

The biggest advantage of using a foetal heart monitor at home, users agree, is the peace of mind it offers. Understandably, it is reassuring to hear the baby’s heartbeat, especially on days when the foetal movement seems sluggish. Once parents learn to distinguish between the baby’s heartbeat and the mother’s heartbeat as well as the sounds of her organs and blood flow, foetal heart monitors can become a potent bonding tool during pregnancy. The experience of using the device gets better with time.

As of now, there is no scientific evidence to prove that ultrasound is harmful to the foetus. Advocates of at-home foetal heart monitors are confident that the device does not cause any adverse effects on the baby. However, it’s important to read up on the product, as no two brands are the same.

HeraBEAT, a unique smartphone-based fetal heartbeat monitor manufactured by a startup in Israel, for instance, is believed to enhance the accuracy, efficiency and ease-of-use of conventional ultrasound monitoring technology. Its international roll-out, starting in the UK and Australia, is expected this year.

Researchers are working on innovative foetal heart monitoring devices for safer and more accurate readings. Earlier this year, scientists at the Stevens Institute of Technology designed a wearable motion sensor (that reads vibrations rather than using ultrasound) to monitor the baby’s movement and heart rate. The user-friendly device is still in a proof-of-concept stage and will take a while to hit the market.

The bottom line

No medtech device can substitute timely prenatal visits to the doctor. Yes, we know that it is not easy to wait for seemingly endless weeks to hear the dreamlike heartbeats of the precious little life growing inside the womb. While there are many foetal heart monitoring devices on the internet and at brick-and-mortar stores that claim to offer just what you are looking for, it is better to exercise prudence.

For those looking for non-invasive, safer alternatives to Doppler ultrasound devices, there are a few options available in the market, such as fetoscope (stethoscope for the foetus) and acoustic stethoscope (traditionally used by midwives to listen to the baby’s heartbeat).

In case you decide to get home a foetal heart monitor, ensure that the manufacturer has a good reputation and excellent user reviews. It’s always sensible to check with your doctor before making the purchase.