Fetal Dopplers at home

At-home Dopplers use ultrasound technology, and are marketed as allowing pregnant women to measure and listen to their unborn baby’s heartbeat from the comfort of home and at any time.

In our previous SPCR-funded project on unmet needs in women’s health technologies, we heard concerns from clinicians and women about the safety of these devices alongside awareness of a desire expressed by women to feel more ‘in control’ during their pregnancies.

The NHS, Royal College of Midwives, and charities like Tommy’s have published guidance discouraging pregnant women from using at-home Dopplers. Concerns stem from cases where these devices have contributed to women not seeking medical care quickly enough, with potentially devastating consequences for mothers and unborn babies. A 2017 campaign by the charity Kicks Count unsuccessfully attempted to ban the sale of these devices. At-home fetal Dopplers remain widely available online with prices ranging from £5-£250.

There is little research on women’s perspectives and experiences of at-home fetal Dopplers. One study conducted in 2017 found that some women use Dopplers to soothe anxiety in the context of a difficult pregnancy or previous miscarriage. Further research is required to understand how women navigate different considerations, including safety concerns, when buying and using at-home Dopplers. This is especially needed as the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced face-to-face pregnancy care, potentially increasing the appeal of and use of at-home monitoring.

The aim of our study is to learn more about why women decide to use at-home Dopplers outside of clinical supervision. We hope to learn more about how women gain information, navigate decision-making, and use Doppler devices. The design of this study was informed by three women with lived experience who felt that there should be more support for pregnant women in making these decisions. Discussions with the women also highlighted the shame and secrecy that can be associated with at-home Doppler use, and the need for open, non-judgemental lines of communication with healthcare professionals.

To understand more, we will interview 15 women who have used Dopplers in the past five years. The women will come from a range of backgrounds, with differing experiences of health and pregnancy. They will be identified through relevant charities, online forums, and social media.

The research design, analysis, and our outputs will be conducted in partnership with a Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) group with relevant lived experience. Alongside this, we will speak with health professionals including GPs, midwives, and obstetricians about their perspectives on the safety and usefulness of the devices.

Our findings will be published in articles for academic and general audiences. We will also use our findings to inform the design of a larger study on the benefits and harms of at-home monitoring during pregnancy.

Amount awarded: £28,088