This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/8343317.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Foetal heart rate monitor warning | Foetal heart rate monitor warning |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Doctors are warning expectant parents that at-home foetal heart rate monitors should be used only for "fun" and not as an alternative to medical advice. | |
| The devices, which pick up the sound of the baby's heartbeat, can give "false reassurance", the British Medical Journal reports. | The devices, which pick up the sound of the baby's heartbeat, can give "false reassurance", the British Medical Journal reports. |
| They can also cause unnecessary anxiety in untrained hands, doctors warn. | They can also cause unnecessary anxiety in untrained hands, doctors warn. |
| The Royal College of Midwives said the availability of the devices was of concern to their members. | The Royal College of Midwives said the availability of the devices was of concern to their members. |
| It comes after a 34-year old pregnant woman used her at home foetal monitor after she noticed her baby moving less frequently when 38-weeks pregnant. | It comes after a 34-year old pregnant woman used her at home foetal monitor after she noticed her baby moving less frequently when 38-weeks pregnant. |
| Over the weekend she had reassured herself by listening to the baby's heartbeat but went to hospital on the Monday after being unable to detect it. | Over the weekend she had reassured herself by listening to the baby's heartbeat but went to hospital on the Monday after being unable to detect it. |
| They become dangerous when they're used by untrained people as an alternative to seeking medical attention Dr Abhijoy Chakladar | They become dangerous when they're used by untrained people as an alternative to seeking medical attention Dr Abhijoy Chakladar |
| An urgent ultrasound showed the baby had died in the womb and doctors believe the patient had been picking up her own heartbeat or placental blood flow with the device. | An urgent ultrasound showed the baby had died in the womb and doctors believe the patient had been picking up her own heartbeat or placental blood flow with the device. |
| Although the tragic death may have been unavoidable, the use of a foetal heart monitor certainly delayed the patient attending hospital, says Dr Abhijoy Chakladar, an anaesthetist at Princess Royal Hospital in Brighton who treated the patient and highlights the issue in the BMJ article. | Although the tragic death may have been unavoidable, the use of a foetal heart monitor certainly delayed the patient attending hospital, says Dr Abhijoy Chakladar, an anaesthetist at Princess Royal Hospital in Brighton who treated the patient and highlights the issue in the BMJ article. |
| He is quick to point out that stillbirth is a rare event and pregnant women should not be unduly alarmed. | He is quick to point out that stillbirth is a rare event and pregnant women should not be unduly alarmed. |
| "These monitors are great fun as long as they are just used for a bit of bonding with the baby or play with older siblings. | "These monitors are great fun as long as they are just used for a bit of bonding with the baby or play with older siblings. |
| "But they become dangerous when they're used by untrained people as an alternative to seeking medical attention. | "But they become dangerous when they're used by untrained people as an alternative to seeking medical attention. |
| "Expectant mothers who notice a reduction in foetal movement or have any other concerns about their baby's health should instead contact their midwife or labour ward for expert advice and reassurance." | "Expectant mothers who notice a reduction in foetal movement or have any other concerns about their baby's health should instead contact their midwife or labour ward for expert advice and reassurance." |
| It is the second such case highlighted this year in the BMJ. | It is the second such case highlighted this year in the BMJ. |
| 'Seek medical advice' | 'Seek medical advice' |
| Doctors previously raised the problem of false reassurance with a baby who survived but required neonatal intensive care. | Doctors previously raised the problem of false reassurance with a baby who survived but required neonatal intensive care. |
| A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said it was aware of the case. | A spokesman for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency said it was aware of the case. |
| But he warned: "Members of the public using foetal monitors at home are unlikely to have the necessary knowledge or experience to use the device effectively and if they are concerned about the health of their baby they should seek medical advice." | But he warned: "Members of the public using foetal monitors at home are unlikely to have the necessary knowledge or experience to use the device effectively and if they are concerned about the health of their baby they should seek medical advice." |
| Donald Peebles, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the devices did not really give much information anyway. | Donald Peebles, spokesman for the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, said the devices did not really give much information anyway. |
| "If you're just doing it for fun and you can't pick up the heart rate because you're pointing it in the wrong direction that would unnecessarily frighten you. | "If you're just doing it for fun and you can't pick up the heart rate because you're pointing it in the wrong direction that would unnecessarily frighten you. |
| "And it shouldn't be used to provide reassurance." | "And it shouldn't be used to provide reassurance." |
| Mervi Jokinen, from the Royal College of Midwives, said: "These devices may be sold as a bit of fun for parents to use, but let me be categorically clear; there is absolutely no substitute for speaking to your midwife or doctor as soon as possible if you think that there is something wrong during your pregnancy." | Mervi Jokinen, from the Royal College of Midwives, said: "These devices may be sold as a bit of fun for parents to use, but let me be categorically clear; there is absolutely no substitute for speaking to your midwife or doctor as soon as possible if you think that there is something wrong during your pregnancy." |