Check firstCheck with your care teamTest or decision

Home fetal Doppler or heartbeat monitor

Do not use a home heartbeat device to decide that symptoms or changed movement are safe to wait with; it cannot perform a clinical assessment.

Direct guidance

What to know or do

It can be difficult to distinguish maternal and fetal sounds or interpret a number without training and context. Follow the movement and symptom advice from your maternity team and contact them directly when something has changed.

What changes the answer

  • Whether this is screening, diagnosis, monitoring, treatment or birth planning
  • Pregnancy week, previous results and what the result could change
  • Benefits, limits, alternatives, follow-up and the time available to decide

Check with your care team

When to get individual help

Check the exact item or situation with a doctor, midwife, pharmacist or relevant clinician; the name of a broad category is not enough for a personal decision.