Hopeful Parents Really Need To Know The potential Risks They Run With Off The Shelf Technology!

This appeared last week:Fetal heart monitors implicated in stillbirths, neonatal deathByKate AubussonAugust 29, 2022 — 5.00amThe medical watchdog is investigating the dangers of at-home fetal heart monitors following three stillbirths and one neonatal death linked to the devices.The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will consider banning handheld fetal dopplers for personal use after theywere linked to multiple cases of pregnant women being “falsely reassured” that their unborn baby had a healthy heartbeat, leading to delays in seeking medical attention.Health authorities reported three stillbirths and one early neonatal death to the TGA in the past 12 months, prompting a review of the device ’s safety, benefits and harms.“While the deaths may not have been avoidable, the use of home fetal dopplers delayed the women’s presentation for timely review by providing false reassurance about their baby’s wellbeing,” the TGA said in a statement.“Without training, the sounds detected from the mother or placenta could easily be misinterpreted as the fetal heartbeat, providing potentially inaccurate reassurance.”There were also reported cases where parents couldn ’t find a fetal heartbeat using the devices, causing unnecessary panic, the TGA said.Fetal dopplers - traditionally used by doctors and midwives - have become increasingly popular among parents wanting to listen to the heartbeat of their babies at home, costing between $60 and $200 online and in-store...
Source: Australian Health Information Technology - Category: Information Technology Authors: Source Type: blogs