Home foetal heart monitors (also called foetal dopplers) can no longer be legally sold to the public in Australia.
The ban is based on strong evidence that these devices can give dangerously misleading reassurance, delaying urgent care when your baby needs help.
Why are home foetal heart monitors banned for sale?
- They are not accurate for untrained users. You might pick up your own heartbeat, the placenta, or other sounds and mistake them for your baby’s heartbeat.
- This false reassurance can delay getting urgent medical help, which has been linked to stillbirths and neonatal deaths in Australia.
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has removed all home-use dopplers from the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG), meaning they are illegal to supply or advertise for home use.
- No consumer recall was issued. Some devices may still circulate second-hand or from overseas—but supply or advertising in Australia is illegal.
What about pregnancy apps that track baby’s heartbeat or movements?
- Apps that claim to detect or measure your baby’s heartbeat or movements can be inaccurate and are not a substitute for medical care.
- The Stillbirth Centre of Research Excellence and NSW Health both warn that these apps can also give false reassurance.
- Apps supplied for this purpose are medical devices and must be ARTG-listed. None are approved for home reassurance use.
- The Stillbirth CRE’s Movements Matter campaign reminds parents: there’s no “normal number” of kicks—know your baby’s pattern and call your medical provider if it changes.
- If you are concerned the safest and most accurate way to check your baby’s wellbeing is through clinical assessment by a midwife or doctor.
What to do if you’re worried about your baby’s movements
- Trust your instincts — you know your baby’s usual movement pattern.
- If movements are less than usual, different (including more), weaker, or stop, call your midwife, maternity unit, or doctor immediately — day or night!
- You are never wasting anyone’s time by checking.
🛑 If you see a home doppler for sale
- Do not buy or use it! And tell other people you may know thinking about buying one to not buy one.
- Report it to the TGA: You may be asked to include photos, the seller’s details, and where/when you saw it.
- Report breaches or questionable practices (illegal supply) and non-compliant advertising (social media/marketplaces) to Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).
- If in stores, markets, or expos, if safe to do so, tell the organiser or store manager — that home-use dopplers are not legal to supply.
👩⚕️For health professionals
- Advise against consumer use of home dopplers and “heartbeat/kick apps.”
- Reinforce: present early if concerned, especially for decreased or changed foetal movements.
- Report incidents via IRIS if a device or app contributed to delayed care.
Key takeaways
- Avoid home gadgets. Don’t use home dopplers or heartbeat/movement apps.
- Notice a change? Call now. Seek care immediately if your baby’s movement pattern changes — contact your care provider. You are not being a burden by calling them with your concerns.
- Help protect other families. Report illegal sales or ads when you see them to the TGA.
📚 Sources & further info
Other ways to reduce your stillbirth risk
Learn more about Safer Pregnancy by visiting here.
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