Irish Wedding News
20/06/2017
The machines are used to check the heartbeat of a developing baby, but there are concerns about women who use the machines at home.
Mandy Forrester, Head of Quality and Standards at RCM, explained: "We have two key concerns: firstly, the machines can lead to unnecessary stress for women when they are unable to find a heartbeat using the personal Doppler and secondly, that women may be falsely reassured by hearing what they think is their baby's heartbeat when it is actually their own.
"The sound that is heard is not the real heart sound but the machine detecting heart movement, therefore picking up a maternal pulse or blood pumping through placenta could give false reassurance.
"Such reassurance could be dangerous as it may delay a woman in seeking advice from her midwife. Even if the mother has picked up the baby's heartbeat this is not an indication that the baby is well."
She continued: "The best way for a woman to monitor her baby's wellbeing is to get to know her own baby's usual pattern of movements and notice if there is any change. Being active – wriggling, kicking, rolling – is an indicator that the baby is well.
"Babies will have individual patterns that their mothers will begin to recognise as their pregnancy progresses – for example some babies are much more active when their mother is having a rest or in the evening or after a meal, while other babies have very active mornings.
"We would recommend that where a woman is concerned that her baby has been less active than usual that she should call her midwife or maternity unit to seek their advice.
"Women should always contact their midwife if they are worried about their baby's movements, or anything else. Midwives want them and their baby to be as safe and cared for as possible."
(JP/LM)
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RCM Voices Concerns Over Home Doppler Machines
The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) has voices its concerns regarding the use of home Doppler machines by expectant mothers.The machines are used to check the heartbeat of a developing baby, but there are concerns about women who use the machines at home.
Mandy Forrester, Head of Quality and Standards at RCM, explained: "We have two key concerns: firstly, the machines can lead to unnecessary stress for women when they are unable to find a heartbeat using the personal Doppler and secondly, that women may be falsely reassured by hearing what they think is their baby's heartbeat when it is actually their own.
"The sound that is heard is not the real heart sound but the machine detecting heart movement, therefore picking up a maternal pulse or blood pumping through placenta could give false reassurance.
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"Such reassurance could be dangerous as it may delay a woman in seeking advice from her midwife. Even if the mother has picked up the baby's heartbeat this is not an indication that the baby is well."
She continued: "The best way for a woman to monitor her baby's wellbeing is to get to know her own baby's usual pattern of movements and notice if there is any change. Being active – wriggling, kicking, rolling – is an indicator that the baby is well.
"Babies will have individual patterns that their mothers will begin to recognise as their pregnancy progresses – for example some babies are much more active when their mother is having a rest or in the evening or after a meal, while other babies have very active mornings.
"We would recommend that where a woman is concerned that her baby has been less active than usual that she should call her midwife or maternity unit to seek their advice.
"Women should always contact their midwife if they are worried about their baby's movements, or anything else. Midwives want them and their baby to be as safe and cared for as possible."
(JP/LM)
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Lydia Bright Gets Candid About Giving Birth
Lana Del Ray Splits From Boyfriend
Angelica Ross Learns Of Boyfriend's Secret Life
Ashley Graham's Breastfeeding Struggle
Susanna Reid's Mother's Day Plans
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