British development of portable fetal heart monitor will reduce fetal mortality

the British Foundation for Behavioral Research, the British Research Foundation announced that portable fetalheartmonitors funded by the foundation have been developed and are expected to be available in September this year, which will help reduce the stillbirth rate in the UK and helppregnant womenAbout 3,500
babies in England and Wales aredead each year, according to the Office for National StatisticsThe occurrence of stillbirths is related topregnant womenhave a history of diabetes andhigh blood pressure, and whether there is a history of stillbirthSo far, there is no simple and effective way to continuously monitor fetalheart, except forpregnant womentohospitalsAfter 15 years of research, scientists funded by the foundation have finally developed a fetalheartmonitor the size of a mobile phone that can accompany high-risk pregnant women throughout the process to reduce risksOne of the biggest differences between this portable fetal monitor and the ultrasound device currently used inhospitalis that it does not require rigorous medical trainingThe researchers say the development of the device overcomes many technical difficultiesFor example, the monitor must be able to distinguish between different electrical signals in the mother and fetus's respective heartsIn addition, the fetal monitor can determine the position of the fetus in the womb, record the activities of the pregnant woman, and provide a scientific basis for doctors to decide whether to letbabycome to life earlyMargaret Ramsay, a gynaecologist at the University of Nottingham and Queen's College of Medicine, found that high-risk pregnant women wanted a device during pregnancy that would keep a watchful eye on their fetuses, but did not want to be tied to a bedIn particular, some pregnant women also need to take care of their other children and do some housework, so a portable fetal surveillance device is in great needThe researchers also said that pregnant women love the newly developed portable fetal monitor, and feel at ease when they see the baby's heart beatingThe researchers believe the portable device could also be close to mother and child (reprinted from Science and Technology Daily)