A qualitative study exploring patient and healthcare practitioner perspectives about at-home fetal Doppler devices

At-home foetal Dopplers are widely sold for use outside of medical supervision, despite safety concerns regarding the potential for false-reassurance leading to delayed care-seeking. To learn more about pregnant peoples' decision-making surrounding using these devices, we conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 women who had considered or used a home Doppler and interviews or focus groups with 15 healthcare practitioners (HCPs) (10 midwives, 1 obstetrician, 4 GPs). We conducted thematic analysis using a mind-mapping approach. Home Doppler users sought early reassurance and bonding, often before perceiving foetal movements. Although the devices were adopted to alleviate anxiety, they could paradoxically exacerbate it. HCPs worried about the potential for false reassurance, misinterpretation, and unregulated consumer devices. In healthcare encounters, both groups tended to avoid discussing home Doppler use, reducing opportunities to explore concerns and offer evidence-based interventions. Care should enable non-judgemental conversations about Dopplers while reiterating that they must not replace timely care-seeking.