New system employs accelerometers and acoustic sensors to monitor foetal movements. Credit: Imperial College London.

Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new sensor-based device to monitor foetal movements in high-risk pregnancies.

The device enables physicians to monitor pregnancies where the baby is not growing as expected.

The system provides an alternative to the current self-reporting system, which requires mothers to notice changes in their baby’s movements and seek medical help. This approach is often inaccurate and may lead mothers to feel anxious or not report changes that should be recorded.

Imperial College London Department of Bioengineering Niamh Nowlan said: “The movements of a baby in the womb, foetal movements, are an important sign of the baby’s health. However, there is currently no way to monitor foetal movements outside of a hospital.”

“Foetal movements, are an important sign of the baby’s health.”

However, the new sensor can be worn for an extended duration and is designed to monitor the baby based on its movements and sound.

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The research team is specifically focussed on the effect that foetal movements can have on skeletal development and associated disorders such as hip dysplasia. They embedded the system with accelerometers and acoustic sensors to facilitate differentiation between movements of the baby and mother.

Nowlan added: “Our device is the first to use acoustic sensors to detect movements. It is also unique in that it can account for movements of the mother, which other previously proposed sensors cannot.

“We believe that this is a key aspect of the technology that will lead to successful adoption in the clinic and home.”

While technical improvements are required to enhance the accuracy of the device, the team believes that it can be in widespread use within ten years.