Home fetal heart rate monitoring was used by 73.8% of surveyed pregnant or recently pregnant women and was generally perceived as reassuring, with higher adoption in primiparous women (p<0.001).
Cross-Sectional (n=225)
Home fetal heart rate monitoring is widely accepted and perceived as reassuring by pregnant and postpartum women, particularly among primiparous women.
Background: Digital health technologies have expanded access to home fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring devices, enabling fetal surveillance outside clinical settings. However, evidence on women’s awareness, acceptance, and experiences with these devices remains limited. Objective: To assess awareness, adoption, user experience, perceived reassurance, and attitudes toward home FHR monitoring among pregnant and postpartum women. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms. Eligible participants were women aged ≥18 years who were currently pregnant or had been pregnant within the previous two years. The survey evaluated awareness and use of home FHR monitoring devices, usage patterns, sources of recommendation and instruction, emotional responses, perceived reassurance, mobile application integration, and overall attitudes. Descriptive statistics and exploratory subgroup analyses were performed. Results: A total of 225 women completed the survey; 166 (73.8%) reported using a home FHR monitoring device during pregnancy. Most users reported positive emotional experiences, with calmness as the most common response. Home monitoring was generally perceived as reassuring, and many participants felt calmer on days of device use. Gynecologists were the primary source of device recommendations and usage instructions. Participants highlighted the importance of professional guidance, clear instructions, and mobile application support. Primiparous women had significantly higher adoption rates than multiparous women (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Home FHR monitoring was widely accepted and commonly perceived as reassuring. These devices may support patient-centered prenatal care when accompanied by appropriate professional guidance. Further prospective studies are needed to assess their clinical utility, safety, and integration into prenatal care pathways.
Sandulescu et al. (Mon,) conducted a cross-sectional in Pregnancy (n=225). Home fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring was evaluated on Adoption of home FHR monitoring devices. Home fetal heart rate monitoring was used by 73.8% of surveyed pregnant or recently pregnant women and was generally perceived as reassuring, with higher adoption in primiparous women (p<0.001).