The hospital’s Birth Centre is advising pregnant women not to rely on a home doppler and to call the centre or their midwife if they have any concerns during their pregnancy.
A fetal doppler is a hand-held ultrasound device that uses soundwaves to listen to the baby’s heartbeat.
Midwives are concerned that the devices, when not used by a professional midwife, can result in false reassurance or lead to unnecessary stress.
The hospital are concerned that false reassurance or unncessary stress may be caused by pregant women using dopplers at home.
A spokesperson for the Birth Centre said: “Our Midwifery team is here to help and you can contact our Pregnancy Assessment Unit at any time on 01246 516146 if you have any concerns or questions.
“There is also a Maternity COVID Helpline number if you have any queries related to your pregnancy and Coronavirus, manned Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 16:30, which is 01246 512361.”
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