App lets pregnant people check fetal heartbeat at home ^{CEFR B2}

DopFone is a new mobile app that lets pregnant people monitor a fetal heartbeat at home between doctor visits by using the phone speaker to emit a low-pitched ultrasound and detect reflected signals from abdominal surface vibrations. Alex Adams, an assistant professor in Georgia Tech’s School of Interactive Computing, developed the idea after he and his wife experienced two miscarriages; he describes the project as addressing gaps between scheduled checkups. Poojita Garg joined while completing her master’s at Georgia Tech, and she is now pursuing a PhD at the University of Washington, coadvised by Professor Swetak Patel. Garg is coordinating DopFone’s first clinical trials with the University of Washington School of Medicine.

In an initial test on 23 patients, Garg reported a plus–minus of 4.9 beats per minute, within the clinical standard range of eight beats per minute for reliable fetal heart rate measurement. Adams notes the app measured within two beats per minute in most cases, with an error rate under 1%.

The researchers say it is unclear whether the innovation could reduce miscarriages, while noting that about one million pregnancies in the US end in miscarriage. Still, consistent fetal heart rate data collected outside clinics could improve understanding of what happens before a miscarriage and allow preventative action. The team highlights DopFone as a low-cost option that avoids external add-ons and uses phone features, which Adams says matters because 96% of America and 60% of the world's population already have the necessary technology. Garg warns the tool could increase anxiety for some users; they want doctor recommendation and not to replace clinic care. The research appears in Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive, Mobile, Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies. Source: Georgia Tech.