Overall App Summary:
My Baby’s Beat mobile app has no clinical relevance or credibility and should not be used by pregnant women. There is no evidence that the app actually records baby’s heart beats accurately. The app turns the smartphone microphone into a highly sensitive recording device, enabling the recording of various sound emanating from the mother, namely bowel sounds and perhaps, maternal heart rate. It is not a reliable fetal heart rate monitor. In fact, this app could be dangerous in that it could give some pregnant women a false sense of security; or on the other hand, cause unnecessary anxiety when the fetus is actually doing just fine. It is quite shocking that the app costs $4.99 for download and use, considering its lack of clinical credibility and lack of clinical relevance.