Mums-to-be are being advised not to use personal monitors (Doppler devices) to listen to their baby’s heartbeat at home over fears that they may lead to delays in seeking help for reduced fetal movements. In this week’s BMJ, Dr Thomas Aust and colleagues from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Arrowe Park Hospital, Wirral describe the case of a 27 year old woman who presented to their labour ward 32 weeks into her first pregnancy with reduced fetal movements.