SciAdv: AI-Powered Patch Tracks Fetal Movements in the Womb With 90% Accuracy

Engineers at Monash University have developed a soft wearable patch that enables continuous monitoring of fetal movements during pregnancy outside clinical settings. The innovation is described in Science Advances (SciAdv).

The thin patch, measuring about 10–14 square centimeters, detects movements such as rolls, stretches, and kicks. In a clinical study involving 59 pregnant women, the device identified fetal movements with more than 90% accuracy.

The researchers noted that most expectant mothers currently rely on manually counting fetal kicks at home, which often leads to anxiety and does not provide a full picture of the baby’s condition. According to lead researcher Vinayak, the new technology is designed to fill this gap and offer convenient, noninvasive monitoring. He emphasized that the patch is lightweight, flexible, and suitable for long-term wear without limiting daily activities.

“The device’s effectiveness comes from the combination of soft materials, advanced signal processing, and artificial intelligence. Two sensors capture subtle surface changes on the abdomen caused by fetal movement, and the machine-learning system analyzes these signals and distinguishes them from the mother’s movements,” added Monash University biomedical signal processing lab head, Fae Marzbanrad.

Before testing the device on participants, the team validated the sensors using 2D and 3D abdominal models, assessing how well they detected simulated kicks at various angles and depths. They later placed two patches on the abdomen of pregnant volunteers, using ultrasound as the reference standard for training the algorithms.

The researchers stress that the technology is not a replacement for medical examinations but can complement standard care, help detect changes in activity earlier, and reduce stress for expectant parents. The next steps include expanded clinical trials and obtaining regulatory approvals for use outside hospitals.

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