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(KLS News) -- The FDA is considering approving a fetal heart monitoring device that could give expectant moms peace of mind. But some experts think it's a bad idea.
Dr. Jane Piness, Virginia Hospital Center: "Midnight, 10, 9 pm, they call the doctor because, 'I'm listening, but I can't find it. I know something's wrong with my baby.'"
Doctors say moms aren't trained to find the baby's heartbeat, so they will panic unduly when they don't hear their baby's heartbeat.
Women can get the handheld device by prescription or on the Internet, but not in stores.
The monitors use doppler ultrasound technology, and experts aren't sure how much energy they transmit. They worry that moms will overuse them.
But pregnant women say seeing and hearing the baby during pregnancy is reassuring.
Stacie Hansen, Distributor: "Sometimes I just had to listen to know everything was okay, to get through the night. It gave me peace of mind."
The FDA has turned down approval requests twice before, but this week they agreed to hear more information about the heart monitors.
