A team of engineers and obstetricians from Monash University has developed a thin, Band-Aid-like wearable that may transform how fetal wellbeing is monitored outside the clinic. The stick-on patch, just 10-14 cm² in size, can detect fetal activity, including kicks, stretches and rolls, through the mother’s abdomen with accuracy above 90%, according to results from a clinical study involving 59 pregnant women.
Today, most at-home fetal monitoring depends on self-counting. While important, it can be subjective, stressful and inconsistent. The new patch aims to fill that gap by offering continuous, non-invasive tracking that pregnant individuals can use comfortably in everyday life.
How the patch works
The soft wearable contains two lightweight sensors that capture subtle movement signals across the abdominal surface. Each type of movement generates a unique pattern. These signals are processed by machine-learning algorithms that distinguish fetal movement from maternal motion and background noise.
“The goal is to provide a comfortable, long-duration monitoring option that helps parents and clinicians understand fetal activity with more confidence,” explains Associate Professor Vinayak Smith from Monash University’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology. Co-author Dr. Fae Marzbanrad adds that the fusion of soft materials, advanced signal processing and AI is key to the device’s performance, detecting a broader range of movements than previous wearable concepts while remaining compact and unobtrusive.
From lab testing to real-world validation
Before reaching patients, the patch was tested on artificial 2D and 3D abdominal models to evaluate signal quality at different depths and angles. In the clinical trial, two patches were placed on each participant’s abdomen and monitored alongside ultrasound imaging, the current gold standard, to train and validate the AI model.
Initial findings reflect strong clinical promise. A continuous monitoring tool like this could support earlier recognition of reduced fetal movement, one of the most common reasons for hospital presentation during pregnancy. With clearer data available between appointments, expectant parents may gain greater reassurance and clinicians faster insight when patterns change.
Looking ahead
The researchers emphasize that the wearable is designed to complement, not replace, standard obstetric assessment. Larger clinical trials and regulatory pathways are planned as next steps, with the vision of enabling safe at-home use and integration into routine maternity care.
If further validated, this soft, intelligent patch could bring fetal monitoring beyond the clinic, supporting safer pregnancies and more informed parents, wherever they are.
