Ultrasonic foetal heart monitor, model D205, by Sonicaid Ltd., England, 1973-1978

An ultrasonic foetal heart monitor listens to the baby’s heartbeat within the mother’s womb. Monitoring techniques have been introduced into common hospital obstetric practice since the 1960s. The foetus and, during labour, the activity of the uterus were continuously monitored. Monitoring machines such as this enabled hospitals to actively manage pregnancy and labour. Critics suggested such monitoring resulted in childbirth becoming highly medicalised and hospital-based for many women. The model D205 Ultrasonic foetal heart monitor was made by Sonicaid Limited during the 1970s.