**
The presenters of BBC’s Morning Live were compelled to publicly apologise after broadcasting potentially hazardous advice regarding pregnancy monitoring. Their on-air comments sparked criticism from a leading charity, prompting a swift correction to ensure the safety of expectant mothers.
The Controversial Advice
During a segment aired on 29 January, the show’s presenter Zoe Hardman suggested that pregnant women could use a stethoscope to listen to their baby’s heartbeat at home for reassurance. This recommendation raised alarm bells at Tommy’s, a prominent charity focused on pregnancy research, which quickly condemned the guidance as both incorrect and perilous.
Tommy’s issued a statement following the broadcast, clarifying that self-monitoring in this manner can lead to false reassurance. They emphasized that without professional training, it is easy to misinterpret the sounds heard through a stethoscope, which could cause unnecessary anxiety and confusion. Their statement read: “No home scanning device, Doppler, or app can tell you if your baby is well. This can only be done by a midwife or health professional who’s received appropriate training.”
The On-Air Correction
In response to the backlash, presenters Kimberley Walsh and Gethin Jones addressed the error live during the following episode. Walsh relayed a message from a midwife, stressing the importance of contacting healthcare professionals rather than relying on home equipment. She stated, “Debbie is a midwife, and said, ‘rather than using a stethoscope at home, anyone who is worried about their baby should contact a midwife.’ Stethoscopes can often give false reassurance by picking up the mum’s heartbeat, other sounds, and not the baby’s heartbeat.”
In a further step to rectify the misinformation, a pop-up disclaimer was added on BBC iPlayer, stating: “This programme is subject to a correction. It mistakenly claims that pregnant women can use a stethoscope at home for reassurance. The correct advice is to speak to your maternity unit if you are worried about a reduction in your baby’s movements.”
A Pattern of Apologies
This incident is not an isolated one in the realm of daytime television. Previous shows have also found themselves needing to apologise for on-air missteps. Cat Deeley from This Morning faced backlash for an inappropriate joke regarding seizures, while Kate Garraway from Good Morning Britain made headlines for mistakenly mispronouncing a colleague’s name. These instances highlight a concerning trend where hosts may inadvertently share misleading information, necessitating corrections and public apologies.
Why it Matters
This episode serves as a crucial reminder of the responsibility that media platforms have in disseminating accurate health information, particularly when it pertains to vulnerable populations such as pregnant women. The potential consequences of misleading advice can be significant, influencing not just individual decisions but also public perception of health practices. As viewers increasingly turn to media sources for guidance, it is imperative that broadcasters uphold the highest standards of accuracy and care in their content.
