Former doctor Adam Kay's highly-anticipated TV adaption of his best-selling memoir This is Going to Hurt came to screens this month, but not without some controversy.
Following Kay's life as a junior doctor on a busy, and often overwhelmed, Obstetrics and Gynaecology ward, the show is a world away from the days of ER and Grey's Anatomy medical dramas, and has been described as 'darkly humorous' and 'gory' by The Mirror.
The seven-part series is set in the early 2000s, and has been widely praised for giving a raw and empathetic look at the sort of challenges NHS workers have to face in their day-to-day work - but concerns have been raised within the medical community over information on 'home dopplers' in the show which could put pregnant women and their babies at risk.
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One such organisation voicing their concern is Kicks Count, the UK's leading baby movement resource and awareness campaign.
Taking to social media, the campaign group said they had been contacted by a 'sheer number of people' over 'incorrect advice about baby movement in the final episodes.'
The group said this misinformation could have 'potentially dangerous consequences'.
"We wont go into detail about what's contained in the episodes to not further contribute to the misinformation but, instead, we'll remind you of this," the post said.
"A baby's movements are a sign of their wellbeing. If someone tells you their baby has stopped moving, or movement has reduced or changed, please tell them to call their Maternity Unit without delay. If you notice your baby isn't moving as much, or something seems wrong, trust your instincts . Your Maternity Unit team are there for you 24/7 and they want to support you."
Northumbria Maternity Voices Partnership Facebook group, which shares information for expecting parents in the local area, also took to social media to warn women under their care of the current information and guidelines.
They repeated Kick Count's message, stating that the use of a home doppler, used to hear a baby's heartbeat in the womb, is 'actively discouraged' by medical professionals and organisations 'due to the potential risk they pose.'
"Your baby having a heartbeat doesn't necessarily mean they're well and reassurance given by them can be false," the post stated. "It's vital that both mother and baby's health is checked by a medical professional as soon as possible if your baby's movements worry you."
People on the Kicks Count's page were quick to respond to the post, with many calling for a information screen with up to date guidance at the beginning of the episodes.
One person said: "I think it should have been pointed out more clearly at the beginning of each episode that this was actually set in the early 2000s as they come from the diaries of former Dr Adam Kay. There was a brief scene showing Big Brother from 2006 but it wasn't obvious enough. There should have been an information screen at the beginning each time."
Another Facebook user said: "They definitely need a disclaimer..." and suggested reaching out to Adam Kay directly for action.
Adam Kay did respond to concerns raised over the medical misinformation on the show.
The writer tweeted: "A note about ep7 of #ThisIsGoingToHurt, for the iPlayerers. The use of home dopplers (buying a widget to listen to baby’s heartbeat yourself) is strongly discouraged. This is the 2020 advice from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists."
He accompanied the tweet with a photo of a paragraph from the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists, which says the RCOG 'strongly discourages the use of fetal home dopplers'.
The BBC do have several resources for information and support, including links to resources to pregnancy related issues, available on their website. The broadcaster's This is Going to Hurt page does redirect people to BBC Action Line Page, where a link to Kick Counts website can be found.
For more information on Kick Counts and their guideline, visit here.
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