Project Stardust – Continuous fetal monitoring research

A critical gap in pregnancy monitoring

Despite advances in prenatal care, stillbirth rates in developed nations have remained largely unchanged for two decades. We know that additional monitoring reduces stillbirths and adverse outcomes – but it's currently only available in-hospital and to a small fraction of parents.

~24,000
US stillbirths each year1 in 150 births: Harvard/Mass General Brigham, 2025; 55%
Potentially preventablewith existing technology: Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network, JAMA 2011; >70%
Fetal growth restriction undiagnoseduntil after birth: Gardosi et al., BMJ 2013; 8×
Higher stillbirth riskwith undetected fetal growth restriction: Gardosi et al., BMJ 2013

Why early detection matters

Current prenatal care relies on periodic snapshots; ultrasounds every few weeks, occasional non-stress tests. Yet conditions like fetal growth restriction (FGR) develop gradually, and warning signs often emerge between clinical visits.

Research shows that when FGR is detected early, outcomes improve dramatically; detection roughly halves stillbirth risk. But with limited sonographer availability, most women receive only 2–3 ultrasounds throughout pregnancy, leaving dangerous conditions unidentified.

The kick counting problem

Today, most mothers’ primary tool for monitoring their baby is “kick counting” – tracking fetal movements manually. But this method is time-intensive, subjective, and by the time movement patterns change noticeably, it’s often too late for intervention.

“There is urgent need to improve detection and monitoring of FGR to improve outcomes. Short-term recordings limit their utility.”Frontiers in Physiology, 2022

Impact of antenatal FGR detection on stillbirth rates

Stillbirth rate with and without antenatal fetal growth restriction (FGR) detection.

19.8per 1,000UndetectedFGR not identified before birth

9.7per 1,000DetectedFGR identified antenatally

>50% reduction

Source: Gardosi et al., BMJ 2013 (n = 92,218 pregnancies).

Methodological note. Improved outcomes in detected cases are largely due to earlier, well-timed delivery (median 10 days earlier than undetected cases). This is an observational association, not a causal claim about any single intervention. Presented for research context; Project Stardust does not make clinical efficacy claims about its own device.

What parents are asking for

50% of mothers worry about fetal movement during pregnancy and ~10% go to hospital at some point just for reassurance. Here’s what expectant parents told us they want:

“A way for baby to be continuously monitored but also in a way that they are not disturbed. I could then get updates whenever I wanted to check on baby.”
“Having a keyhole view on what’s going on – making sure my baby still has a heartbeat, growing at the rate expected.”
“A device that tracks kicks FOR you instead of having to sit there and try to keep track of them.”
“Like one of those diabetes monitors but on my belly.”
“An easy to use app that tracks my baby’s growth, health stats, and movements in real time.”
“A wearable that safely tracks the baby’s heartbeat and movements, synced with an app that gives clear daily updates and alerts my doctor if something seems off.”

Source: Berkeley Human-Centered Design parent interviews, 2025.

From co-founder, Kathryn

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