What is bitbaby?
bitbaby provides expectant mothers with a clear understanding of their baby’s regular pattern of movement and well-being during pregnancy.
The story of bitbaby
Partnered with Nova Venture Studios to develop the product and business
Raised significant investment from both VC’s, the British Bank’s Future Fund and Innovate UK
Built user guidance panel of over 350 mothers, along with a network of obstetricians, midwives and researchers to support development
Conducted feasibility trial using a prototype of the device on 23 pregnant women in concurrence with an ultrasound scan, with bitbaby demonstrating a better success rate of detecting smaller fetal movements than maternal perception.
The midwife behind bitbaby
In 2018, with over 20 years of experience as a midwife, the founder of bitbaby took the first steps in creating the bitbaby device.
Having seen so many women experiencing anxiety in the latter stages of pregnancy – unsure about their baby’s movement, there had to be a better way. So the idea of a wearable device that monitors fetal movement was born.
Since 2019, bitbaby has created several prototypes, carried out rigorous clinical tests and received significant investment and grants to develop the device. Working with the NHS and Tommy’s, bitbaby is in the final stages of development.
Research
Since 2018 bitbaby has created and tested several prototypes, building a user guidance panel of over 350 mothers, along with a network of obstetricians, midwives and researchers to support development.
We have conducted feasibility trials using a prototype of the device on 23 pregnant women in concurrence with an ultrasound scan via Ultrasound Care Liverpool, with bitbaby demonstrating a better success rate of detecting smaller fetal movements than maternal perception.
In addition, a second feasibility study was conducted in October 2022 in collaboration with our development partner, which helped us further refine our algorithm.
Since then, bitbaby has partnered with esteemed Professor Heazell and his team at Tommy’s Research Centre. In collaboration with St Mary’s NHS Trust and the University of Manchester, bitbaby will perform clinical trials in 2023.
This will allow the device and app to meet regulatory requirements and conformity assessment as a Class IIa medical device under UK regulations.
Over time, the data collected will contribute to a fetal movement dataset that can be used to inform future research and advancement, as well as the refinement of the movement detection algorithm.
Have a question about our research?
A note from the founder
My idea for bitbaby materialised from my midwifery experience.
I have always been passionate about ensuring pregnant mothers and their partners receive the highest standard of care so they can have a positive pregnancy and birthing experience. bitbaby empowers pregnant women by helping them to feel more in control of their pregnancy, more confident and trusting of their maternal instincts. My hope is by wearing bitbaby during pregnancy, mothers will feel empowered to ask questions and be more involved with decisions in regard to their care.
What mums are saying
“During my first pregnancy I found it difficult to recognise my baby’s normal pattern of movements…”
Lucy
Lucy’s Story
During my first pregnancy I found it difficult to recognise my baby’s normal pattern of movements when I was working during the day. I knew that she moved a lot during the late evening, and struggled to pick up clear patterns during the day. Towards the end of my pregnancy, as I began to work less and eventually went on maternity leave, I had a handful of occasions where I didn’t think she had moved very much. As I didn’t really know whether this was normal for her, I went into the hospital for monitoring. Each time, everything was fine, she was just having a long afternoon nap, something that continued after she was born!
The last episode of perceived reduced movements happened the day before my due day, and so, despite the baby being fine every time, I was told they were planning on inducing me straight away. At this point, it was identified that my blood pressure was high, for the first time in my pregnancy, which added to the insistence on an induction. Whilst my birth experience was, overall, still very positive, I’d been expecting to wait at least another week longer and didn’t feel I was mentally prepared for it to happen so soon!
I’m now pregnant with my second, and this time my placenta is at the front making it harder to feel moments, so I’ll have to pay extra attention to the pattern of movement this time around!
Mission
Empowering and reassuring expectant parents to enjoy their pregnancy experience, with the knowledge that their baby is moving.
The team
Rachael Curran
Founder / Registered Midwife
Rachael is a registered midwife with over 20 years experience and a certified hypnobirthing teacher. Highly experienced and dedicated midwife who is passionate about maternal healthcare, now combining clinical expertise with health technology innovation to create bitbaby.
Charlotte Corke
Co Founder & Innovation Manager
Charlotte is an experienced Innovation Facilitator and Product Manager, who has worked with multiple health tech and AI startups. Her core skills include user engagement, project and team management, business modelling and financial planning. Her passion is reducing commercial risk by connecting with customers and end users throughout the development process, to drive successful product development and improvement.
Clare Curran
Co Founder & Design Lead
Clare is an experienced designer within health tech. She brings a diverse skill set that spans UI/UX, branding, prototyping, and mentorship, with a focus on clean, elegant user experiences that communicate purposefully and effectively. Clare’s passion for design is contagious, and she is committed to fostering collaboration and support within our team. She is dedicated to delivering a positive, results-driven approach to every aspect of bitbaby.
Michael Craven
Marketing Executive
Mike is a seasoned marketing consultant known for delivering comprehensive marketing support across diverse industries. At bitbaby, he collaborates closely with the team to ideate and execute robust strategies across a spectrum of marketing channels.
David Wood
Media Producer
David is the talented media producer at bitbaby, With an exceptional eye for detail and a flair for engaging storytelling, David brings bitbaby’s vision to life through his innovative approach and dedication to excellence, delivering content that captivates and resonates with our audience.
Our ethos
At bitbaby, we hold a deep commitment to advocating for the safety and wellbeing of unborn babies and expectant parents. This commitment drives our every action and decision, as we strive to create a world where families thrive with confidence and support.
Advocate
We champion the rights and wellbeing of unborn babies and their parents. We raise our voices and resources to stand up for what is right, ensuring that no family feels alone during their pregnancy journey. By advocating for education, empowerment, and access to necessary resources, we work tirelessly to create a safer and more nurturing environment for every expectant parent.
Reassurance
We aim to provide a steadfast source of reassurance and support. We understand the worries and anxieties that come with the journey of parenthood. Our community is built on trust, and within its embrace, expectant parents find solace, empathy, and encouragement. We extend our support to each other, fostering a network of individuals who understand and uplift one another.
Reliable
We stand as a reliable pillar of information and guidance for expectant parents. Our commitment to being a constant and accessible resource ensures that families have the knowledge they need, exactly when they need it. With up-to-date information and expert insights, we empower parents to make informed decisions for themselves and their growing families.
Openness and Honesty
Complex situations demand transparent conversations. We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards of open communication and honesty. When faced with intricate challenges, we embrace these moments as opportunities to share information openly and promptly. By approaching every situation with candor, we build trust and strengthen our community.
In every facet of our work, we embody these core values, creating a space where families can confidently navigate the pregnancy journey. We are dedicated to advocating, reassuring, and supporting expectant parents. Together, we champion the safety, wellbeing, and happiness of every growing family.
Help us develop bitbaby
We are looking for feedback on our device and would love to hear your thoughts. Sign up to get involved.
By clicking ‘Subscribe’ you agree to Terms & Conditions
Download your checklist for what to pack and bring with you for the birth of your baby
Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy
Company number 15701437 51 Burnie Avenue, Bootle, England, L20 0BN bitbaby ©2025