Fitness Trackers Flag Pregnancy Before Tests for Hundreds, Raising Anxiety Over Miscarriage Signals
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jul 19
Fitness Trackers Flag Pregnancy Before Tests for Hundreds, Raising Anxiety Over Miscarriage Signals
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jul 19
Summary
Hundreds of women report smart rings and watches showing pregnancy signs before missed periods or positive tests, with elevated temperature and heart rate and lower heart-rate variability appearing first.
Ravika, 34, said her Oura ring warned of strain before she tested positive, and she became fixated on the data during a 10-day wait for follow-up checks before later miscarrying.
Sofia, 32, said temperature drops on her ring preceded two miscarriages, leaving her mentally prepared but anxious enough to remove the device during the first trimester of a later healthy pregnancy.
Dr Stuart Lavery of University College Hospital said wearables may be outpacing the evidence base and could send anxiety "skyrocketing" without stronger reliability data and research.
UK adoption is broadening the issue: 36% of British adults used a fitness tracker in January 2026, while Oura says the ring is a support tool rather than a replacement for medical care.