After a September review last year, the TGA delisted all home-use foetal heart monitors from the Australian Registry of Therapeutic Goods, rendering them unapproved for sale or advertisement in Australia.

Nonetheless, the illegal sale of both new and second-hand devices persists, with the TGA cautioning that these devices may deliver “dangerously misleading” information.

They are commonly used by health professionals during pregnancy checkups, but in recent years had become widely available to the public.

Following the ban, the TGA has urged people concerned about their unborn baby’s wellbeing to seek “immediate” attention from their midwife or doctor.

Untrained use of an illicit monitor can provide falsely reassuring data.

Medical professionals have also been urged to remind parents-to-be of the dangers associated with the devices.

Criminal and civil penalties apply for selling therapeutic goods excluded from the ARTG.