Market Challenges And Opportunities

Intrapartum Monitoring Devices Market Drivers

New product launches by key market players is expected to aid in growth of the intrapartum monitoring device market. For instance, in 2017, MindChild Madical Inc. received clearance for pre-marketing notification from the US FDA for its MERIDIAN M110 fetal monitoring device. The system is a non-invasive intrapartum fetal monitor equipped with electrode that externally measures fetal heart rate (FHR), maternal heart rate (MHR), and uterine contractions (UA). Moreover, in 2015, Monica Healthcare Ltd. (now a part of GE Healthcare) launched novel product, Novii Wireless Patch System. The Novii Patch is a single-use, peel-and-stick disposable patch that is attached to the woman’s abdomen with a higher body mass index (BMI), with the help of adhesives.

Growth of the intrapartum monitoring device market is majorly driven by high incidence of intrapartum-related neonatal deaths. According to the Maternal and Child Epidemiology Estimation Group, in 2013, intrapartum-related neonatal deaths accounted for 24% of the deaths in neonates, globally. Therefore, in order to decrease neonatal stillbirths and intrapartum-related deaths, demand for intrapartum monitoring device is increasing, in turn leading to intrapartum monitoring devices market growth. Furthermore, a survey conducted in the U.K. suggests that in 2015, 225 babies died due to intrapartum stillbirth and intrapartum-related neonatal deaths. According to UNICEF, intrapartum-related events caused 11% whereas, preterm birth complications caused 16% of death among neonates in 2016. According to The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, over 85% of the 4,000,000 live births occurring in the U.S. during 2011 required fetal monitoring during labor and delivery.

Intrapartum Monitoring Devices Market Restrain

Increasing adoption of out-of-hospital births is expected to be a major restraining factor for growth of the market. For these out-of-hospitals births, equipment and monitoring devices such as fetal monitoring devices are not required. Moreover, it also requires professionally skilled person for operating these devices. For instance, according to Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the percentage of out-of-hospital births increased from 0.87% in the U.S. in 2004 to 1.36% in 2012.