Fetal heart monitoring measures a baby's (fetus's) heart rate
during pregnancy or labor and delivery. These measurements can help health
professionals check a fetus's general condition and identify early signs of
distress.
During labor and delivery, the fetal heart rate is closely watched
along with the mother's uterine contractions (using a tocometer) to see how the
baby is responding and whether any treatments, such as the use of medicines,
are needed to help speed up delivery.
Two types of monitoring-external or internal-can be done.
- For external monitoring, instruments that
detect fetal heartbeats are placed around the pregnant woman's
abdomen.
- For internal monitoring, electrodes that measure fetal
heartbeats are connected to the fetus's scalp. Internal monitoring is not done
if there is placenta previa, a condition where the placenta is low and just
above the cervix, because of the risk of bleeding.
