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Fetal heart monitoring

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.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer Sarah Anne Marshall, MD - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Kirtly Jones, MD - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Revised January 7, 2010

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: /2, 10 1
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