Monitoring fetal heart rate is a test used both during a person’s pregnancy and during labor. Health providers usually use a fetal heart monitor to keep track of the baby’s health and make sure everything is developing as it should be.
There are different kinds of fetal monitoring, from manual and Doppler monitoring to electronic fetal monitoring, which occurs during delivery and labor. There are also different devices used at home. In this article, we will bring more detailed information on different types of fetal heart monitors, what the process entails, and why it is crucial to start monitoring the fetal heart rate.
A fetal heart rate monitor measures the baby’s heartbeat so the doctors know whether everything is in order or if the baby is facing certain health issues. Although it is a standard procedure, many people are curious why it is done; below is information that will help clarify what makes pregnancy heart monitoring so important.
Every pregnant individual wants to ensure that their baby is developing properly, and among a variety of procedures, fetal monitoring is also something used often by specialists to make sure everything is going as planned. My OBGYN Specialists is one of the many clinics offering services of fetal heart rate monitoring, so if you are looking for experienced experts, this is a place to research and visit.
Why Do I Need Fetal Monitoring?
The procedure of pregnancy heart monitoring is created to track the pattern and speed of the infant’s heartbeat. During the monitoring process, the healthcare provider is able to tell the patient if the heart rate is too slow or too fast and if there are other issues. On average, a baby’s heart rate goes from 110 to 160 beats per minute. Certain fluctuations in the rhythm can range from six to 25 beats per minute over a period of ten minutes. These are considered normal.
Different irregularities which occur in the baby’s heartbeat are signals that the infant is having health issues, such as lack of oxygen. This test helps your chosen medical provider determine which tests to do next to avoid additional complications.
When it comes to situations when pregnancy heart monitoring is done, the most common are as follows:
- During prenatal visits, your doctor checks the baby’s heartbeat as a part of a regular prenatal routine.
- When a person has a high-risk pregnancy, fetal heart rate monitoring is a standard procedure; the issues which can lead to high-risk pregnancy are diabetes, bleeding, and preeclampsia, so it is crucial to monitor the baby regularly.
- The doctors monitor the baby’s heart rate during delivery and labor.
Types of Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring
Fetal monitoring can be external and internal. The external kind is done outside of the pregnant woman’s abdomen using the following devices:
- Fetoscope: This is an instrument used to listen to the baby’s heartbeat, and it resembles a stethoscope used for adults when doctors want to examine our lungs and heart. It is shaped like a cone at the end, and the doctor presses it on the patient’s stomach to hear the baby’s heartbeat.
- Handheld Doppler ultrasound: The Doppler ultrasound is used to measure the baby’s heart rate by using sound waves. This is an instrument usually used during prenatal visits. The doctor uses a gel on the abdomen and a probe. While moving the probe, the heartbeat is detected and displayed on the monitor.
- Continuous Doppler ultrasound: This type of ultrasound is used during delivery, where the doctor uses continuous electronic monitoring of the fetus. The ultrasound device is held on the belly, wrapped with a strap, while another strap holds the instrument, which measures the contractions. A continuous reading of the baby’s heartbeat is shown on a monitor in front of the doctors so they can follow it during labor and delivery.
The internal type of fetal heart rate monitoring is used less often, and it includes monitoring of the baby through the mother’s uterus. A wire is attached to the baby’s head, so the heart rate is continuously tracked. This is most often used during delivery, only after the water breaks, and when the results of the external electronic monitoring are unreliable or the doctor needs more precise results.
As mentioned, at-home fetal monitors also exist, but the question is whether they’re safe. Although many devices have been available for at-home use until now, there are certain reasons why experts do not recommend using devices such as these at home, and they include:
- Ultrasound can heat the tissue and create tiny bubbles in the tissue.
- The devices are not medically necessary.
- There is no control over how often and how long people use the devices.
- People need additional training to know how to use the device and read the results accurately.
- Inaccurate results might be produced, meaning that the parents have a false picture of the state of their baby’s health (positive or negative).
Risks of Fetal Monitoring
Generally, fetal heart rate monitoring is considered to be a very safe procedure. That said, many experts claim that in low-risk pregnancies, there is no need to monitor the baby continuously due to certain possible limitations.
While continuous electronic fetal monitoring restricts the patient’s movement during labor, which is helpful, it can also increase the risk of having a cesarean section or a delivery where the medical professional uses forceps or a vacuum device to deliver the infant.
When it comes to internal monitoring devices, there is a risk of injuring the baby’s head, suffocating it, exposing the mother to infections, or transmitting genital herpes or HIV from the mother to the child.
What If the Results Show Irregularities?
Sometimes the fetal monitoring process shows an irregular heartbeat or rhythm. This does not have to necessarily mean that your baby is sick, but additional tests might be needed. If the irregularities in the heart rate last longer than ten minutes at a time, this can mean that you need to deliver the baby immediately, via a C-section or vaginally. It is crucial not to panic and follow your doctor’s instructions.
Contact Us!
Fetal heart rate monitoring is one of those tests done regularly and can be crucial to your baby’s health. Make sure you do not forget to schedule your appointment because it might be of extreme importance for the healthy development of your child. Contact us, and we will make sure you are taken care of every step of the way.
Future mothers are one of the most frequent categories of patients in our clinic, so our expert team has plenty of experience in caring for both infants and mothers. We will be there for you, so give us a call!