{"id":1379,"date":"2023-02-19T15:06:51","date_gmt":"2023-02-19T15:06:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/novac-md\/?p=1379"},"modified":"2023-02-27T15:11:55","modified_gmt":"2023-02-27T15:11:55","slug":"everything-you-should-know-about-fetal-monitoring-efm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/novac-md\/everything-you-should-know-about-fetal-monitoring-efm\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything You Should Know About Fetal Monitoring & EFM"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fetal heart rate monitoring or simply fetal monitoring is a technique used in medicine to monitor the fetus’s heart rate and development rhythm during pregnancy. This technique usually involves putting a fetal heart rate monitor on the mother’s stomach to observe the fetal heart rate and show it on a display.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

This test is most often done during the late stage of pregnancy and during labor. The typical fetal heart rate ranges between 110 and 160 beats per minute; the variations can include 5 to 25 beats per minute. The uterine environment can affect the heart rate results, which can change depending on the in-utero conditions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When the results of the fetal monitoring are seen as abnormal, the baby is lacking oxygen or facing some other issues. Whatever the case might be, you need to consult your chosen medical provider immediately to start working on resolving the problems and normalizing the fetal heart rate as soon as possible.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are two main types of fetal heart rate monitoring, internal and external, which will be elaborated on in more detail later in the article.<\/span><\/p>\n

As mentioned, any type of irregularity in this test results means you have to consult your doctor and work on resolving the issue. This means that your chosen medical professional needs to be an experienced expert who is knowledgeable enough to help you in addressing the problem. There are different clinics offering guidance and support, such as <\/span>ACE OBGYN<\/span><\/a>, where the team is experienced and ready to help you with this particular situation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of Fetal Heart Monitoring\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n

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As previously noted, there are two ways to monitor the fetal heart rate, i.e., the external and the internal method.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

External fetal monitoring is when the doctor uses a device to listen to the baby’s heartbeat via the mother’s abdomen. Ultrasound technology is used in this method. It is a non-invasive approach used most often during labor and delivery to monitor the baby’s health.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most popular types of monitors is the Doppler ultrasound device, where the transducer or the probe is fastened to the mother’s stomach, and in that way, the heartbeat sounds are directly sent to the computer screen. The screen shows the fetal heart rate and pattern, and the results are printed on a piece of paper. The Doppler ultrasound is used because it includes very low to no risks to the safety of the mother and the baby.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

When it comes to preparation and the exam itself, here is some information and a few tips, so you can feel more confident and relaxed:<\/span><\/p>\n