Fetal monitoring during pregnancy is done to check the baby’s heart rate. It gives an idea of how the baby is doing  and how well he is tolerating contractions. There are two types of fetal monitoring during labor.

• Auscultation which is a method of periodically listening to the fetal heart beat
• Electronic fetal heart monitoring which is a procedure in which instruments are used to continuously monitor the fetal heart beat and contractions of the mother

 

 
The method used depends on the health care provider and hospital policy, how long labor has been going on and your risk for complications.

How is auscultation performed ?

 
It is done either using a special stethoscope or a device called doppler transducer.  When the transducer is pressed on the pregnant woman’s belly, the fetal heart beat is heard. This method is used by the health care provider to check the fetal heart rate at set times during labor. If you are at risk for complications or if there is a problem with labor, then the heart rate will be checked more often.

How is electronic fetal monitoring performed ?

 
This uses a special machine to monitor the baby’s heart rate in response to contractions. It provides an ongoing report that can be read by the health care provider. Your health care provider will review  the report at set times. If there is a problems, he will review the report more frequently.

Electronic fetal monitoring can be external, internal or both. You may need to stay in bed for this but it is possible to move around in bed  to find a more comfortable position.

How is eternal monitoring performed ?

 
During this method , a pair of belt is wrapped around the abdomen.  One belt uses a doppler to measure fetal heart rate. The other belt measures the length of contractions and the time in between them.

How is the internal monitoring performed ?

 
During this method, a wire known as an electrode is used. It is placed on the part of the baby closest to the cervix. This part is usually the scalp. The device records the fetal heart rate. Uterine contractions are also monitored using   a special tube called an intrauterine pressure catheter that is inserted through the vagina into your uterus. Internal monitoring can only be done after the amniotic sac has raptured.

What happens if my fetal heart rate pattern is abnormal ?

 
An abnormal pattern may not always mean that something is wrong. Your health care provider will perform further tests to get a better idea of what is going on. He will take further steps to get the baby enough oxygen such as making you change your position. If these steps do not work and further testing suggests that the baby has a problem, the doctor may decide to deliver the baby right away.  The delivery is more likely to be a cesarean section or with forceps vacuum extraction.
 
Content Sources