What is a fetal heart monitor and how is it done?

The fetal heart rate monitor is one of the diagnostic methods that some people confuse with the fetal heart rate monitor. In this article, fetal heart rate monitoring is fully explained.

What is a fetal heart monitor?

With this, you can see the care of your child's heart condition. Your fetal heart doctor may monitor the fetal heart during late pregnancy and delivery. The average fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. In response to uterine conditions, the fetal heart rate may change. An abnormal fetal heart rate may mean that your baby is not getting enough oxygen or there may be other problems. How dangerous is it to study fetal heart arrhythmia?

Types of fetal heart monitoring

### External fetal heart rate monitor In this method, they use a device to listen and record your baby's heartbeat from the abdomen. This method is a kind of monitoring with a Doppler ultrasound device. This is often used at prenatal visits to count the baby's heart rate. It may also be used to check the fetal heart rate during delivery. A midwife or gynecologist may also check your baby's heartbeat during labor. ### Internal fetal heart rate monitor In this method, a thin wire (electrode) is used that is placed on the scalp of your child. سیم از طریق دهانه رحم مادر از کودک به مانیتور متصل است. This method provides a better review as it is not affected by things like movement. But this is only possible if the sac filled with fluids in which the child is surrounded during pregnancy (amniotic sac) is torn and the cervix is opened. When external monitoring is not very accurate, your doctor may use internal monitoring. Your doctor may also use this method to take extra care of your baby during labor. During labor, your doctor will monitor your baby's heartbeat and uterine contractions. Your doctor will note how often you have contractions and how long each one lasts. Because the heartbeat and contractions of the fetus are recorded simultaneously; These results can be checked and compared. Your doctor may check your intrauterine pressure while performing a fetal heart monitor. To do this, he or she will insert a thin tube (catheter) through your cervix and into your uterus. The catheter transmits uterine pressure to a monitor.

In what cases do we need a fetal heart monitor?

If you have gestational diabetes or high blood pressure, your pregnancy is very dangerous. It is also very dangerous if your child is not growing or developing properly. Fetal heart rate monitoring can be used to check the effect of drugs used to prevent premature labor on the baby. These are drugs used to prevent premature labor. A fetal heart monitor may be used for other tests, including: - **Stress test:** This test measures the heart rate of the fetus when the fetus moves. - **Contraction stress test:** This test measures the heart rate of the fetus along with uterine contractions. Contractions are started with medication or other methods. - **Biophysical characteristics (BPP):** This test is a combination of a stress test and ultrasound.

- uterine contractions - Painkillers or anesthetics given to you during delivery - Tests that are performed during childbirth - Forward pressure in the second stage of labor

Your doctor may have other reasons for using fetal heart rate monitoring.

Dangers and complications of the fetal heart monitor

Harmful radiation is not used for this test. The converter usually does not cause any discomfort. The elastic straps that hold the transducers in place may be a bit uncomfortable. These can be readjusted if necessary. In some types of fetal heart rate monitoring, you have to lie down. You may need to stay in bed during labor. In internal monitoring, you may have some discomfort when the electrode is placed in the uterus. Risks of internal monitoring include infection and bruising of the scalp or other parts of your baby's body. **Note:** If you have HIV, you should not measure the internal heartbeat of the fetus. Because you may pass the infection to your child. Depending on your specific health condition, there may be other risks. Be sure to talk to your doctor about any concerns you have before doing this. Certain cases may make the fetal heart rate monitor results less accurate. These include:

- Maternal obesity - position or position of the fetus or mother - A large amount of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios) - the cervix is not opened or the amniotic sac is not opened; Because both of these things must happen to perform internal monitoring

What is the previous preparation for cardiac monitoring?

1- The doctor explains the procedure to you. You should ask him any questions about this method. 2- You may be asked to sign a consent form to allow these procedures. Read the form carefully and if some parts are not clear, ask the relevant questions. 3- The consent form for the fetal heart monitor may be part of your consent for labor and the birth of the baby. 4- If you are sensitive to any kind of medicine, latex, adhesive tape or anesthetic, inform your doctor. 5- If the fetal heart rate monitor is performed along with another test, you may be asked to eat a meal before the test. This can help your child be more active. 6- The amniotic sac must be opened and your cervix must be opened several centimeters for the internal device to be placed in place. 7- Follow other instructions your doctor gives you to prepare.

What happens during fetal heart rate monitoring?

You may have this procedure done in your doctor's office or in a hospital. The method of performing the test may be different depending on your condition and the decision of your doctor. In general, fetal heart rate monitoring follows these steps: ### Steps of fetal external heart rate monitor 1- Depending on the type of operation, you may be asked to undress from the waist down. Or you may need to take off all your clothes and change into a hospital gown. 2- You will lie on your back on the examination bed. 3- The doctor places a clear gel on your stomach. 4- The doctor presses the transducer on your skin. It moves its head until it finds the fetal heartbeat. You can hear the fetal heartbeat with a doppler or electronic monitor. 5- During labor, the doctor may check the heartbeat of the fetus at intervals or without stopping, based on the conditions of you and your child. 6- For continuous electronic monitoring, the doctor connects the transducer to the monitor with the corresponding cable. A wide elastic belt is placed around you to hold the transducer in place. 7- The doctor records the heartbeat of the fetus. With continuous monitoring, the fetal heart pattern is displayed on the computer screen and printed on paper. 8- You may not be able to get out of bed while monitoring the external heartbeat of the fetus. 9- After completing the above steps, remove the gel.

1- You will be asked to take off your clothes and put on hospital clothes. 2- You will lie on the delivery bed. Your legs will be placed in the same position as a pelvic exam. 3- Your doctor performs a vaginal examination with gloves to see how open the cervix is. This may be a little uncomfortable. 4- If the amniotic sac is still healthy, your doctor may open the membranes with an instrument. You will feel warm liquid coming out of the vagina. 5- Your doctor feels part of the fetus in the cervix with gloved fingers. This is usually the baby's head. 6- The doctor places a thin tube (catheter) in your vagina. He places a small wire at the end of the catheter on the fetus's scalp. He gently places it on the fetus's skin. 7- The doctor removes the catheter and leaves the wire on the scalp of the fetus. 8- The doctor connects the wire to the monitor cable. He holds it in place with a band around your thigh. 9- You may not be able to get out of bed with a continuous fetal heart rate monitor. 10- After the baby is born, the doctor removes the wire.

What happens after the fetal heart rate monitor?

After external fetal heart rate monitoring, you do not need any special care. You may return to your normal diet and activity; Unless your doctor tells you otherwise. After internal fetal heart rate monitoring, the doctor will check your baby's scalp for infection, bruising, or cuts. The provider cleans the site with a disinfectant. Your doctor may give other instructions based on your condition. **Dr. Saeed Bitarafan, pediatric and fetal cardiology specialist**

Use the following articles to read more. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/fetal-heart-rate-monitoring-during-labor https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/fetal-heart-monitoring