Fetal Monitoring

About this topic

Fetal monitoring is a way to check how your baby is doing while you are in labor. Two kinds of tools may be used. One watches your babys heart rate. The other one measures your contractions. The staff watch for any signs of stress in your baby or changes in your baby's normal heart rate pattern. It is important to see how your baby responds when you have a contraction. During this time, your baby is squeezed inside of your womb. Most babies handle this well but some babies may have more trouble than others. Fetal monitoring is a way to tell which babies may need help. When certain changes are seen, steps can be taken to help your baby. ‚

General

There two types of fetal monitoring done during labor. These are auscultation and electronic fetal monitoring. ‚

Listening to the heartbeat only at certain times during labor is called auscultation. The doctor may use a small handheld tool that uses ultrasound to hear the babys heart rate. This is called a Doppler. It is the same tool the doctor used during your visits before the baby was born.
One more tool is a special kind of stethoscope called a fetoscope. The doctor can use it to listen to your baby's heartbeat.
Electronic tools are often used to listen to your baby's heartbeat continuously. It also tracks your contractions. You may need to stay in bed with this kind of monitoring. Some hospitals have wireless tools that let you walk around. There are two kinds of electronic tools to follow your baby's heartbeat.
- You may be asked to wear two belts around your belly. One watches the baby's heart rate and the other watches your contractions. It most often prints on paper near your bedside and the staff watches it closely. This is called external monitoring.
- Sometimes, a small electrode is placed on your baby's scalp to record the baby's heart rate. A thin tube may be placed into your womb through your birth canal. This would monitor your contractions. These are called internal monitors because they go inside of your body. You can only have internal monitors after your water has broken. This may be used for higher risk births or if there is trouble with the external monitors.

Why is this procedure done?

In many cases, women in labor wear a fetal monitor during labor, even if there are no risk factors. If there are risk factors, your doctor will want to be sure to watch your babys heart rate. The risk factors are things like having: ‚

A high-risk pregnancy
A fever
An I.V. and a drug called Pitocin to start labor
An epidural to help with pain
A baby who is born before of after the due date
A multiple pregnancy like twins or triplets

What problems could happen?

It is normal for the babys heart rate to change. For example, the baby's heart rate should go up when the baby is moving. If the baby's heart rate changes are worrisome for the staff, your doctor will try to find out the cause. You may be asked to change positions. You may be given extra I.V. fluids or oxygen. If these things do not help, other tests and procedures may be needed. Your baby may need to be delivered right away. This may mean you need a cesarean birth or C-section. Your doctor may also try to use forceps or other tools to help deliver your baby quickly. ‚

Where can I learn more?

American Academy of Family Physicians ‚
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/1215/p1398.html ‚
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists ‚
http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq015.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120515T1718573557 ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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