As excited as you are about to become a mother, it's normal to feel a little anxious and curious about little things. Especially about your baby's health. So today we're going to talk about how doctors check the heartbeat of your little one in your womb. We call this `(Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring)`. Simply put, it's about checking how the baby's heart is working.
Why is this baby's heartbeat being monitored so much? (`Why is fetal heart rate monitoring done?`)
Just think, it's hard for us to tell exactly how a baby is doing while they're still in the womb. So, doctors can largely tell if the baby is doing well, getting the right amount of oxygen, and if there are any other problems by checking the baby's heartbeat.
Normally, a baby's heart rate should be between 110 and 160 beats per minute while growing in the womb. This heart rate is not constant, and there are small fluctuations. It is normal for the heart rate to fluctuate between 6 and 25 beats over a 10-minute period (moderate fluctuations). This means that the baby is active and doing well.
However, if this heartbeat is unusually slow, fast, or irregular , it could mean that the baby is not getting enough oxygen or that there is another problem. If the doctor sees something like this, they may do further tests or even decide to deliver the baby early (emergency delivery).
When is this heartbeat checked? (`When is it done?`)
You have several options for taking this test:
- Prenatal visits: You've probably seen the baby's heartbeat checked every time you visit the doctor while you're expecting. It's part of a routine checkup.
- High-risk pregnancies: If you have a high risk of complications during your pregnancy (for example, conditions like preeclampsia, diabetes, or bleeding during pregnancy), doctors will monitor the baby's heartbeat more frequently.
- During the birth of your baby: During labor and delivery, doctors and nurses will continue to monitor your baby's heartbeat. This will help them know how your baby is coping with the pain of labor.
What are the types of fetal heart rate monitoring?
There are two main ways to see this heartbeat. One is to do it outside the abdomen, and the other is to do it inside the uterus.
External monitoring
This is what is used most often. You place this device on your stomach.
- Fetoscope: This is similar to the stethoscope that doctors use to listen to your heart and lungs, but it has a cone-shaped end. The doctor places this on your belly and listens to the baby's heartbeat.
- Handheld Doppler ultrasound: You've probably seen this at the clinic. A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to measure your baby's heartbeat. The doctor will apply a gel to your abdomen, place this small device on top of it, and listen to your baby's heartbeat. The heartbeat will be displayed on a screen.
Some people buy these ``Handheld Doppler`` devices for home use. However, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says that using these at home is not a good idea. There are reasons for that, and we will talk about them later.
- Continuous Doppler ultrasound: During your pregnancy, your doctor may decide to continuously monitor your baby's heartbeat. They will attach an ultrasound device to your abdomen with an elastic band. They will also attach a device to your uterus that measures contractions. The information from both devices will be displayed continuously on a monitor.
Internal monitoring
This is a little less common. It's done by sending a small device into the uterus. A doctor attaches a small wire-like device to the baby's scalp. This allows for continuous, very accurate heart rate monitoring.
But this ``internal monitoring'' is only done when the baby is about to be born, when your water has broken, and in situations like these:
- If the results from external ``electronic fetal monitoring'' are unclear or difficult to trust.
- If you want to see the heartbeat more accurately.
Are there any risks to monitoring this heartbeat? (`What are the risks of fetal heart rate monitoring?`)
In general, it is safe to monitor the baby's heartbeat. However, many experts believe that it is not necessary to continuously monitor the heartbeat in low-risk pregnancies.
- Continuous electronic fetal monitoring: This limits your freedom to move around. Sometimes moving around during labor can help reduce pain. Also, this continuous `(monitoring)` may increase the risk of an unnecessary cesarean section . Or you may need to remove the baby with a `(vacuum)` device or forceps.
- Internal monitoring: This may involve some risks:
- There may be a small wound on the skin of the baby's head.
- The mother may have an infection.
- If the mother has diseases such as HIV or genital herpes, the chance of transmitting it to the baby may be slightly increased.
Are at-home fetal heart rate monitors safe?
Nowadays, there are handheld Doppler devices on the market that can be used at home. However, while the devices used by doctors provide detailed information about the functioning of the heart, these devices for home use can only measure the heart rate.
Ultrasound is safe when used for medical purposes and by trained professionals. However, in some cases, ultrasound can heat body tissue and cause small air bubbles to form within the tissue. As mentioned earlier, the FDA recommends against using this home device for the following reasons:
- They are not medically necessary .
- There is no control over how long or how often someone uses it.
- Special training is required to use that equipment properly and to properly understand the data it provides.
- It may give you false results . This can cause you to be unnecessarily afraid, or even mistakenly believe that "it's okay" when there is a problem.
What about phone apps? Are they safe? (`Are at-home fetal heart rate apps safe?`)
There are also mobile ``(apps)`` that claim to be able to see the baby's heartbeat. Some of them require you to buy a separate ``(Doppler)`` device. Other ``(apps)`` claim to be able to pick up the baby's heartbeat using the phone's microphone.
However, a study of 22 apps that don't require a separate device found that none of them were able to accurately detect a baby's heartbeat . Additionally, many of the apps either provided incorrect information in their descriptions or did not include a medical disclaimer.
So, the best thing to do instead of using apps like this is to keep an eye on your baby's movements yourself . You usually start to feel your baby move between 16 and 20 weeks. Talk to your doctor and learn how to use this method to stay informed about your baby's well-being.
When will I know the results of this test? What happens if I have a problem?
Most of the time, your doctor will tell you about your baby's condition right away .
Just because your baby's heartbeat is abnormal or has a change in rhythm doesn't mean your baby is in danger. Your doctor may continue to monitor your baby or order other tests.
However, if the baby's heartbeat continues to fluctuate for 10 minutes or more, it is a cause for concern. In this case, the doctor may decide to perform an urgent cesarean section, deliver the baby vaginally using a vacuum device or forceps.
Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)
Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring (FHRM) gives your doctor valuable information about your baby's health. However, you may not need all types of monitoring.
- Home appliances and mobile apps are not recommended.
- In low-risk pregnancies, it is not necessary to continuously monitor the baby electronically during labor.
The most important thing is to talk openly with your doctor about all of this. Discuss the risks of each `(monitoring)` method and decide what is best for you and your baby. Then you can go on this journey without fear and happily. We wish you and your baby everything goes well!
` Baby's heartbeat, pregnancy, labor, fetal heart rate monitoring, childbirth, baby's health, Doppler ultrasound
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