The joy you feel when you become a pregnant mother cannot be expressed in words, right? It is also very normal to have a little fear and curiosity about the health of the baby. The joy you feel when you go to the clinic and the doctor or family health worker puts a small device on your belly and lets you listen to the sound of the baby's heartbeat... There is probably no music as sweet as that "dug dug" sound. So, why do they check this heartbeat every day? What is this called Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring? Let's talk about this simply, in a way that you can understand.
What does it mean to monitor the baby's heartbeat?
Simply put, it measures the rate and pattern of your baby's heartbeat. Just as a doctor can determine whether we are healthy by looking at our heartbeat, the way your baby's heartbeat beats can tell you a lot about how well and comfortably he is doing inside the womb. It's like a "progress report" from your baby.
Why is this test so important?
The heart rate of a healthy baby growing in the womb should normally be between 110 and 160 beats per minute . When the doctor monitors this heartbeat, he or she will pay close attention to whether the rate is within normal limits and whether there are any abnormalities in its pattern.
Think about it, if the baby's heart rate continues to drop too low or increase too high, it could be a sign that the baby is not getting enough oxygen or that there is some other problem.
But remember this: It's normal to have moderate fluctuations in your heart rate. A heart rate that fluctuates between 6 and 25 beats per minute over a 10-minute period is usually a good sign. So don't panic if you notice a small change.
If this test shows anything unusual, the doctor can act quickly, perform other tests if necessary, or sometimes refer you for an emergency delivery. All of this is done for the safety of you and your baby.
In what situations is this test performed?
There are three main times when the baby's heartbeat is monitored.
1. During routine prenatal visits: You may have seen your doctor or family health worker checking the baby's heartbeat at your monthly prenatal clinic visit. This is an essential part of the routine checkup.
2. High-risk pregnancies: Some pregnant women need special attention. If you have any of the following conditions, your doctor may monitor your baby's heartbeat more frequently.
- Preeclampsia - This means high blood pressure during pregnancy.
- Diabetes.
- Other bleeding during pregnancy.
3. During labor and delivery: During labor and delivery, especially from the time labor begins until the baby is born, the baby's heartbeat is continuously monitored. This is because the baby feels a little pressure every time the uterus contracts. The best way to know if the baby can handle that pressure and is getting enough oxygen is to watch this heartbeat.
What are the methods of measuring heart rate?
This test is mainly done in two ways. That is, external and internal. Let's see what the difference is between these two.
External Monitoring
This is the most commonly used method. The device is placed on your stomach and examined.
| Device name | Simply put... |
|---|---|
| Fetoscope | This is like the stethoscope that doctors put on our chest, but one side is shaped like a funnel. It is placed directly on your belly and you put your ear to it and listen to the baby's heartbeat. This is a bit of an old method. |
| Handheld Doppler ultrasound | This is what you often see in clinics. The doctor applies a little gel to your belly and places this little machine over it. Then, using sound waves, it can transmit the baby's heartbeat so that we can hear it. It also shows the heart rate on the screen. |
| Continuous Electronic Monitoring | This is often used during childbirth. Two elastic bands are placed around your belly. An ultrasound device on one band continuously measures the baby's heartbeat. A device on the other band measures the contractions, or dilation, of your uterus. Both are connected to a monitor. |
Internal Monitoring
This is a somewhat rare procedure. This method is only used during labor, and only after your water has broken.
This involves inserting a very fine wire electrode through the vagina and attaching it to the baby's scalp. Don't worry, this won't cause any major harm to the baby. This method is used to:
- If the results of the external examination are not clear.
- If more precise monitoring is needed about the baby's condition.
Are there any risks in these tests?
Generally speaking, monitoring a baby's heartbeat is a very safe test .
But, it's good for us to be aware of some things.
- When you are continuously monitored during labor, your freedom to move around in bed and walk around is limited. Sometimes walking and changing positions can help to cope with the discomfort.
- Also, some studies have shown that with continued monitoring in this way, there may be a slight increase in the chance of having to deliver the baby by cesarean section or using devices such as vacuum/forceps, which may be unnecessary.
- There are very few risks with internal monitoring. There is a very small chance that the baby could get a small scratch on the skin on the head, that the mother could get an infection, and that the mother could pass on a disease like HIV or genital herpes to the baby.
For this reason, many experts believe that continued monitoring during labor is not necessary in uncomplicated, low-risk pregnancies.
Are home-use machines and phone apps good?
This is definitely something to pay attention to. Nowadays, various at-home doppler monitors are sold online that claim to allow you to hear your baby's heartbeat at home. There are even apps that you can download to your phone.
Please refrain from purchasing or using these.
Major health agencies around the world, such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), do not support the use of these at home. There are several reasons for this:
- No medical necessity: These are not medically necessary devices.
- Lack of knowledge to use it correctly: It takes special training to use this device correctly and to understand the results it gives. You may hear your own heartbeat.
- Incorrect results may occur: The results obtained from these devices are not accurate. This can be due to two reasons.
1. Unnecessary fear: If you can't find your baby's heartbeat, you may be unnecessarily worried and stressed.
2. Getting the wrong assurance: Sometimes, even though there may be a real problem with the baby, you may think that "the baby is fine" because you heard the heartbeat. This can lead to a delay in seeking medical advice.
A survey of phone apps found that not a single app that claimed to detect a person's heartbeat using the phone's microphone without any devices was able to do it properly.
So how do you know if the baby is okay at home?
The best, safest, and doctor-approved way to check your baby's well-being at home is to count your baby's movements (fetal movement counting) . You usually start to feel your baby move around 16-20 weeks. Ask your doctor about how to accurately monitor these movements. They are the best signal your baby is giving you.
What happens if there is a change in heart rate?
First of all, don't panic. Not every time you see an abnormality in the heartbeat, it means that the baby is in serious danger. The doctor will continue to monitor the baby or order other tests.
A situation to be concerned about is if the baby's heart rate changes for 10 minutes or more . If this happens, the doctor may decide to deliver the baby by cesarean section or other assisted delivery method as soon as possible to protect the baby.
Talk openly with your doctor about these tests. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions or concerns. It will help you decide what is best for you and your baby.
Take-Home Message
- Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring is a very important and safe test to monitor the baby's health during pregnancy and childbirth.
- The average heart rate of a healthy baby is between 110 and 160 beats per minute.
- At-home Doppler devices (at-home monitors) and phone apps are not recommended at all. Their results are unreliable and may cause unnecessary stress or provide false reassurance.
- The best way to monitor your baby's well-being at home is to keep an eye on his movements (the number of movements). Ask your doctor for advice on this.
- Follow the advice of your doctor and midwife throughout your pregnancy. If you have any doubts or concerns, never hesitate to ask them.
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