How long does it take for a woman to do fetal heart monitoring during pregnancy?

We know that women need to do a lot of examinations during pregnancy, and the purpose of doing so is to ensure that the baby in the belly is healthier. Fetal heart rate monitoring is a necessary examination item. Many women would like to know how long in pregnancy it is appropriate to do fetal heart rate monitoring. Next, we let obstetricians and gynecologists give you an in-depth explanation. I hope everyone can understand this issue and I hope everyone can pay attention to their health.

The scientific name of fetal heart monitoring is fetal heart rate, fetal movement and uterine contraction chart, which is one of the examination methods adopted by many pregnant women. It uses fetal heart rate electronic monitor to record the fetal heart rate curve and uterine contraction pressure waveform for clinical analysis. Using microwave technology, the fetal condition can be correctly assessed through the fetal heart rate graph. Under normal circumstances, the heart rate is between 120 and 160. When fetal movement occurs, the heart rate will rise, and an upward protruding curve will appear. It will slowly decrease after the fetal movement ends. A fetal movement count of more than 30 times/12 hours is normal, and less than 10 times per 12 hours indicates an abnormal fetal heart rate, which in most cases means that the fetus is suffering from hypoxia in the uterus. The following item indicates intrauterine pressure, which will increase during uterine contractions and then remain at around 20 mmHg. The important thing is that fetal heart rate monitoring does not harm the baby.

Of course, such professional monitoring methods can only be done in hospitals. Generally, you can use a fetal heart monitor at home to record the condition of the fetus.

What is the appropriate way to monitor fetal heart rate?

Of course, pregnant women should have regular physical examinations after pregnancy. The first time they need to go to the hospital for a comprehensive examination is when they are 14 weeks pregnant. During this prenatal examination, the doctor will confirm the presence of fetal heartbeat and then ask the pregnant woman to do a blood test. As for true fetal heart monitoring, pregnant women should start checking after 34 weeks of pregnancy. The frequency depends on the condition of the fetus, and it is generally recommended to check once a week.

What does abnormal fetal heart rate monitoring indicate?

The normal fetal heart rate is between 120 beats/minute and 160 beats/minute. If the fetal heart rate remains <120/minute or >160/minute for more than 10 minutes, it indicates that the fetal heart rate is abnormal. At present, the application of fetal heart monitors has become quite popular. During fetal heart monitoring, if an abnormality is found in the fetal heart graph, it is often used to indicate fetal heart abnormality.

Situations that cause the fetal heart rate to increase: In most cases, an abnormal fetal heart rate means that the fetus is suffering from hypoxia in the uterus. The more severe the abnormal fetal heart rate, the more severe the fetal hypoxia. However, not all abnormal fetal heart rates are caused by hypoxia. In addition to the above situations, the condition of the pregnant woman herself also affects the changes in the fetal heart rate. For example, if the pregnant woman has a fever, the fetal heart rate will often exceed 160 beats/minute. If the pregnant woman has hyperthyroidism, her own heart rate is very fast, and the fetal heart rate will often exceed 160 beats/minute. If the pregnant woman takes certain medications, such as salbutamol, which is taken during premature delivery to protect the fetus, or atropine, it can cause the mother and child's heart rate to increase.

Causes of slow fetal heart rate: A slow fetal heart rate may be caused by fetal hypoxia, but sometimes pregnant women take certain medications, such as propranolol, which act on the fetus through the placenta and cause the fetal heart rate to slow down. When the fetal heart rate is persistently slow, it is important to check whether the fetus has congenital heart disease. In addition, after 40 weeks of pregnancy, due to developmental problems with the fetal nervous system, the fetal heart rate may sometimes be lower than 120 beats/minute. Therefore, when there is an abnormal fetal heart rate, it is necessary to carefully analyze the situation, make correct judgments and deal with it. If fetal hypoxia is indeed present, delivery should be carried out as soon as possible.

Now everyone should know how long it is appropriate for a woman to do fetal heart monitoring during pregnancy. I hope that pregnant women can choose an optimal time to do fetal heart monitoring. I hope that all pregnant women will pay attention to fetal heart monitoring. Of course it would be best if fetal heart rate monitoring reveals no problems, but if a problem is found, of course treatment should be received immediately.