Babies' heartbeats can be monitored during prenatal checks to evaluate their well-being. The fetal heart rate (FHR) is the number of heartbeats per minute and is recorded as part of routine antenatal care to help assess the wellbeing of the fetus. In this article we discuss the different ways of monitoring fetal heart rate and how it can be helpful in pregnancy.
1. Doppler ultrasound: This is a non-invasive test where a small handheld device called a Doppler probe is placed on the mother's belly. The device then projects and receives high-frequency sound waves to and from the fetus. Through these sound waves， the fetal heart rate can be measured and displayed on a computer screen.
2. Electronic fetal monitoring: This involves attaching two sensors on the mother's belly - one to measure contractions and another to measure fetal heart rate. The data is then recorded and displayed on a monitor. This is usually done during labor and delivery to monitor the baby's reaction to the stress of the contractions.
3. Fetal stethoscope: A fetal stethoscope is a specially designed tool that can be used by healthcare professionals to auscultate or listen to the fetal heart through the mother's belly. This method is less reliable than the Doppler or electronic method but can provide an indication of the baby's heart rate.
Once the fetal heart rate is taken， it is interpreted by a qualified health professional in view of other factors like gestational age， mother's health， and any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect fetal wellbeing.
In conclusion， monitoring FHR is a crucial step in prenatal care that helps to monitor the wellbeing of the baby. It is important that all women have access to routine pregnancy care to ensure the best possible outcome for mother and baby.
