Fetal Heart Rate Health Aspects

There are several fetal heart rate health aspects that are often monitored during prenatal checkups and labor and delivery.

Fetal heart monitoring is a good indicator of the baby's health

From the moment you first find out you are expecting until that very first heartbeat is confirmed, both you and your wellness caregiver will be hopeful that your pregnancy is progressing safely. The baby's heart rate brings a sigh of relief to every expectant parent, while health providers await the beat to ensure the baby's lungs and heart are growing and functioning properly. Once the baby's heart rate is heard at roughly 9 to 10 weeks, it's time to relax and enjoy your pregnancy.

During each prenatal checkup, your doctor will check on the growing fetus with a heart rate monitor. Monitoring the heart will ensure that both you and your baby are enduring a healthy and fit pregnancy. Your wellness practitioner will check on the heart rate externally using a device known as a Doppler. The heartbeat may be measured in one of two ways:

1. Your provider may count the number of beats for one minute.
2. Your provider may count the beats for a total of fifteen seconds and multiply that number by four.

Once you are in labor, there are two ways to monitor the fetal heart beat:

• 'External Monitoring: When measured externally, two units will be placed on the mother's belly. One device will detect the heart rate, while the other measures contractions and the length of time between them. This method is non-invasive and does not cause discomfort.
• 'Internal Monitoring: Internal monitoring may only be used after the mother's amniotic sac has broken to avoid the risk of infection. In this method, a device known as the fetal scalp electrode is placed into the vagina and is placed on top of the baby's head, measuring the heart rate. This method may cause temporary discomfort when it is first inserted into the vagina.

What is your care provider checking for during a heart rate measurement? The fetus should have a healthy heart rate ranging between 110-160 beats per minute. A count higher or lower than average may indicate a fetal heart rate aspect such as :

• The baby is experiencing stress
• Decreased blood supply to the vital organs and tissues
• Epidural or narcotic consumption causing changes in blood pressure
• Cord compression

Many care providers feel it is essential to monitor the baby's heart rate throughout labor and delivery, especially during induced births or in labors where patients have opted for narcotic pain relief. Any relevant changes to the baby's heart rate may caution your health provider to devise a new birth plan or prepare additional tests to ensure a safe and healthy birth. If your baby is experiencing an abnormal heart rate during the labor and delivery process, your provider may need to:

• Administer intravenous fluids to the mother
• Have you breathe through an oxygen mask
• Administer fluids to the uterus
• Ask you to change laboring positions
• Administer medication to decrease contractions and help you to relax
• Deliver the baby through caesarean section or the forceps method

Considering fetal heart rate health aspects are just one of the many things that health provides monitor throughout a pregnancy. With modern technology and advanced medical procedures, this simple test may be a life saver in the event of a birthing emergency.

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