Fetal heart rate monitoring is done periodically throughout pregnancy and sometimes continuously or intermittently during labor. Listening to your baby's heart during pregnancy can reassure you and your health care provider that the baby is doing well. During second stage labor monitors may be used by your health care professional to make sure your baby is tolerating contractions and the stress of labor. When the baby's heart rate is higher or lower than desirable, interventions may be necessary.
Doppler Monitoring
Step 1
The ultrasound technician or other health care provider will place a generous amount of ultrasound gel to the end of the Doppler device. Or if you have a Doppler device at home, you or a partner can prepare the device.
Step 2
Touch the device to the woman's stomach where the baby's torso seems to be. This can be found by feeling for a large, firm mass or it can be found through trial and error.
Step 3
Keep the device against the mother's skin and move it until a solid heart rate can be heard.
Step 4
Seek to view a heart rate reading on the Doppler device for at least 30 seconds. If the heart rate is fluctuating frequently, keep the monitor in place longer.
Step 5
The monitoring may be repeated every 15 minutes during the second stage labor, states the journal American Family Physician. If the heart rate is fast, irregular or slow, providers are advised to begin continuous fetal monitoring using electronic fetal monitoring devices or internal monitoring devices.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring
Step 1
An ultrasound technician or other health care provider will place a generous amount of ultrasound gel on the electronic fetal monitoring device or the ultrasound wand.
Step 2
The provider will place the listening device on the mother's abdomen and secure the straps. Typically this is done by putting an elastic band completely around the mother's mid-section and adhering Velcro pieces together. When using telemetry monitoring, a mother's mobility will be limited; the restrictions on movement should be explained by the provider. Some devices are waterproof and others are not.
Step 3
The provider will move the device if a solid heart rate can't be heard.
Step 4
The provider will monitor the heart rate by viewing the monitor screen or by reading the printout from the device.
Step 5
The providers will keep the listening device attached to the mother for the remainder of labor, especially if the infant's heart tones have indicated distress or irregularity.
Tips and Warnings
- A Doppler device is the only type of fetal monitoring that can be done at home. Ultrasound and other electronic listening devices are expensive and require professional training to use. Internal fetal monitoring works in the same manner as the electronic fetal monitoring except the devices are inserted into the woman's vagina and attached the the baby's scalp. The heart rate is recording on the monitor for the device.
Things You'll Need
- Ultrasound gel
- Doppler or electronic fetal monitoring device and ultrasound
Member Comments