Question 1

when i look at the fetal monitor, what am i actually seeing?

Accepted Answer

FHR and UCs: Ob doctors or nurses and parents spend a lot of time assessing condition of the uterus and fetus with fetal heart monitoring tracings to see if there are contractions, labor and if there is a regular and normal fetal heart rate, typical variability, absence of decelerations. Baby's parents should feel free to ask experienced providers for explanation of the testing and interpretation of results.

Question 2

heartbeat randomly jumps on fetal monitor .why ?

Accepted Answer

PACs.: Skipped beats are not uncommon in fetal heart rate monitoring; they are likely (>95%) due to benign premature atrial contractions of the fetal heart (no clinical significance). Alternatively, fetal hiccups can be at play (good prognostic sign).

Question 3

what does "bpm/cm" fetal monitor printer for fhr mean?

Accepted Answer

Beats per minute/cm: Ob doctors or nurses and parents spend a lot of time assessing condition of the fetus (and mom) with fetal heart monitoring tracings to see if there is a regular and normal heart rate, typical variability, absence of decelerations. Baby's parents should feel free to ask what's being done and why. They could also ask experienced providers for explanation of the testing and interpretation of results.

Question 4

i don't have time to take off work for all those fetal monitoring tests but know they are important. cant i just go to l&d?

Accepted Answer

See ACOG guidelines: Maternal-fetal medicine or OB doctors or nurses spend a lot of time assessing with ultrasound or with fetal heart monitoring tracings to see if there is a regular and normal heart rate, typical variability, absence of decelerations. They might order additional monitoring if high-risk mom or abnormalities that can be associated with fetal problems parents should feel free to ask what's best for all.

Question 5

is internal fetal monitoring require an invasive procedure?

Accepted Answer

Yes: Internal monitoring requires that the bag of water is broken.  If it is intact, the doctor will break the bag of water with a tiny plastic hook.  If contractions need to be monitored, a small plastic tube (iupc) is slid into the uterus, it gets squeezed during contractions and monitors intensity. If the baby needs to be monitored a small heart rate monitor is attached to the baby's scalp.

Question 6

how is intermittent fetal heart monitoring done? i don't want a belt.

Accepted Answer

See ACOG guidelines: Maternal-fetal medicine or OB doctors or nurses spend lot of time looking at fetal heart monitoring tracings to see if there is a regular and normal heart rate, typical variability, absence of decelerations. They might order intermittent monitoring unless high-risk mom or abnormalities that can be associated with fetal problems. Parents should feel free to ask if continuous is needed. See my guide.

Question 7

what's fetal heart monitoring? my gf says they insist on doing it on our baby.

Accepted Answer

Evaluation of FHR: Maternal-fetal medicine or OB doctors or nurses spend lot of time looking at the heart on ultrasound and fetal heart monitoring to see if there is a regular and normal heart rate, typical variability, absence of decelerations. They might look if normal pregnancy, if high-risk for mom, or if abnormalities that can be associated with chromosomal or other problems. Parents should feel free to ask why.

Question 8

does internal fetal monitoring cause the baby to feel any discomfort?  one was placed on my baby during l & d.

Accepted Answer

Probably.: Fetal discomfort/pain is a very delicate issue that almost impossible to study scientifically. Based on responses measurable externally (e.g. Heart rate, activity) one assumes that the fetus is annoyed by the scalp electrode and possibly even by the intrauterine pressure catheter if it passes too close to delicate tissues (eyes, nose, ears), however we cannot quantify this, nor can we be sure.

Question 9

is it ok to request intermittant fetal monitoring in labor?

Accepted Answer

If low-risk only!: There is good evidence to suggest that intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring in labor is safe for low-risk pregnancies. The problem with that approach is that it is more labor-intensive for your nurse and does not make much sense to leave your fetus in the dark during the most tumultuous period of its intrauterine existence - labor and delivery. Exercise caution and talk with your obstetrician!

Question 10

where can i find a fetal heart monitor that works online?

Accepted Answer

You shouldn't: Fetal heart rate monitoring should be done by trained professionals in real time for specific indications typically in some tpye of health care facility.

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Doctor answers about:

How to interpret a fetal monitor strip

A member asked:

When i look at the fetal monitor, what am i actually seeing?

A member asked:

Heartbeat randomly jumps on fetal monitor .why ?

A member asked:

What does "bpm/cm" fetal monitor printer for fhr mean?

A member asked:

I don't have time to take off work for all those fetal monitoring tests but know they are important. cant i just go to l&d?

A member asked:

Is internal fetal monitoring require an invasive procedure?

A member asked:

How is intermittent fetal heart monitoring done? i don't want a belt.

A member asked:

What's fetal heart monitoring? my gf says they insist on doing it on our baby.

A member asked:

Does internal fetal monitoring cause the baby to feel any discomfort? one was placed on my baby during l & d.

A member asked:

Is it ok to request intermittant fetal monitoring in labor?

A member asked:

Where can i find a fetal heart monitor that works online?

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