Test Overview Electronic fetal monitoring is done during pregnancy, labour, and delivery. It keeps track of the heart rate of your baby (fetus uterus
Two types of monitoring can be done: external and internal.
External monitoring External monitoring
External monitoring is done using two flat devices (sensors). They are held in place with elastic belts on your belly. One sensor uses reflected sound waves (ultrasound) to keep track of your baby's heart rate. The other sensor measures how long your contractions last. The sensors are connected to a machine that records the details. Your baby's heartbeat may be heard as a beeping sound or printed out on a chart. How often you have contractions and how long they last may be printed on a chart.
External monitoring is used for a non-stress test. This test records your baby's heart rate while your baby is moving and not moving. A non-stress test may be done with a fetal ultrasound
External monitoring is also done for a contraction stress test
Sometimes external monitoring is done remotely. This is called telemetry. It allows you to be checked without being hooked up to a machine. At some hospitals, the sensors can send the details about your baby's heart rate and your contractions to a remote monitor. This monitor is usually at a nurse's station. Using a remote monitor allows you to walk around freely.
Internal monitoring Internal monitoring is done during labour. It can be done only after your cervix amniotic sac
For internal monitoring, a sensor is strapped to your thigh. A thin wire (electrode) from the sensor is put through your cervix and attached to your baby's scalp. Your baby's heartbeat may be heard as a beeping sound or printed out on a chart.
A small tube that measures contractions may be placed through your cervix and into your uterus. The strength and timing of your contractions is often printed out on a chart.
Internal monitoring may be used if it is difficult to clearly record your contractions or the baby's heart rate with the external monitor.
Why It Is Done
External monitoring This type of monitoring is done to:
Keep track of your baby's heart rate. Measure how often you have contractions and how long they last. Find out if you are having preterm labour. Check on your baby's health if your doctor or midwife thinks there may be problems. External electronic fetal monitoring will be done during a non-stress test to check your baby's heart rate while at rest and while moving. If your baby does not move during this test, more tests will be needed. Check your baby's health if your doctor or midwife thinks the baby is not getting enough oxygen because of problems with the placenta caesarean section (C-section) Check your baby's health if your baby has not been growing normally. Monitoring may also be done if you have diabetes or high blood pressure or if you are more than 41 weeks pregnant. Internal monitoring This type of monitoring is done to:
Find out if the stress of labour is putting your baby's health at risk. Measure the strength and length of your labour contractions. How To Prepare
In general, there's nothing you have to do before this test, unless your doctor or midwife tells you to.
Load More Information about Electronic Fetal Monitoring
How It Is Done
External monitoring can be done at any time after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Internal monitoring is used only when you are in labour and your amniotic sac has broken. If it is needed and your amniotic sac has not broken, your doctor or midwife may break the sac to start the test.
Sometimes both types of monitoring will be done at the same time. Your baby's heart rate may be checked with an internal sensor, and your contractions may be checked with an external or internal sensor.
External monitoring For external monitoring, you may lie on your back or left side. Two belts with sensors attached will be placed around your belly. Gel may be applied to provide good contact between the heart rate sensors and your skin. The sensors are attached with wires to a recording device. This device can show or print out a record of your baby's heart rate and the duration of contractions. The position of the heart rate monitor may be changed now and then as your baby moves.
For a non-stress test, you may be asked to push a button on the machine every time your baby moves or you have a contraction. Your baby's heart rate is recorded. Then it's compared to the record of movement or your contractions. This test usually lasts about 20 to 40 minutes.
Internal monitoring For internal monitoring, you will usually lie on your back or left side. A thin wire (electrode) will be put through your cervix and attached to your baby's scalp. A band is placed around your upper leg to keep the monitor in place. The electrode is attached with wires to a recording device that can show or print out a record of your baby's heart rate.
In some cases a small tube that measures contractions may also be placed through your cervix and into your uterus. The tube connects to the recording device, which shows or prints the strength and length of your contractions.
How It Feels
You may have some discomfort if you are having contractions. And the belts that hold the sensors in place may feel tight.
You may be able to change position or move around more during internal monitoring than during external monitoring.
You may have discomfort if an internal contraction monitor is put into your uterus.
Risks
Electronic fetal monitoring may be linked to an increase in caesarean deliveries. It may also be linked to the use of a vacuum or forceps during delivery.footnote 1
There is a slight risk of infection for your baby when internal monitoring is done.
Results
The results are usually ready right away. Here are some examples of normal and abnormal results.
Electronic fetal monitoring Normal:
Your baby's heart rate is 110 to 160 beats per minute.
Your baby's heart rate increases when the baby moves and when your uterus contracts.
Your baby's heart rate drops during a contraction but quickly goes back to normal after the contraction is over.
Uterine contractions during labour are strong and regular.
Abnormal:
Your baby's heart rate is less than 110 beats per minute.
Your baby's heart rate is more than 160 beats per minute.
During a non-stress test, your baby's heart rate does not increase by 15 beats per minute or it drops far below its baseline rate after the baby moves.
Your baby's heart rate gets slower and stays slow after a contraction. Uterine contractions are weak or irregular during labour.
Fetal monitoring can't find every type of problem, such as birth defects. A normal result does not guarantee that your baby is healthy.
Related Information
References
Citations Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews , 2(2): CD006066. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD006066.pub3.Credits
Current as of: April 30, 2024
