The Benefits of Fetal Monitoring Equipment

If you want to learn more about how to take care of your unborn child, a fetal monitor is just one step in the process. These monitors are, typically, used in the early stages of the pregnancy to monitor the fetal heartbeat and gather other useful data about the birth of the child. Fetal monitoring may also be used during childbirth also. This process is known as electronic fetal monitoring.

How Does It Work?

Fetal heart monitors use Doppler ultrasound to monitor myometrial activity or contractions. A direct fetal ECG measurement may also be taken with a fetal scalp electrode. The two disparate pieces of data are compared and interpreted based upon the relationships.

History of Fetal Heart Monitors

Fetal heart monitors have been used since the 1960s. Since then, physicians have been able to determine problems with the fetus before anything occurred. The reason fetal heart monitors were so popular is because they yielded better outcomes and reduced the incidences of cerebral palsy, which were thought to be due to intrapartum cerebral ischaemia.

Many physicians closely monitor expecting mothers to detect items such as patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular haemorrhage, postnatal dexamethaone, and severe hyaline membrane disease. By monitoring these conditions, it will provide insight into cerebral palsy.

While fetal monitoring may not be used in every delivery, it plays a large role in pregnancies with complications. If fetal distress is detected, this screening can be a lifesaver. In general, as long as the fetal heartrate is normal, the fetus is not suffering from hypoxia, which is a common form of distress.

Know the Basics

Knowing the normal of baseline fetal heart rate is important to know before using a fetal heart monitor. In general, the reassuring baseline is 110 to 160 bpm and non-reassuring baseline is 100 to 109 or 161 to 180 bpm. The variability should be no more than 5 bpm.

Any decision to use a fetal heart monitor continuously should be discussed with a physician. The use is not mandatory, but it can be helpful. The use of the device is considered effective overall, but many considerations must be made before it's used on a continual basis. Its use has improved the success rate of infants born via Caesarean section, which is why it should not be phased out of the healthcare system. Talk with your physician before a fetal heart monitor is integrated into your care plan.

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The author has worked as sales representative in many leading Companies that deals in cardiac monitoring equipment.http://www.jetmedical.com/