Fetal heart rate monitor near me professional#

This is for several reasons, including the following: Should people use at-home fetal heart monitors?īoth the FDA and the National Health Service (NHS) advise against using at-home Doppler machines. This makes internal monitor readings more accurate. The fetus’s movements do not affect this type of monitor. If the doctor also wants to measure the pressure within the uterus, they may also insert a catheter that measures uterine pressure.

Fetal heart rate monitor near me professional#

To fit the monitor, a healthcare professional will insert a catheter containing a thin wire through the cervix and place an electrode on the fetus’s head. As a result, doctors tend to use this type of monitor when a person is already in labor and if an external monitor is not providing a clear reading. This can happen naturally at the beginning of labor or artificially through a procedure that a healthcare professional carries out. Internal devicesĭoctors can fit an internal heart monitor once the amniotic sac breaks. The FDA recommends only seeking heart monitoring from qualified healthcare professionals when there is a medical need. However, these devices only measure the speed of the fetal heart rate. People can also use handheld versions of Doppler ultrasound devices at home. This will record the fetus’s heartbeat pattern and alert the doctor to any changes that could indicate distress. If a doctor wants to monitor the fetal heart rate continuously during labor, they can strap the probe to the person’s abdomen. To check the heartbeat, a doctor places an ultrasound probe against a person’s abdomen. External devicesĪ Doppler ultrasound device is an external monitor that uses sound waves to detect a fetus’s heartbeat. The following sections will look at these in more detail.

It is important to note that not everyone with these risk factors will go on to have a high risk pregnancy, and not all medical practices will recommend fetal monitoring based on a person’s age or body weight alone.ĭoctors can use two types of fetal heart monitors: external or internal.

being very young or older than 35 years of age, as these groups are more likely to experience preeclampsia and gestational high blood pressure.

having multiple births, such as twins or triplets, which can make preterm birth or premature labor more likely.

having overweight or obesity, which can increase the risk of several health conditions during pregnancy.

having a health condition such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or HIV.

Several factors can increase the likelihood of a person having a high risk pregnancy.

During labor: Once labor begins, a doctor can use a heart monitor to make sure the fetus is doing well during birth.

During high risk pregnancies: If a person is at high risk of health or birth complications during pregnancy, a doctor may use a fetal heart monitor to detect signs of distress as early as possible.

These medications stop labor from beginning too early. They can also use fetal heart monitoring to determine if preterm labor medications are affecting the fetus.

To monitor for specific concerns: If someone is experiencing troubling symptoms during pregnancy, such as bleeding, a doctor may recommend heart monitoring to assess the well-being of the fetus.

During routine prenatal appointments: Healthcare professionals can use an ultrasound device to briefly monitor the fetus’s heart rate during routine checkups.They may use one in the following situations: Share on Pinterest bukharova/Getty Imagesĭoctors use fetal heart monitors to get an indication of a fetus’s health.