What is a fetal monitor?

A fetal monitor is a medical team that provides non-invasive prenatal tracking system to graphically measure and show maternal abdominal contractions and fetal heart rate on graphic screen and a graphic recorder. These data are intended to help evaluate the welfare of the fetus during the last trimester of pregnancy.

Knowing the health status of the fetus is very important for doctors and also for future parents. Therefore, one of the tools that allow analyzing the baby’s well-being is the fetal monitor. If the mother knows what she is about and at what moment this test is usually done, she will certainly help you practice it with greater tranquility.

What is fetal monitoring?

Fetal monitoring or fetal monitoring, is an indolar and non-invasive examination, which is usually practiced in the final weeks of pregnancy and at the time of delivery, in order to control the uterine activity and the health of the baby. To do, a cardiotocograph or monitor is used, which is an instrument that records the amount, the level of intensity and the duration of the contractions, in addition to the fetal heart rate.

Fetal heart rate is the rhythm of heartbeats that produces the baby every minute. Therefore, when the specialist doctors have the records, they elaborate a model in which it is compared if there are contractions and the behavior of the fetus while they occur.

Use of the fetal monitor during pregnancy

Generally, in case it is a healthy pregnancy, monitoring is usually practiced in the final weeks of pregnancy, to corroborate the well-being of the baby. Specifically, in the public health sector, it is recommended to do it as of the forty week, this being a probable date of childbirth.

Likewise, the fetal monitor is usually used in probable cases of preterm birth, that is, when the pregnant woman, from 6 and a half, has to go to emergencies for feeling contractions. In these situations, specialists will make fetal monitoring to the pregnantness and observe if the contractions that she suffers is or not to be delivered.

The use of the fetal monitor is also usually used when the mother perceives that the abrupt movements of the baby have decreased, or at her defect, she does not feel any movement. It should be noted that in the last weeks of pregnancy it is normal to reduce movements within the uterus, as the creature has less space to move.

Therefore, it is vital that the pregnant woman notes if there is fetal movement, at least twice a day. If you feel little movement, you can help the baby lying on her left side, another option is to consume foods that stimulate the fetus, like chocolates. If the above did not serve, she must go to the hospital to confirm her wellbeing with the fetal monitor.

Use of the fetal monitor during childbirth

According to publications of the World Health Organization (WHO), it is not scientifically proven that the fetal monitor improves the resolution of childbirth, however, it is of great help for specialists, since it guides them on how the process is evolving in any Moment, as monitoring can be done in any period.

In general terms, when couples wonder about fetal monitors for what they serve and their employment, they should know that this depends on each clinic or hospital. In some institutions, the protocols dictate to implement the monitor from the beginning to the end of delivery.

In Kalstein we are manufacturers of medical equipment with the most advanced technology at the best prices, including a novel fetal monitor. That’s why we invite you to take a look at the Products menu. HERE