{"id":4219,"date":"2025-08-28T18:08:59","date_gmt":"2025-08-28T18:08:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expioconsulting.com\/macarthur\/wih\/?page_id=4219"},"modified":"2025-09-03T20:39:14","modified_gmt":"2025-09-03T20:39:14","slug":"fetal-heart-rate-monitoring-labor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/expioconsulting.com\/macarthur\/wih\/obstetrics\/fetal-heart-rate-monitoring-labor\/","title":{"rendered":"Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring During Labor"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Fetal heart rate monitoring during labor is a useful tool\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Our\u00a0Southlake obgyns<\/a> want women to know what to expect during labor. Our physicians employ fetal heart rate monitoring during labor to detect changes in a baby\u2019s heart rate that may need to be addressed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Two methods of fetal heart rate monitoring during labor\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur Southlake obgyns use two methods of fetal heart rate monitoring during labor, depending on the mother\u2019s condition, risk of problems and how labor is progressing.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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1. Auscultation<\/strong><\/p>

This periodic method of monitoring is performed with a Doppler transducer, a handheld ultrasound device that is pressed against a mother\u2019s belly so medical personnel can hear the baby\u2019s heart rate. Auscultation can also be performed with a special stethoscope.<\/p>

2. Electronic fetal monitoring<\/strong><\/p>

This is a continuous method of fetal heart rate monitoring during labor. During this type of monitoring, special instruments record both the mother\u2019s contractions and the baby\u2019s heart rate. Medical personnel review the readings at set times during\u00a0labor<\/a>, monitoring the information more often if there are issues or problems.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Internal and external monitoring\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAuscultation is a type of fetal monitoring during labor that is always external. Electronic fetal monitoring may be performed internally, externally or both.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDuring external electronic fetal monitoring, medical personnel wrap two belts around a mother\u2019s abdomen \u2013 one to monitor the baby\u2019s heart rate and the other to monitor the length of and intervals between the mother\u2019s contractions.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Internal fetal monitoring during labor can only take place after the mother\u2019s water has broken. If medical personnel use this method, they will place an electrode on the baby\u2019s scalp or the part of the baby\u2019s body that is closest to the cervix to monitor the baby\u2019s heart rate. They may also insert an intrauterine pressure catheter into the mother\u2019s uterus to measure uterine contractions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Several reasons why a woman may need electronic fetal monitoring\n<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur Southlake obgyns always communicate with patients during labor and encourage questions. There are many reasons why electronic fetal monitoring may be used.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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