Baby heart monitoring, also known as fetal heart rate monitoring, is done during pregnancy, labor, and delivery using “clinical” heart monitor to keep track of fetal heart rate. It is also an important indicator of baby’s health during delivery as it also gives estimate of strength and duration of contraction. A clinical heart monitor is a more sophisticated device than domestic one.
How does baby heart rate monitor work
Baby heart monitor works by producing the ultrasound waves and measuring their frequency when they bounce back affected by baby’s heart beat. The phenomenon is known as Doppler Effect, which is a popular technique in measuring the speed, frequency, and distance of the moving objects. This technique is similar to detection of airplanes and other objects by radar or by navigation equipment in ships.
External heart monitors are devices like stethoscope used by physicians. No special handling or placement is required by would-be mothers to use them.
Why it is important to monitor baby heart rate
Baby heartbeat monitoring is not only important for emotional well-being of pregnant mothers but also for detecting pre-natal problems that can be fatal for unborn babies as well as for mothers. Fetal heartbeat is main indicator of fetus’ health condition. Any change in heartbeat pre-warns the mother to consult her physician. Thus baby heart monitor helps protect fetus from dying. If any problem is detected, the parents can take immediate action by consulting physician.
This device also helps in saving mothers from emergency in case of prenatal death of fetus. If undetected, the fetal death can create life risk for mothers too. Thus baby heart monitor also prevents mothers from difficult situation that could arise due to undetected fetal death.
Monitoring of heart rate of baby indeed creates peace of mind for parents till their pre-natal appointment with doctor as they are confident that their unborn baby is in perfect health.
Although this device has potential advantages in detecting fetal abnormalities, it should not be used too frequently. A little inaccuracy of judgment can be the cause of trouble. Doctors writing in British Medical Journal warn that parents-to-be may receive false reassurance that a baby is well and they might delay seeking urgent medical help.
Hence, it is suggested that the domestic-use devices may not be taken as an alternate to proper medical advice from a qualified doctor.