Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Fetal heart rate monitoring is the tracking of an unborn baby's heart rate and rhythm via imaging and other technologies. This may be done during the latter part of the pregnancy or during labor. Monitoring can be provided internally by attaching a special device to the fetus’s scalp, or externally through the mother's abdomen using ultrasound. Fetal heart rate monitoring is used during almost every pregnancy and during check-up visits as a health tracking method. It may also be used to check how medications are affecting the fetus, as well as during a non-stress test, contraction stress test and a biophysical profile. This test is completely safe and painless for both mother and baby.