Fetal monitoring is used later in pregnancy and during labor to check your baby’s heart rate and well-being.
Methods include:
- External monitoring: A device is placed on your abdomen to record the baby’s heartbeat and uterine contractions.
- Internal monitoring: Used during labor by placing a small electrode on the baby’s scalp. This gives more precise information but is only done when needed.
Monitoring helps detect problems such as fetal distress so that timely interventions can be made.
