Fetal heart rate monitoring has gained importance in past because it can be used to determine a lot of things regarding the health of your baby. A doppler is used to measure the heart rate, rhythm and other things which can assist the health care provider about taking immediate decisions. There are many times when your doctor would suggest frequent ultrasounds, and this is not feasible for every working women to go to the hospital and get the ultrasound done. In such a situation, fetal doppler which can be used at home is the best thing to buy. A fetal doppler would make you able to take the readings of heart rate right from your home without visiting any hospital and you can note down all the readings to discuss the same with your health care professional in the next meeting.
Different methods of monitoring:
There are different methods of monitoring the heart rate of your baby and in this article, we will explain all the following three methods with which you can get to know about the normal heart behavior of your child. It is important to know the average heartbeat rates before you start using the doppler at your home. In addition to this, there are certain other things which must be mastered before you start using the apparatus on your own. It is highly recommended to use the doppler under supervision of a doctor only because there are many risk factors involved which can produce false results and can lead to wrong conclusions. Following are the three different methods of monitoring the heartbeat of your baby:
• External monitoring
• Internal monitoring
• Intermittent auscultation
External monitoring:
This is the most common method of monitoring the heart rate and other things of your growing baby inside your womb. Sensors are used either via an ultrasound machine or with the help of a baby heartbeat monitorat home. At-home baby heartbeat monitors might not produce the accurate results, especially when the readings are taken by the non-professionals. You are required to be extremely careful when you are using the equipment because a wrong analysis of the reading can lead to serious consequences. On the other hand, you might take serious indications lightly which can cause a serious trouble in the future.
Internal Monitoring:
Internal monitoring can only be used when the mother is dilated and external methods of monitoring the heartbeats are not functioning properly. An electrode is passed through the vagina and is attached to the scalp of the baby to monitor accurate heartbeat readings.
Intermittent auscultation:
This is done with the help of a hand-held heartbeat monitor which can be used be mothers themselves. This is used in low-risk times when you are required to monitor the heartbeat quite often. You can record the readings and can discuss the same with your health care professional during your next appointment. A pregnant mother must have such equipment at home if she is looking to minimize the risks to an exceptionally low level.