Is a fetal heart rate of around 120 normal?

The baby in the mother's belly also has a heartbeat like a normal person, but the heartbeat is different. In the middle and late stages of pregnancy, in order to understand the vital characteristics of the fetus, pregnant women can go to the hospital for fetal heart monitoring. If the test result is a fetal heart rate of 120, parents must not be too anxious. This should be considered a very normal phenomenon. Just monitor closely during pregnancy and pay attention to relevant matters. Don't have too much pressure.

Is a fetal heart rate of around 120 normal?

1. Is it normal for the fetal heart rate to be around 120?

A fetal heart rate of around 120 is normal. The normal fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats/minute, with a regular rhythm and moderate strength, like the ticking of a clock. The fetal heart rate can increase by 10-20 beats/minute when the fetus moves. If it is continuously higher than 160/minute or lower than 110/minute, it is abnormal. The fetal heart rate directly reflects the life of the fetus. After 6 months of pregnancy, the fetal heartbeat can be heard in the abdomen, which is normally 120-160 beats per minute.

2. What does the strength of the fetal heartbeat represent?

Auscultation of the fetal heart rate is different from auscultation of the adult heart rate. When listening to the fetal heartbeat, there are the abdominal wall, uterine wall and amniotic fluid in between. Also, if the fetus is in the wrong position, the strength of the fetal heartbeat will be affected. Generally, the fetal heart rate is the strongest when heard on the back of the fetus. If the fetus is lying with its abdomen facing upwards and its back against the mother's, the fetal heart rate will be weaker.

Therefore, there is no difference between strong and weak fetal heart sounds, only fast and slow. If the fetal heart rate is a normal value and it just sounds weak, it is not considered abnormal.

3. Precautions for fetal heart rate monitoring

3.1. It is best to eat some food, such as chocolate, 30 minutes to 1 hour before fetal heart monitoring.

3.2. It is best to choose the time of the day when fetal movements are most frequent to do fetal monitoring.

3.3. Expectant mothers should not perform fetal monitoring after a full meal or when they are hungry, because the baby does not like to move at this time. It is best to perform fetal monitoring 30 minutes after eating.

3.4. During fetal heart monitoring, if the baby is unwilling to move, he may have fallen asleep. The expectant mother can gently shake or pat the abdomen to wake the baby up.

3.5. When doing fetal monitoring, it is best for expectant mothers to choose a posture that makes them comfortable, but please avoid lying flat.