How to listen to the fetal heart rate with a stethoscope?

There are scientific methods to monitor the fetal heart rate in clinical practice. There are currently two main methods, namely intermittent fetal heart rate monitoring and continuous fetal heart rate monitoring. The two monitoring methods are different, but in general, the monitoring results are very accurate. In short, the fetal heart rate often changes, so the monitoring results must be long-term to be convincing. In addition, everyone can also learn to use a stethoscope to listen to the fetal heart rate themselves.

How to listen to the fetal heart rate with a stethoscope?

When the gestational age reaches 18 to 20 weeks, it is time to listen to the fetal heart rate and count the fetal movements.

When you are in a calm state of mind, lie flat and the fetal heartbeat will be like the ticking of a clock. Slowly and continuously apply pressure at the same position on the abdomen. If you cannot hear the pressure at this position, move the pressure to a radius of 5 cm from this position. At 6 months, the baby should be moved 15-20cm to the left and right, with the navel as the benchmark. At 7.5 to 8 months, the positions for listening to the fetal heartbeat are first the lower left and right sides of the abdomen, then the upper left and right sides, and then the middle left and right sides.

100-120 beats/minute is slightly bradycardia; 160-180 beats/minute is slightly tachycardia.

At 8.5 months, fetal movement is very important. 8-12 am, slow and even. If it is too strong, there will be problems. At least 2-3 pm. Babies are most active at night, and prenatal education is most effective at this time. Count the fetal movements, relax your whole body, sit upright, and place your hands naturally on your lower abdomen. Do this 3 times a day in the late pregnancy, with the fetus moving 3-5 times per hour. Be sure to count for a full hour. The measurement of one fetal movement is as follows: continuous movements of gurgling or grunting do not count, and only movements with an interval of more than 3 minutes count.

Generally speaking, count in bed or sitting position after meals, 3 times a day, each time for 1 hour. Add the number of fetal movements in the morning, afternoon and evening each hour and multiply it by 4 to get the number of fetal movements in 12 hours. If the number of fetal movements in 12 hours is greater than 30 times, it means the fetus is in good condition. If it is 20 to 30 times, you should pay attention to the count the next day. If it drops to 20 times, tell the doctor for further examination. After 32 weeks of pregnancy, the number of fetal movements should be recorded each time. Please ask the doctor to review it during the prenatal check-up so that he can provide timely guidance on correct recording and timely treatment. Counting fetal movements is particularly important when the fetus is close to maturity and can survive after birth. If the fetal movement frequency is 4 times or more in 1 hour, it means the fetus is comfortable; if the fetal movement frequency is less than 3 times in 1 hour, you should count for another hour. If it is still less than 3 times, you should immediately go to the obstetrics emergency department to understand the fetal condition, and never wait any longer.

What are the instruments for listening to fetal heart rate?

In recent years, with the development of science and technology, more and more instruments for listening to fetal heart rate have appeared on the market. Generally speaking, there are three main instruments for monitoring fetal heart rate at home: stethoscope, fetal heart (heart) monitor, and fetal talk monitor.

1. Stethoscope. The technical requirements for finding the fetal heart rate are relatively high, the sound is relatively small, and it is not easy for ordinary people to find it, but the price is relatively low.

2. Fetal heart rate monitor. It is an electronic instrument mainly used for fetal heart monitoring, and most obstetrics and gynecology hospitals provide fetal heart monitoring. With the development of Internet technology, new smart fetal talkers have emerged. Because of their rich functions and better suitability for modern people's usage habits, they are gradually replacing traditional fetal heart monitors and stethoscopes.

3. Fetal talk instrument. It covers the functions of traditional fetal heart monitors, not just listening to the fetal heart rate, but can also meet the standards of home fetal heart rate monitoring, draw monitoring curves, count fetal heart rate and fetal movements, share with doctors for remote assistance, etc. It can be used in combination with mobile phone software and is suitable for pregnant women who are accustomed to using Apple or Android phones.

The editor reminds you that a fetal heart rate that is too fast or too slow is a sign of a problem, but a generally fast fetal heart rate accompanied by fetal movement does not mean that there is any problem with the fetus. A fetal heart rate that is too slow is often more risky, indicating that the fetus's reserves in the uterus are reduced and it is facing the risk of ischemia and hypoxia, which requires timely treatment by a doctor.