FETAL HEART RATE MONITORING USING THE ABDOMINAL FETAL ELECTROCARDIOGRAM

Abstract

An evaluation of a prototype abdominal fetal ECG module for use in a Sonicaid FM3R monitor is described; 103 antenatal recordings of fetal heart rate (FHR) were attempted in 56 patients between 21 and 43 wk gestation. The overall success rate was 54% but the proportion of successful recordings was reduced between 24 and 36 wk gestation. Most successful recordings were obtained with the 1st electrode placings and the quality of the recordings was generally higher than those obtained by simultaneously recorded FHR from ultrasound. Monitoring using the abdominal ECG during parturition was unreliable. The advantages of the method are that it is noninvasive, the patient is not restricted by belts and the technique is easy to apply. The uncertainty of obtaining an FHR trace between 24 and 36 wk gestation is a major disadvantage.