The full form of FHR is the "Fetal Heart Rate". As the name suggests, FHR is the baby's heart rate while inside the womb. FHR is like getting to know your baby for the first time. It is a life-changing experience for the mother, as the heartbeat can tell a lot about the coming little one. The heart rate of a healthy fetus ranges from 110 to 160 beats per minute. But sometimes the baby's heart rate can also increase up to 170 beats per minute.
What is FHR?
The FHR monitors and measures the heart rate of the baby in the womb. With the help of FHR (Fetal Heart Rate), it is easier to take care of the baby's health until the due date. Every month or several weeks, your doctor will monitor your baby's heartbeat throughout your pregnancy.
What are the methods of FHR?
- External fetal heart monitoring: This method involves a device that listens to the baby's heartbeat through the mother's abdomen. During the parental visit, this device is simply used to check the status of the fetal heartbeat. This device is also used during the birthing process to make sure the baby is healthy.
- Internal fetal heart monitoring: FHR has this method during the labor. In this process, a sensor is placed on the scalp of the fetus at the time of delivery. With the help of this method, the doctor will also have a better reading because there is no irregular measurement due to lack of movement. However, this method is only applicable when the cervix is ??open because the uterus is attached to the monitor.
Are there any risks in FHR?
Fetal monitoring will not harm the baby, but it also does have some side effects.
Your doctor will also take all the precautions before the inserting the hand like using gloves etc. But also this step can arise some risk factors like infection due to the bacteria present in the glove. Therefore, this method is not suitable for those who have the disease from the beginning.
During internal FHR, the sensor is placed on the baby's scalp as gently as possible. However, in some cases, the sensor may cause some injury to your child, such as scratches and bruises. But these types of the injuries heal quickly without complications.
How to check FHR?
Use the following techniques to listen to the fetal heart rate:
Stethoscope: At weeks 20 to 22 of pregnancy, a stethoscope can identify the fetal heartbeat. Sit in a quiet environment, place your chest on your stomach, and listen through the earpiece. Attach the chest piece to where you can feel the baby's back if you know where it is.
A fetoscope is a stethoscope used to listen to the fetal heart rate. Pinard's horn was initially known as the fetoscope. It is a tube-shaped instrument made of wood or metal that transmits the fetal heartbeat to the listener's ear.
Transvaginal ultrasound: Detection of the baby's heart rate by Doppler before weeks 10 to 12. While checking the fetal heart rate early in pregnancy is unusual, it can usually be detected with a transvaginal ultrasound after the sixth week.