Q: What is fetal monitoring?
A:
Fetal monitoring means listening to your baby’s heartbeat during labour to make sure that it sounds healthy. This can be done with a trumpet (a fetal stethoscope) or with a small electric device called a Doptone. In cases where more intensive observation is needed, an electronic fetal monitor may be used. The fetal monitoring may be done for a few minutes at the beginning of labour as a screening procedure to monitor the baby’s heartbeat. If used more extensively it will limit your mobility.
