13
2019
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03
Are you experiencing the information conveyed to the mother by the fetal heart rate?
At a certain stage of pregnancy, expectant mothers can clearly feel the fetal heartbeat, which generally appears around 12 weeks. However, since the perception ability of pregnant women varies, those who do not hear the fetal heartbeat by that time need not worry. What is a fetal heartbeat?
Author:
During pregnancy, at a certain point, the mother can clearly feel the fetal heart rate, which usually appears around 12 weeks. However, since the perception ability of pregnant women varies, those who do not hear the fetal heartbeat when the time comes need not worry.
What is fetal heart rate?
Fetal heart rate refers to the heartbeat of the fetus. The fetal heart is the earliest functional organ to develop in the body, and the fetal heart sounds can directly reflect the condition of the fetus.
How long after pregnancy can one hear the fetal heart rate?
At around 10 to 12 weeks of gestation, using a highly sensitive Doppler instrument, one can hear a heartbeat that sounds like a horse's hoof. Another situation is that in early pregnancy, due to the position of the fetus or various interference factors, such as excessive maternal fat, even with very precise instruments, the fetal heartbeat may not be audible.
Generally, between 17 to 20 weeks, one can hear the fetal heart rate using a regular stethoscope on the abdomen. The fetal heart rate is typically 120-160 beats per minute, sometimes faster and less regular, but it becomes more regular towards the end of pregnancy. There may be brief pauses or speeds reaching 180 beats per minute, which are normal phenomena. However, if this occurs frequently and for a long time, medical attention should be sought promptly.
What can pregnant women know from the fetal heart rate?
Normal fetal heart rate: 120 to 160 beats per minute. The rhythm is regular, with moderate strength, and it should sound regular and uninterrupted, like the ticking of a clock. The fetal heart rate can increase by 10 to 20 beats per minute during fetal movement. If it consistently exceeds 160 beats per minute or falls below 110 beats per minute, it is considered abnormal, indicating that the baby is not growing normally.
Abnormal fetal heart rate:Fetal heart rate < 120 beats per minute; fetal heart rate > 160 beats per minute. Irregular heartbeats, fluctuating speeds, or pauses with gaps in between are all abnormal and may indicate intrauterine hypoxia or other dangerous conditions, requiring immediate medical attention.
Fetal heart cessation:
Fetal heart cessation is a symptom of fetal demise or miscarriage. The occurrence of fetal demise is related to reproductive tract infections, endocrine abnormalities, chromosomal abnormalities in the embryo, adverse environments, and medication effects. It is very important to conduct pre-pregnancy check-ups to detect these issues early and treat them promptly to effectively prevent fetal demise.
In addition, if the pregnant woman has a fever, the fetal heart rate often exceeds 160 beats per minute; if the pregnant woman has hyperthyroidism, her own heart rate is fast, and the fetal heart rate often exceeds 160 beats per minute; if the pregnant woman takes certain medications, such as terbutaline for preterm labor, or atropine, it can also cause an increase in both maternal and fetal heart rates. Therefore, expectant mothers must learn to self-monitor the fetal heart rate to detect any abnormalities in the baby in a timely manner.
How can pregnant women listen to the fetal heart rate?
1. At 24 weeks of pregnancy, it is time to listen to the fetal heart and count fetal movements.
2. In a calm mood, lie flat; the fetal heart sound is like the 'tick-tock' of a clock. Apply slow and continuous pressure at the same position on the abdomen. If no sound is heard at this position, move within a radius of 5 cm from this position.
3. At 6 months, use the navel as a reference point and move 15-20 cm to the left and right below.
4. At 7.5 to 8 months, listen to the fetal heart at the lower left and right of the abdomen, then at the upper left and right, and finally at the middle left and right. 100-120 beats per minute indicates mild bradycardia; 160-180 beats per minute indicates mild tachycardia.
5. At 8.5 months, fetal movement is very important. From 8 to 12 in the morning, movements should be slow and even; if they are strong, there may be a problem. In the afternoon, at least 2 to 3 movements. In the evening, the fetus is most active, and this is when fetal education is most effective. Count fetal movements while fully relaxed, sitting upright, with both hands resting naturally on the lower abdomen. In late pregnancy, count 3 times a day, with 3-5 movements per hour, ensuring to count for a full hour. A single fetal movement is defined as: continuous movements without breaks do not count; only movements with intervals of more than 3 minutes count.
Precautions
Causes of elevated fetal heart rate:
Fever, anger, insomnia, drinking strong tea or coffee, mental excitement, hyperthyroidism, or taking certain medications (such as terbutaline for preterm labor or currently taking atropine) can all cause an increase in fetal heart rate.
Causes of decreased fetal heart rate:
A slow fetal heart rate may be caused by fetal hypoxia, but sometimes the pregnant woman taking certain medications (such as propranolol) can also slow the fetal heart rate through placental effects. Additionally, after 40 weeks of pregnancy, as the fetus matures, the fetal heart rate may sometimes drop below 120 beats per minute, but it should not fall below 110 beats per minute.
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