Fetal Monitoring and Obstetric Ultrasound

There are two opportunities in which it can be carried out:

Antepartum fetal monitoring:

It is part of the routine pregnancy check-up during the last month (in pathological pregnancies, it can be done from 32 weeks onwards). Also known as NST (Non-Stress Test: antepartum cardiotocography without aggression), it involves recording the fetal heart rate (FHR) without contractions. A REACTIVE result indicates fetal health, while a NON-REACTIVE result does not necessarily imply illness. Therefore, it is reiterated: antepartum monitoring is a diagnostic method primarily for assessing HEALTH.

Intrapartum fetal monitoring:

It is based on recording the fetal heart rate associated with contractions, during labor, whether spontaneous or induced. In this case, it is useful both to determine adequate fetal oxygenation, allowing us to proceed with labor safely because it is well tolerated by the fetus, and to early detect acute fetal distress, indicating timely inhibition of contractions and ending labor through a cesarean section, thus avoiding neurological sequelae. In summary, fetal monitoring allows both vaginal delivery with excellent results and the correct indication of cesarean section for fetal distress, at the right time.