Explain the Foetal Monitoring

During late pregnancy and during labour, a physician may want to monitor the foetal heart rate and other functions. Foetal heart rate monitoring is a method of checking the rate and rhythm of the foetal heartbeat. The average foetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. The foetal heart rate may change as the foetus responds to conditions in the uterus. An abnormal foetal heart rate or pattern may mean that the foetus is not getting enough oxygen or there are other problems. An abnormal pattern may also mean that an emergency or cesarean delivery is needed.