Pregnancy can certainly be called one of the most important periods in a woman's life, to which she approaches very responsibly. Soon she will become the mother of the most dear to her man, so she tries to take care of his health when he is still in the womb. Pregnancy is carefully monitored and controlled by doctors in order to prevent all kinds of complications. One of the most effective ways to observe fetal development is to measure heart rate - heart rate. The average rate of these reductions should be in the range of 120 - 160 beats per minute. However, throughout the duration of pregnancy, these indicators may vary. So, for example, during a gestation period of six to eight weeks, fetal heart contractions are about 110 - 130 beats per minute, at 9 - 10 weeks with an indicator of 170 - 190 beats, it can be said that heart rate is normal. From the 11th week and throughout the rest of the pregnancy to the very birth, the fetal heartbeat fully normalizes and 140-160 beats per minute become the norm.
It is interesting to know that the study and evaluation of heart rate have long been used for early determination of the intrauterine condition of the fetus. Scientist Kilian already in 1848 suggested that the fetal heart rate may change due to intrauterine hypoxia. Thanks to this assumption, an obstetric stethoscope was invented and developed. It began to be used quite widely by the time scientists discovered that it was possible to more accurately track the heartbeat using an electrocardiogram. Later, ultrasound and CTG were added to these research methods to obtain a more accurate and complete picture.
Today, thanks to the constant development and improvement of science and technology, it is not difficult to measure the fetal heart rate. The norm, defined in 120 - 160 strokes, indicates the normal state and development of the fetus, but deviations from it in a smaller or greater direction already make you think about the reasons. That is why, in order to avoid any problems in the development of the embryo, women undergo routine ultrasound examinations and cardiotocography throughout their pregnancy.
Cardiotocography is a combination of uterine contractions and fetal heartbeats. The results of such a study can give a lot of information about the life of the fetus. More specifically, the ECG allows you to evaluate:
- the value of the average heart rate;
- a response change in the fetal heartbeat to its movement;
- change in heartbeat as a result of uterine contractions;
- the presence of a decrease or increase in heart rate.
When a doctor examines a fetal heart rate, the norm is of great importance for him. This is due to the fact that exceeding the rate of contractions can indicate a poor and insufficient supply of oxygen to the fetus. This condition is called tachycardia in medicine. But the heart rate below the norm may indicate a deterioration in the general condition of the fetus. Heart rate below 120 beats / min. may be the cause of placental insufficiency or fetal hypoxia. This condition is called bradycardia. The only condition in which low heart rate is the norm is the pelvic presentation of the fetus. If the embryo, which is no less than 8 mm in length, has no heartbeat and is not heard at all, then this most likely indicates an undeveloped pregnancy. However, in order not to make a mistake and make an accurate diagnosis, the doctor should prescribe a pregnant woman a second ultrasound examination. It is carried out after one week, and only on the basis of the repeatedly obtained results can concrete conclusions be drawn.
All women should pay attention to one small, but significant fact: the development of the fetus and its heart rate depend on the lifestyle that a pregnant woman adheres to. The rate of contractions of the fetal heart should be supported by the correct mode of rest and work of the future mother.