What should you know about a machine to monitor fetal heart rate?

Fetal heart monitoring, also called cardiotocography or CTG, commonly uses sensors placed on the abdomen. One sensor follows the baby's heartbeat and another detects tightening of the womb. Some situations call for closer or continuous monitoring during labour; a clinician may discuss an internal sensor when an external signal is difficult to obtain. The tracing is interpreted alongside your pregnancy stage, contractions, movements, medicines and overall condition. A change on the screen is not a diagnosis by itself, and the team may reposition a sensor or repeat the assessment.

Wear comfortable clothing and tell the midwife or doctor about reduced movements, pain, bleeding, fluid loss or medicines. You may need to sit or lie in a position that keeps the signal clear. During a longer recording, ask whether you can change position, drink water or use the bathroom. Follow the maternity team's instructions about eating, drinking and activity because these vary with the reason for monitoring and your stage of care.

Contact your maternity service promptly if you notice less fetal movement than usual, vaginal bleeding, leaking fluid, regular painful contractions, severe abdominal pain, severe headache or feeling seriously unwell. Do not rely on a home listening device to decide whether urgent assessment is needed. If you are already being monitored, tell the team immediately about pain, dizziness or a sudden change in movement.

Ask why monitoring is recommended, how long it may last, whether it will be intermittent or continuous, and what the tracing could lead to. Clarify how to report reduced movements and whether you can move, eat or drink during the recording.