Should You Use a Fetal Heart Monitor? Pros and Cons
Pregnancy is the greatest twist in the fairy tale of a family. For most fathers this is the moment when they begin to feel that their responsibilities of being the man of the house are finally coming to a gratifying dawn. Moreover, for many mothers, getting pregnant is one of the biggest phases of their womanhood, and probably the switch button to boost their self-esteem and sense of worthiness. Indeed, being pregnant (or having one’s wife pregnant) is fulfilling yet could also be a little worrisome. Different measures have to be taken up to ascertain the health of the baby inside the womb and to make sure that he (or she) progresses as positively as possible. Good thing their anxiety can hopefully be petered out by one of the greatest invention in the history of human conception: the fetal heart monitor.
Fetal heart monitors, or cardiotocography in the medical world, are used to record and monitor the heartbeat of the fetus during pregnancy, usually during the third trimester. The procedure is done to check if the baby has a normal fetal heart rate, if he has the right level of oxygen supply, and if he has imminent diseases or disorders that would materialize when he is born. There are different types of baby heart rate monitors being used by medical practitioners and even commoners who want to be sure that their unborn baby is alright.
Fetal monitoring could either be internal or external. Invented by Doctors Orvan Hess and Edward Ho, the internal invasive method uses scalp testing to see if the baby is receiving enough oxygen from the mother’s bloodstream. The external method, consequently, is non-invasive, being represented by the following procedures: fetal dopplers, fetoscopes, non-stress and contraction tests.
Typically, parents (or soon-to-be ones) regularly consult their doctors to monitor the unborn baby. But now, many parents take advantage of these baby monitors and use them without needing much assistance from their doctor. While this action provides them convenience and comfort, it might however put the baby in greater trouble most especially if the procedure is done improperly, and if the parents do not fully know how to interpret the results. That’s why most medical professionals still recommend the use of this gadget only if the user is guided and is knowledgeable about the specifications, details, and interpretation of the results of the machine.
Pros of fetal heart rate monitors:
- These monitors give parents, especially mothers, the psychological assurance that they are pregnant. Even before babies “kick” inside the womb, their heart pumps already. When parents are in doubt, they can always consult a monitor and verify their suspicions.
- Couples can monitor the growth of their baby. Prenatal monitors record the development of the child in regards to the heartbeat that is produced.
- Parents who have had a trauma from a previous miscarriage, or from an experience as such told by their friends, will be given comfort by aiding them with these monitors.
- When parents hear the sound of their unborn child’s heartbeat, it would strengthen the bond between them and their baby. This bond will bring the relationship to a new level as the couples prepare for parenthood.
- When the parents are assured of their child’s safety, they could focus more on their other important responsibilities and would be able to live comfortably without stress.
Cons of fetal heart rate monitors:
- When not used in the presence and supervision of at least one medical professional, the device might not be able to be used properly (for instance, not tracking the right spot for the heartbeat). This improper usage might result to anxiety, panic, and great levels of stress that might injure the baby inside the womb.
- These monitors could also give false hopes for parents. A child’s heartbeat is not the means and the ends to one’s healthiness. There are other sicknesses that the baby might possibly develop even if their heart rate is completely normal.
- Fetal heart rate monitors are only required to be used occasionally or somewhere in between the visits to the doctor.
- The cost of these monitors could be very expensive. However, there are many fetal heart monitor rentals available (even on the Internet) where couples can lease a monitor (most probably a fetal heartbeat Doppler) for a month with less cost than purchasing.
