In pregnancy and during labor, your healthcare provider will want to check the health of your unborn baby (fetus). This is done by checking the baby's heart rate and other functions. Fetal monitoring is a very common procedure. Monitoring can be done in 2 ways. It can be done on the outside of your belly (external monitoring). Or it can be done directly on the baby while inside your uterus (internal monitoring):

External monitoring: This may be done with a special tool called a fetoscope. It's a stethoscope that has a different shape. It may also be done using Doppler. This is an electronic tool that uses sound waves and a computer.

Internal monitoring: A small wire (electrode) is put on your baby's head while he or she is inside your uterus.

Fetal heart rate monitoring is used to check the rate and rhythm of the heartbeats. It looks for any increases or decreases in the baby's heartbeat. It also checks how much the baby's heart rate changes. The average fetal heart rate is between 110 and 160 beats per minute. The fetal heart rate may change as the baby responds to conditions in the uterus. An abnormal fetal heart rate or pattern may mean that the baby is not getting enough oxygen or there are other problems. An abnormal pattern also may mean that an emergency cesarean section (C-section) delivery is needed.