Patient's question:
My wife is 7.5 months pregnant. She went to the hospital for a check-up and found that the fetal heartbeat was 156 beats per minute (normal range is 120~160 beats per minute). Sometimes there are very slight fluctuations. Is it fetal movement? I feel a bit tight in my chest! What should I do~~~!Doctor's answer:
A stethoscope can be used to hear the fetal heartbeat. The fetal heart rate is generally between 120 and 160 beats per minute, noticeably faster than an adult's heart rate, with a clear and regular rhythm. If the fetal heartbeat cannot be heard after the pregnancy has progressed beyond a certain point, it is necessary to check whether the fetus is developing normally. At home, it is best for the expectant father to take on the task of listening to the fetal heartbeat using a simple home fetal doppler. Before the sixth month of pregnancy, the fetal heartbeat can usually be heard in the center of the abdomen or on the left or right side. After the sixth month, the fetal heartbeat is generally clearest over the fetal back. Listening to the fetal heartbeat not only helps determine whether the fetus is developing normally but also aids in diagnosing the fetal position.Before listening to the fetal heartbeat, the expectant mother should urinate first, then lie flat on her back with her legs straight. The expectant father should gently place the fetal stethoscope or a regular stethoscope on the location where the heartbeat is clearest, listen carefully, and count the heart rate accurately, recording the fetal heart rate for one minute each time. If the fetal heart rate consistently exceeds 160 beats per minute or is less than 120 beats per minute, or if the rhythm is irregular, it may be a sign of fetal abnormalities and should be treated immediately at the hospital. If possible, it is recommended to listen to the fetal heartbeat at least once a day to detect any abnormalities early. Additionally, the expectant father can also listen directly with his ear. Around the fifth to sixth month of pregnancy, the heartbeat can usually be heard. When listening, place the ear close to the side of the expectant mother's abdomen. When the fetal head is downward, the heartbeat is clearest on one side of the lower abdomen. When the fetal head is upward, the heartbeat is clearest on one side above the navel.