<unk>  <unk>  is a technique used to monitor the fetal heartbeat and the uterine contractions during pregnancy and labour. The machine used to perform the monitoring is called a<unk>  Fetal heart sounds was described as early as 350 years ago and approximately 200 years ago mechanical stethoscopes, such as the Pinard horn, were introduced in clinical practice. Modern-day<unk>  was developed and introduced in the 1950s and early 1960s by Edward Hon, Roberto Caldeyro-Barcia and Konrad Hammacher. The first commercial fetal monitor (Hewlett-Packard 8020A) was released in 1968.<unk>  monitoring is widely used to assess fetal wellbeing by identifying babies at risk of hypoxia (lack of oxygen).<unk>  is mainly used during labour. A review found that in the antenatal period (before labour), there is no evidence to suggest that monitoring women with high-risk pregnancies benefits the mother or baby, although research around this is old and should be interpreted with caution. Up-to-date research is needed to provide more information surrounding this practice.<unk>  monitoring can sometimes lead to medical interventions which are not necessarily needed.
Cardiotocography
Vectorcardiography
Electrical cardiometry
Holter monitor
Electrocardiography
Sphygmograph
Magnetocardiography
Electrocochleography