Cardiotocography or CTG is part of the pregnancy test. Even so, CTG is not routinely performed and is only recommended in certain conditions. For more details, come on, know what it is cardiotocography and when this check needs to be done.
CTG is a tool used to monitor the activity and heart rate of the fetus, as well as uterine contractions while the baby is in the womb. Through this examination, the doctor can evaluate whether the condition of the fetus is healthy before and during delivery.
If there are changes in the fetal heart rate or uterine contractions in pregnant women, doctors and midwives can be more alert and can provide immediate help.
How the Tool Works Cardiotocography
CTG generally includes two small plates that are attached to the surface of the abdomen using an elastic belt that is wrapped around the pregnant woman's abdomen. One disc is used to measure the fetal heart rate, while the other disc is used to measure the strength and contractions of a pregnant woman's uterus.
This tool can determine how often pregnant women feel contractions, the duration of uterine contractions, and the condition of the fetus in the womb when the contractions take place.
Before CTG is used, the doctor or midwife will first apply a special gel on the pregnant woman's stomach. After that, the disc and belt from the CTG will be placed on the pregnant woman's stomach.
After a few minutes, the CTG dish connected to the CTG machine will display data on uterine contractions, fetal heart rate, and fetal activity in the uterus via the monitor screen. The data can also be printed on special paper that depicts the CTG graph.
In contrast to the normal adult heart rate, which ranges from 60–100 beats per minute, the average normal heart rate in a fetus is about 110–160 beats per minute. If the heart rate is too low or too high, it could be a sign of a problem with the fetus, such as fetal distress.
Conditions Requiring CTG Examination
If the health condition of the pregnant mother and fetus is good, usually CTG is not routinely performed. It is enough to check the fetal heart rate using a simpler tool, namely: fetal doppler. The difference with CTG, this tool is only able to measure the fetal heart rate, so fetal activity and uterine contractions cannot be monitored.
CTG examination is usually only needed if the pregnant woman has conditions that are considered to be harmful to childbirth or the fetus, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia. This examination is needed to determine what actions may need to be taken to assist the delivery process.
In addition, CTG may also be necessary if the pregnant mother or fetus has the following conditions:
- Premature rupture of membranes
- Decreased or stopped fetal movements
- Fever
- Premature birth
- Bleeding during labor
- Twin baby pregnancy
- Problems with the amniotic fluid, such as amniotic fluid
- Disorders of the placenta
- Small baby size
- Breech pregnancy
CTG may also be performed to detect and measure false or false contractions Braxton Hicks and anticipating genuine contractions in pregnant women who have passed the third trimester of pregnancy, but have not yet given birth.
The CTG machine will produce results in the form of graphs according to the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions. The results of the examination can be categorized into reactive and non-reactive.
The condition of the fetus can be said to be nonreactive if the fetal heart rate does not increase after he moves. On the other hand, the fetus is called reactive if the fetal heart rate increases after moving.
In essence, when doctors recommend performing CTG, pregnant women need not worry because this procedure is safe and does not necessarily indicate a problematic pregnant woman. If pregnant women still need more information about the CTG examination, don't hesitate to ask the obstetrician, okay?