Fetal Monitors

Professional Fetal Monitoring for Pregnancy, Labour and Delivery

medical ECONET fetal monitors are designed for professional fetal surveillance during pregnancy and childbirth. They support healthcare professionals in monitoring important parameters and assessing their development over time.

The central technology is cardiotocography (CTG), which primarily records the fetal heart rate (FHR) together with uterine activity (TOCO).

Fetal monitoring systems are therefore an important part of professional equipment in:

• obstetrics and gynaecology
• maternity units
• labour and delivery rooms
• obstetric wards
• gynaecology practices
• prenatal care facilities

medical ECONET Fetal Monitors

CTG monitoring for obstetrics and prenatal care

A modern fetal monitor or CTG machine provides simultaneous monitoring of key information relating to fetal heart activity and uterine contractions.

The continuous presentation of these parameters supports healthcare professionals during prenatal assessment and throughout labour.

Depending on the model and configuration, different monitoring and documentation functions may be available.

CTG – Cardiotocography

Monitoring fetal heart rate and uterine activity together

Cardiotocography (CTG) combines two essential elements of obstetric monitoring:

FHR – Fetal Heart Rate
Monitoring of the fetal heart rate.

TOCO – Tocography
Monitoring of uterine activity and contractions.

Displaying both parameters together allows healthcare professionals to assess changes in fetal heart rate in relation to uterine activity over time.

Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

FHR as a key parameter in fetal surveillance

Fetal heart rate (FHR) is one of the central parameters used in prenatal and intrapartum monitoring.

Fetal monitors record the heart rate of the unborn baby and display its development over a defined period.

This means that fetal heart rate is not viewed simply as an individual numerical value. Of particular importance is the heart rate pattern over time and its relationship to uterine activity.

TOCO – Monitoring Uterine Activity

Recording contractions during pregnancy and labour

Alongside fetal heart rate, tocography (TOCO) is a central function of a CTG monitoring system.

TOCO is used to record uterine activity and display contractions over time.

During labour in particular, the combined presentation of FHR and TOCO is an essential component of obstetric monitoring.

Fetal Monitors for Gynaecology Practices

CTG for prenatal care

Fetal monitors are not used exclusively in labour and delivery units.

CTG systems can also be used in gynaecology and obstetric practices as part of prenatal monitoring.

For these environments, factors such as intuitive operation, clear presentation of measurement data and an efficient examination workflow are particularly important.

Fetal Monitors for Labour and Delivery

Continuous monitoring during childbirth

Fetal monitoring is a central element of patient surveillance during labour.

During childbirth, fetal heart rate and uterine activity can be monitored continuously and displayed in relation to each other over time.

In addition to measurement performance, obstetric departments may require straightforward operation, clear data presentation and reliable documentation.

Fetal Monitor or Fetal Doppler?

Two device categories for different applications

A fetal monitor and a fetal Doppler should not be considered equivalent devices.

A fetal Doppler is primarily used to detect fetal heart activity and make the fetal heartbeat audible.

A fetal monitor or CTG system provides more comprehensive monitoring and documentation.

For a clear shop structure, these two product groups should therefore remain separate.

Fetal Monitor or Patient Monitor?

Specialised systems for different monitoring requirements

A clear distinction should also be made between fetal monitors and conventional patient monitors.

A patient monitor is designed to monitor patient vital parameters such as ECG, SpO₂, blood pressure and other physiological parameters.

A fetal monitor, by contrast, is specifically designed for obstetric monitoring of the unborn baby and uterine activity.

For the V-MEDTECH category structure, this gives us a clear separation:

Patient Monitoring → Patient Monitors

Patient Monitoring → Vital Signs Monitors

Fetal Monitoring → Fetal Monitors

Fetal Monitoring for Singleton and Multiple Pregnancies

Select the CTG system according to the clinical application

When selecting a fetal monitor, it is important to consider the obstetric applications the system needs to support.

In addition to conventional CTG monitoring during singleton pregnancies, certain clinical environments may require systems capable of monitoring more than one fetal heart rate.

For hospitals and maternity units, the expected patient population and monitoring requirements should therefore be considered when choosing the appropriate system.

CTG Documentation

Clear presentation of monitoring trends

In cardiotocography, the current numerical measurement is only part of the information required.

The development of the parameters over time is particularly important.

CTG documentation allows changes in fetal heart rate and uterine activity to be presented in a clear chronological relationship.

Depending on the fetal monitor, different display, storage and printing options may be available.

Which Fetal Monitor Is Right for Me?

Clinical application and monitoring requirements come first

When selecting a fetal monitor, important factors include:

• use in a practice, hospital or labour ward
• required number of FHR channels
• TOCO monitoring
• requirements for multiple pregnancies
• display and user interface
• documentation options
• printing functionality
• mobility requirements
• required accessories

A gynaecology practice may have very different monitoring requirements from a busy hospital labour and delivery unit.

Frequently Asked Questions about Fetal Monitors

What is a fetal monitor?

A fetal monitor is a medical monitoring system used to assess important parameters during pregnancy and labour. During cardiotocography, it primarily monitors fetal heart rate and uterine activity.

What does CTG mean?

CTG stands for cardiotocography. It records and displays fetal heart rate and uterine activity simultaneously.

What does FHR mean?

FHR stands for Fetal Heart Rate.

What does TOCO mean?

TOCO refers to tocography, the measurement and recording of uterine activity and contractions.

Where are fetal monitors used?

Fetal monitors are used particularly in gynaecology practices, obstetric departments, maternity units, hospitals, labour and delivery rooms and prenatal care facilities.

What is the difference between a fetal monitor and a fetal Doppler?

A fetal Doppler is primarily designed to detect fetal heart activity. A fetal monitor or CTG machine additionally enables the recording and simultaneous presentation of fetal heart rate and uterine activity over time.

Can a fetal monitor be used for twins?

This depends on the particular model and the number of available FHR channels. For multiple pregnancies, a fetal monitoring system specifically designed for the required number of fetal heart rate signals should be selected.

Buy medical ECONET Fetal Monitors at V-MEDTECH

V-MEDTECH offers medical ECONET fetal monitors for gynaecology, obstetrics, prenatal care and labour and delivery environments.

Professional CTG systems enable the monitoring of fetal heart rate and uterine activity, supporting important clinical workflows before and during childbirth.

When selecting the appropriate fetal monitor, screen size and price should not be the only considerations. More important are the clinical environment, required monitoring parameters, documentation requirements and whether the system will be used for singleton or multiple pregnancies.