Cardiotocography is more exact, can be applied continuously and provides a document.
Intensive training is desired to adequately read, classify and interpret fetal heart rate patterns.
The stable heart rate pattern typical for state 1F lasts in the near term fetus on the average 20 minutes and the maximum duration is 45 minutes in the healthy fetus. For this reason it is advised to prolong antepartum recording of the FHR pattern up to 60 minutes, when there are no other explanations for a stable heart rate pattern. It is the so-called reactive FHR pattern, indicative of a healthy fetal condition. During labor and delivery frequently abnormal FHR patterns can be observed. Often decelerations are present, commonly of the variable type.