Fetal activity is generally a reassuring sign of well-being. Women are often asked to count fetal movements regularly during the last trimester of pregnancy. You may be asked to set aside specific times to lie down on your back or side and count the number of times the baby moves or kicks. Three or more movements in a 2 hour period is considered normal. Contact your obstetrician if you feel fewer than three movements to determine if other tests are needed.
Modern instruments make it possible to monitor the baby's heart rate before delivery.
Currently, there are two types of fetal monitors - internal and external. The internal monitor consists of a small wire electrode attached directly to the scalp of the fetus after the membranes have ruptured itself. The external monitor uses transducers secured to the mother's abdomen by an elastic belt. One transducer records the baby's heart rate by a sensitive microphone called a Doppler. The other transducer measures the firmness of the abdomen during a contraction of the uterus.