US Medical Term · maternity
Fetal Monitoring
Monitoreo fetal
Also: Monitorización fetal (regional variant)
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Fetal Monitoring |
| Spanish (Español) | Monitoreo fetal |
| Chinese (中文) | 胎兒監測 |
| Korean (한국어) | 태아 모니터링 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Theo dõi tim thai |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Fetal monitoring |
| Portuguese (Português) | Monitoramento fetal |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | การติดตามสัญญาณชีพทารกในครรภ์ |
| Japanese (日本語) | 胎児モニタリング |
What it means
Fetal monitoring tracks your baby's heart rate during pregnancy or labor to check for signs of distress. Two main types are used in labor: external monitoring, which uses sensors strapped to your abdomen, and internal monitoring, which uses a small electrode attached to the baby's scalp. Before labor, a non-stress test (NST) or biophysical profile (BPP) may be ordered to check that the baby is doing well. The baby's heart rate normally speeds up with movement. Decelerations or unusual patterns can signal that the baby needs more oxygen, prompting a faster delivery. Fetal monitoring is standard during labor and delivery in US hospitals.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
Why am I being put on continuous fetal monitoring during labor?
¿Por qué me están poniendo en monitoreo fetal continuo durante el parto?
My baby's heart rate showed some dips on the monitor — what does that mean?
La frecuencia cardíaca de mi bebé mostró algunas caídas en el monitor — ¿qué significa eso?
I was ordered a non-stress test — what will it tell you about my baby?
Me ordenaron una prueba sin estrés — ¿qué le dirá sobre mi bebé?
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
Z36 Encounter for antenatal screening of motherRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026