What are external fetal monitors used for?

External fetal monitors are used primarily to detect fetal heart rate and uterine contractions. This non-invasive method involves the application of sensors on the mother's abdomen. One sensor measures the fetal heart rate by picking up the electrical signals from the fetal heart, while another sensor monitors uterine contractions by sensing changes in pressure on the mother's abdomen.

This method is widely utilized during labor and delivery to assess how well the fetus is tolerating labor and to monitor the effectiveness of uterine contractions. By providing continuous real-time data on fetal well-being and contraction patterns, external fetal monitoring assists healthcare providers in making informed decisions regarding labor management and potential interventions.