What does FHT mean in PHYSIOLOGY

Monitoring FHT allows physicians to keep track of the fetal heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood flow. This information can help determine if a baby is healthy and growing as expected. A change in FHT may indicate an issue with the baby's condition that needs further investigation.

During routine prenatal visits, FHT should be monitored every 4 weeks until 28 weeks and then every 2 weeks until 36 weeks gestation. After 36 weeks, weekly monitoring may occur until delivery. For high-risk pregnancies, continuous monitoring will be recommended by your healthcare provider depending on your individual circumstances.

FHT is typically measured using a handheld Doppler or fetoscope during routine prenatal visits or continuous monitoring for high-risk pregnancies. Measurement involves listening to the sound waves from the fetus's heartbeat using these devices and counting the number of beats per minute (BPM).

If an abnormality in Fetal Heart Rate (FHR) is detected during monitoring, such as decreased variability or an unusually rapid or slow BPM over time, then further testing may be conducted to diagnose any possible issues with fetal health or development. Your healthcare provider will discuss further options with you if this occurs.

As with any medical evaluation it is important to discuss all risks associated with measuring and monitoring your baby's health with your healthcare provider before proceeding with any testings so that you can make an informed decision that best suits your personal needs and preferences.