SAEVA Congress 2018 Proceedings | 12-15 February 2018 | ATKV Goudini Spa
The fetal thoraxes should be carefully evaluated to determine if there is a fetal heart rate ( fetal viability ) and to determine if 2 different heart rates are present ( common with twin pregnancies ). With most twin pregnancies , there is a discrepancy in fetal size .
Fetal positioning
The detection of the fetal head in late gestation (> 298 days ) is abnormal as is a fetus in posterior presentation . Most fetuses with this sonographic finding in late gestation have required assistance at the time of parturition as the head was back .
Fetal breathing Irregularities in the breathing movements of the fetus are an indication of fetal stress .
Fetal cardiac activity Fetal heart rate is too high if > 126 beats / min for fetuses > 298 days of gestation . Fetal heart is too low if < 57 beats / min if gestational age < 330 days , < 50 beats / min if gestational age is 330 - 360 days and < 41 beats / min if gestational age is > 360 days . A range of fetal heart rates of < 5 beats per minute or > 50 beats / min . is abnormal .
Cardiac arrhythmia
Fetal cardiac arrhythmias are also abnormal . Fetal heart rates that do not increase during periods of fetal activity are abnormal .
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