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Physiologic monitors designed for continuous measurement and display of information of the fetus status, including the fetal heart rate (FHR); other fetal cardiac parameters; and, frequently, fetal movement and development and mother\'s uterine contractions. Fetal monitors (also known as cardiotocographs) consist of a central unit with electronic circuits that can process a signal from sensors (e.g., electrodes). They may sense both FHR and uterine contractions from the surface of the maternal abdomen (indirect, noninvasive method), or directly through electrodes in the fetus and pressure transducers in the uterus (direct, invasive method). They are available as antepartum and intrapartum fetal monitors, respectively.
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