Description
Uses of a Fetoscope:
Fetal Heart Monitoring:
The main use of a fetoscope is to listen to the fetal heartbeat, which can be used to assess the baby’s health and development.
Confirming Fetal Position:
The fetoscope can help determine the baby’s position in the uterus by identifying the loudest heartbeat.
Prenatal Care:
Fetoscopes are commonly used during prenatal appointments to monitor fetal heart rate.
Reducing Ultrasound Use:
Using a fetoscope can reduce the need for prolonged ultrasound scans, which can be helpful in some cases.
Fetal Surgery Guidance:
In some instances, fetoscopy is used to guide fetal surgery, such as in the correction of spina bifida.
Biopsy and Tissue Sampling:
Fetoscopy can be used to obtain tissue samples for genetic testing or to diagnose certain conditions.
Treatment of Fetal Conditions:
In certain situations, fetoscopy can be used to treat conditions like polyhydramnios (excess amniotic fluid) or some congenital heart defects.
Monitoring High-Risk Pregnancies:
Fetoscopes can be used to monitor fetal heart rate in high-risk pregnancies where there are concerns about growth or development.
Fetal Imaging:
A fetoscope can also be used in conjunction with ultrasound to create a more detailed image of the fetus.