Pregnancy tracing: what it is, what it is for, duration, when it is done
Introduction
If you are pregnant and expecting your first child, you will surely have heard of pregnancy tracing.
To clarify the peculiarities and indications of this exam , I have prepared the article that you can read in the following lines.
The information you will find can be integrated with the advice in the pre-birth video course “Nascere e Rinascere Madre” , conceived and curated by Doctor Maria Chiara Alvisi, the midwife at the Yule Centre .
I also remind you that, for tips on how to best manage your little one's motor development, I'll be waiting for you on Instagram on the profile @drsilva.com_official .
What is pregnancy tracing?
The pregnancy tracing , otherwise known as cardiotocographic tracing, is a non-invasive test that is performed both during pregnancy and during labor.
Using two probes that are placed on the mother's abdomen and held still with specific bands , it is possible to record the baby's heartbeat in the womb and the uterine contractile activity.
In case of twin pregnancy, three probes are used during the tracing.
It can be performed either in a hospital setting or in an outpatient clinic , with the mother lying on a reclining chair or on a bed.
Performed by the midwife , the pregnancy tracing is subsequently signed by the gynecologist.
The norm requires it to be done at the end of the pregnancy.
In cases where there is a need to monitor fetal well-being or in situations where there is a risk of preterm birth, it can also be done at 27 - 28 weeks.
