Improving fECG signal acquisition in the evaluation of fetal well-being

The ability to monitor fetal heart rate is vital during late pregnancy and labor in order to evaluate fetal well-being. Current monitoring practice is essentially based on external cardiotocography and, less frequently, during labor, invasive fetal scalp electrocardiography. Many current and envisaged applications could benefit from simpler devices using a 3-lead ECG configuration. We are designing a maternity support belt with an embedded wireless 3-lead ECG sensor, and have investigated the influence of the ground electrode position on signal quality. Data from over 100 pregnant women was collected with the ground electrode placed in 3 locations in order to determine optimum electrode placement and belt form factor.