Real-time intrapartum fetal ECG analysis

During labour, it is believed that the fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) provides a more accurate indication of fetal distress, than monitoring fetal heart rate alone. For this reason, a real-time FECG analysis system has been built with the versatility of displaying a choice of parameters. The system obtains the scalp-clip derived FECG from a commercially available CTG monitor (provided by Oxford Instruments). The digitised data is then sent via an optical serial link to a PC, on which a Windows program performs the analysis. To validate the full system, a software FECG simulator with digital and analogue output has been produced. In addition, a theoretical analysis of the frequency content of the FECG has been performed, to ensure that the necessary front-end signal-conditioning leaves the FECG undistorted.