Fetal-Maternal Electrocardiograms Mixtures Characterization Based on Time Analysis

Monitoring the baby's heart with electrocardiography (ECG) during labor provides moderate support for mothers and babies when continuous monitoring is needed. Strong uterine contractions during labor reduce the flow of maternal blood to the placenta. The umbilical cord may also be compressed during labor, especially if the membranes rupture. Usually the baby has a sufficient supply to support this effect, but some may be suffering. Electronic monitoring of heart rate may be suggested if doctors believe that the baby may be hypoxic. Two different monitoring methods can be used. An ECG measures the electrical activity of the heart and the profile of the heartbeat. This implies that an electrode is introduced into the mother's neck and attached to the baby's head. This review of six randomized controlled trials, including a total of 16,295 women, found that monitoring the baby with the ECG decreased the number of blood samples to be taken from the baby's scalp and surgical assistance during the birth. There was no difference in the number of cesarean deliveries and very little evidence suggesting that babies were in better condition at birth. This paper presents a theoretical resolution of a problem of blind separation of fetal and maternal ECG signals in the case of a linear stationary mixture with only two electrodes. Validation of the theoretical results is done by MATLAB simulation.