ABSTRACT
Early identification of fetal risks is a field of increasing interest and significance in most societies. A large body of research advocates various fetal assessment techniques to evaluate antepartum fetal risks. Such risks indicate the need for intervention that may reduce the risk of intrauterine death. Conventional techniques of fetal assessment include fetal movement counting, amniotic fluid volume test, sonographic assessment and biophysical profile, contraction stress test, nonstress test, vibroacoustic stimulation, Doppler velocimetry, and integrated methods. Fetal echocardiography is the most informative noninvasive technique for fetal cardiac assessment. Pulsed-wave Doppler is recommended for a complete evaluation of the fetal heart, especially in the case of fetal cardiac malformation or compromise. This technique demonstrates the blood-flow velocity through the cardiac valves. Fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring is a common method of fetal assessment. For this purpose, FHR can be obtained by different techniques, each with some advantages and disadvantages regarding the accuracy, costs, and possible duration of measurement.
