CTG

CTG stands for CardioTocoGram. This is a heart film of the baby with which the condition of the child can be assessed. A CTG may be necessary when you no longer feel the baby moving properly, or when you are approaching 42 weeks of pregnancy.

The research

A CTG is performed and assessed by the gynecologist and therefore always takes place in the hospital. For this test, you need to lie on a bed and two straps are placed around your abdomen to hold two sensors in place. One sensor is for your baby's heartbeat and the other for (possible) contractions of your uterus such as hard bellies or (pre) contractions. A CTG examination takes at least half an hour. Sometimes it is necessary to register a little longer, for example if your baby is sleeping. The heart film cannot then be properly assessed.

During childbirth

If you give birth in the hospital with a medical indication, a CTG will always be made during the contractions to monitor the condition of your baby. There are a number of wireless CTGs available. This gives you more freedom of movement, since you are not tied to a device with wires. This is nice for a birthing stool or for walking around, and can also be used in the shower.

If the membranes have already broken during childbirth, the baby's heartbeat can also be registered via a skull electrode. A small wire is then placed on the baby's scalp and connected to the CTG. The skull electrode then replaces one of the sensors on your abdomen. The advantage of this is that as a woman giving birth you get a little more freedom of movement, because one of the straps can be removed from your belly.