Is a Fetal Heart Rate of 129 Normal?

Generally, a fetal heart rate between 120 and 160 is considered normal. Therefore, a fetal heart rate of 129 during pregnancy examination is a normal phenomenon and there is no need to worry. It is crucial to perform fetal heart monitoring during pregnancy, as it can provide a basic assessment of the fetus' health status. Especially during the second and third trimesters, it is essential to actively monitor the fetal heart. If the fetal heart rate is abnormal, a detailed examination should be promptly conducted to avoid missing the best treatment window.

(1) Excluding the influence of maternal fever and medication, the baseline fetal heart rate is persistently < 120 beats/minute or > 160 beats/minute.

(2) Baseline variability and weakening. The criterion is a baseline amplitude ≤ 5 beats/minute or ≤ 2 beats/minute.

(3) Frequent early decelerations with a deceleration rate below 100 beats per minute.

(4) The presence of frequent late decelerations with a frequency exceeding 20% of contractions.

(5) Severe variable decelerations with a frequency exceeding 30% of contractions or with a minimum deceleration rate of 60 beats per minute.

In most cases, abnormal fetal heart rate indicates oxygen deficiency in the fetus. The severity of the abnormal fetal heart rate often corresponds to the degree of oxygen deficiency in the fetus. However, not all abnormal fetal heart rates are caused by oxygen deficiency. Apart from the above-mentioned conditions, the condition of the pregnant woman herself also affects the fetal heart rate.

(1) Maternal factors that increase the risk of abnormal fetal heart rate include premature rupture of membranes, placenta previa, severe preeclampsia, abnormal amniotic fluid volume, advanced age, and placental gas exchange disorders.

(2) Fetal factors include umbilical cord entanglement, torsion, and knots, as well as premature birth and fecal contamination of amniotic fluid grade II-III.

If a pregnant woman detects an abnormal fetal heart rate at home, she should seek medical attention promptly for examination. This helps to identify problems in a timely manner and take measures to save the baby's life. For low-risk pregnancies, intermittent fetal heart auscultation is the preferred monitoring method during childbirth. However, the optimal interval for auscultation is currently unclear. For high-risk pregnancies, continuous fetal heart monitoring is recommended during childbirth. Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) is the primary method of intrapartum monitoring.