The electronic fetal heart monitor (EFM) [1] is a device that is responsible for determining the wellbeing of the baby during labor and delivery. The EFM and its role consists of monitoring the baby’s heart beats and rhythm, along with the mother’s contractions, among other things. The EFM will show the readings on the strips as the mother goes through labor and delivery. In some instances, the doctors and nurses might make notes on the strip to assist with monitoring.

Commonly, an EFM is done using an ultrasound transducer that is attached to the mother’s abdomen. The role of the transducer is to send readings to a machine that records the printout of the baby’s heartbeats and the mother’s contractions. With these readings, the doctors and nurses can determine the health and wellbeing of the baby.

[1] American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring During Labor https://www.acog.org/womens-health/faqs/fetal-heart-rate-monitoring-during-labor