Is a fetal heart rate of only 70 a concern?

Jul 16, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

I could detect the fetal heartbeat during my prenatal checkup, but the heart rate was only around 70. Is a fetal heart rate of 70 a serious issue?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Xiaodong
A fetal heart rate of only 70 beats per minute is a relatively serious condition. Fetal heart rate is an important indicator reflecting the status of fetal cardiac activity, with a normal range typically between 120 and 160 beats per minute. When the fetal heart rate drops as low as 70 beats per minute, it significantly deviates from the normal value, often indicating that the fetus may be in distress and experiencing suppressed cardiac activity. This condition may be caused by various factors, such as nuchal cord or oligohydramnios. These pathological mechanisms can lead to insufficient blood supply to the fetus, thereby affecting fetal growth and development and even increasing the risk of fetal demise. Therefore, once a low fetal heart rate is detected, immediate medical attention should be sought for professional treatment, such as oxygen therapy or intrauterine monitoring, to improve the fetal condition. Additionally, pregnant women should regularly monitor fetal heart rate during pregnancy, maintain healthy lifestyle habits, avoid excessive fatigue and emotional stress, and ensure adequate sleep to help reduce the occurrence of adverse pregnancy outcomes.