Extraction of the abdominal fetal electrocardiogram for use as an indicator of antenatal fetal status

Fetal assessment during labour using the fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) obtained via a scalp electrode is in an advanced stage of development. In order to apply a similar technique antenatally the FECG must be extracted via electrodes placed on the mother's body. Instrumentation has been specifically designed for this purpose and used to record signals from the abdomen of an initially 24 weeks pregnant volunteer at weekly intervals until term. These studies provided valuable experience in the practice of obtaining such data. Examples of the recordings obtained at approximately 4 weekly intervals during the 16 week study and, following its extraction, the corresponding coherently averaged FECGs are given. The successful acquisition of signals of an adequate standard and their subsequent analysis suggests that antenatal fetal assessment in this manner is feasible.