The Fetal Heart Rate can be auscultated with a Pinards Stethoscope or handheld doppler for 60 seconds after a contraction every 15 minutes (1).

Using a Pinards stethoscope to auscultate fetal heart rate. Adapted from (4).

If a fetus is distressed abnormal patterns will often be heard but this type of monitoring is only appropriate if the pregnancy is low risk. If there are abnormalities Cardiotocography (CTG) should be instigated (1) (4).

One benefit of intermittent fetal heart rate auscultation is that the mother is not tied to a bed or chair (4).