Using modified fetal monitor and signal processing to detect fetal breathing movement

Fetal breathing movements (FBM) are considered to be a good indicator of fetal well being. It is highly probable that fetal surveillance would be improved if a reliable indicator of the presence or absence of fetal respiration could be derived from the signal used by a standard fetal monitor. Analysis of the phase and mean frequency of such a Doppler signal shows a peak around 1 Hz in presence of FBM which disappears with their absence. The results of the processing of Doppler signals demonstrate the feasibility of an automated FBM detector that is no more complicated than a standard fetal heart rate monitor