A Beating Heart
A recent study may help determine the likelihood that a mother will miscarry. Researchers examined embryo heart rates and the direct relationship to miscarriages. Slow embryo heart rates have always been a sign of concern for mothers. Now scientists are getting closer to distinguishing the boundary between healthy and dangerous heartbeat counts as it relates to pregnancy.
The study leaders told Reuters, "This study was carried out to see if embryonic heart rate could be an added marker for potential viability...or, conversely, for potential miscarriage." In the study group, slower embryonic heart rates were seen to directly relate to higher rate of miscarriage.
Fetal heart rate above 130 beats per minute had a 92% chance of successfully being carried to full term. As the number of beats per minute increased, so did the success rate for a full-term pregnancy. Women undergoing fertility treatments, such as IVF, should be aware of this relationship and closely monitor fetal heart rate as a signal of success or failure of the procedure.
Posted by Tala on 7/22/2009 4:45:14 PM
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