Non-invasive fetal heartbeat detection using vibration sensing system

Abstract

Monitoring the fetal heartbeat is essential for obtaining information about fetal condition during pregnancy. By measuring the maternal uterine contractions, the movement of the fetus and the fetal heart rate can be detected. The NST method is used to obtain the fetal heart rate. The ECG method is useful to observe heart rhythm. In this study, a system that can detect fetal heartbeat signal using vibration sensors is proposed. For vibration measurement, a band-type devise with sensors is proposed. The band was wrapped around the mother's stomach to sensing signals generated by fetus. Through frequency analysis, the results provide characteristics of signals. In order to extract the fetal heartbeat signal, appropriate signal processing for denoising is performed. Processed signal was divided into several IMFs using the CEEMDAN method. The maternal heartbeat signal and fetal heartbeat signal were separated from the IMF.