Evaluation of fetal heart rate monitoring for pregnant women driving on highways and open roads

Abstract

Women are increasingly driving automobiles during pregnancy. Pregnant women （33 weeks） with no abnormalities in the course of pregnancy were subjected to fetal heart rate monitoring during motor vehicle driving on highways and open roads, and the effects on the in-utero environment were examined. Fetal heart rate and uterine contractions were monitored remotely using a mobile delivery monitoring device iCTG. A drive recorder was installed in the car and observed along with the driving conditions. Results showed that fetal heart rate baseline during highway driving was within the normal range; however, the upper limit of the baseline showed a waveform transitioning to tachycardia, and the number of transient tachycardias increased significantly. Variability showed a trend toward an increase in its elevated range and fecundity on highways, whereas it was moderate and transient on open roads. Based on these findings, it was inferred that various psychological factors influenced the nervousness of the pregnant women driving on the highway, which in turn led to an autonomic nervous system excitation state of increased fetal heart rate. Further verification of the safety of driving on highways for pregnant women is suggested.