How often should fetal heart rate be assessed during labor in high-risk pregnancies?

In high-risk pregnancies, continuous or frequent assessment of the fetal heart rate is crucial for monitoring the well-being of the fetus. During early labor, assessing the fetal heart rate continuously or every 15 minutes allows for timely identification of any distress or abnormalities in the fetal heart rate patterns. As labor progresses into active phases, increasing the monitoring frequency to every 5 minutes is essential to ensure that any signs of distress are quickly recognized and addressed. This vigilance helps healthcare providers make informed decisions about the labor process, interventions, and potential needs for emergency actions if there are signs of fetal compromise. The frequency of monitoring reflects both the urgency and the increased risks associated with high-risk pregnancies, emphasizing the need for close observation during these critical phases of labor.