Initiating cardiotocography at 20 or more weeks gestation is important for monitoring fetal well-being and identifying potential complications during pregnancy. By this stage, the fetus is sufficiently developed, and practitioners can utilize cardiotocography to assess both the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions effectively. This monitoring helps in identifying fetal distress, assessing the overall health of the fetus, and making informed decisions about the management of pregnancy.
Beginning this monitoring earlier than 20 weeks may not yield significant information, as fetal movements and heart rate patterns are not as well-established, while starting after delivery would be too late to provide any meaningful data. Waiting only for signs of fetal distress limits the ability to proactively identify and address issues that could arise during the pregnancy, potentially compromising both maternal and fetal health. Thus, 20 weeks gestation is the recommended time to initiate continuous monitoring using cardiotocography in a routine prenatal care setting.