How is the baseline fetal heart rate calculated?

The baseline fetal heart rate is calculated by averaging the fetal heart rate from continuous monitoring over a specified time, which is a 10-minute period. This time frame allows for a more stable and representative measurement by smoothing out any short-term fluctuations that may occur due to various factors, such as maternal movement, uterine contractions, or fetal activity. The technique of averaging over 10 minutes helps ensure that the baseline reflects the overall state of fetal well-being rather than being unduly influenced by transient variations. Therefore, averaging data over this designated time frame is the standard practice for determining the baseline fetal heart rate.