What Is a CTG Machine?

A CTG machine, or cardiotocography machine, is a clinical device that simultaneously records:

Fetal Heart Rate (FHR): The baby's heartbeat, measured in beats per minute (bpm)

Uterine Contractions (UC): The frequency, duration, and intensity of contractions

The output is a dual-channel printed or digital trace called a cardiotocogram (CTG trace), which obstetricians and midwives interpret to evaluate fetal well-being; both during labor and in the antepartum (pre-labor) period.

Why CTG monitoring matters: According to the WHO, intrapartum fetal distress is one of the leading causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality globally. CTG monitoring is the most widely used method to detect early signs of fetal compromise and prevent adverse birth outcomes.

CTG machines are used across a spectrum of healthcare settings:

Cardiotocography machine for hospitals — high-volume, multi-bed setups with central monitoring

Cardiotocography machine for clinics and maternity clinics — compact, single-patient units

CTG machine for nursing homes — affordable, easy-to-operate models with essential features

CTG machine for healthcare centres — portable or mid-range models suited for primary care

How Does a CTG Machine Work?

A CTG monitoring machine uses two primary transducers placed on the mother's abdomen:

Transducer

What It Measures

Technology Used

Ultrasound transducer

Fetal heart rate

Doppler ultrasound

Tocodynamometer (TOCO)

Uterine contractions

Pressure-sensitive sensor

Data flow:

Sensors capture real-time signals from the mother's abdomen

The machine processes the analog signals into digital waveforms

The output is printed on CTG machine paper (thermal roll) or displayed on a screen

Clinicians analyze patterns such as baseline FHR, variability, accelerations, and decelerations

Normal fetal heart rate range: 110–160 bpm. Patterns outside this range, or the absence of accelerations, may indicate fetal compromise and require immediate clinical review.

Who Performs and Interprets CTG Monitoring?

CTG monitoring is performed by trained midwives, nurses, or obstetricians in hospital labor wards, maternity clinics, and antepartum assessment units. Interpretation follows standardized guidelines such as those from FIGO (International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics) and NICE (UK). In India, the National Health Mission (NHM) guidelines recommend CTG monitoring for all high-risk pregnancies at district and tertiary hospitals.

How to Read a CTG Trace: Key Parameters

A CTG trace is evaluated on five core parameters:

Parameter

What It Means

Normal Range

Baseline FHR

Average fetal heart rate over 10 minutes

110–160 bpm

Variability

Beat-to-beat fluctuations in FHR

5–25 bpm

Accelerations

Transient FHR increases

≥15 bpm for ≥15 seconds

Decelerations

Transient FHR decreases

Classified as early, late, or variable

Uterine contractions

Frequency and duration of contractions

≤5 in 10 minutes (normal)

Clinicians classify a CTG trace as normal, suspicious, or pathological based on these parameters, following FIGO or NICE guidelines. A normal (reactive) CTG trace with good variability and accelerations typically indicates fetal well-being.

CTG Machine Steps (Modern NST/CTG – A4 Report + Mobile App)

Set up the CTG device — Turn on the machine and connect it to the mobile app for real-time monitoring.

Position the patient correctly — Keep the mother in a semi-reclining or left lateral position for accurate readings.

Place CTG probes — Attach the fetal heart rate probe and contraction (toco) probe on the abdomen.

Secure and check signals — Fix probes with belts and ensure a clear, continuous fetal heart rate signal.

Start NST/CTG recording — Begin the test and monitor fetal heart rate and uterine contractions live on the app.

Monitor for 20 minutes — Observe patterns, variability, and movements during the test duration.

Generate A4 report & save digitally — Download/print the CTG report on an A4 sheet and store it in the mobile app for easy tracking and long-term records.

CTG Monitoring Machine vs. Fetal Monitor: Key Differences

These terms are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle distinctions:

Feature

CTG Monitoring Machine

Basic Fetal Doppler Monitor

What it records

FHR + uterine contractions

FHR only

Output

Printed trace + digital display

Audio/digital display only

Clinical use

Labor ward, antepartum assessment

Quick spot checks in OPD

Cost

₹40,000 – ₹5,00,000+

₹3,000 – ₹25,000

Setting

Hospitals, maternity clinics

Primary clinics, home use

A fetal monitor CTG machine is the correct term when the device combines both Doppler FHR monitoring and tocometry (contraction monitoring) in a single unit, which is the standard definition of a CTG machine.

Types of CTG Machines

By Monitoring Channel

Type

Description

Best For

Single-fetal CTG machine

Monitors one baby at a time

Standard clinics, nursing homes

Twin-fetal CTG machine

Simultaneous monitoring of two fetuses

Twin pregnancies, high-risk units

Multi-bed CTG system

Central station + 4–12 bedside units

Labor wards in hospitals

CTG Machine Price in India (2025)

Category

Price Range (INR)

Best For

Basic portable CTG machine

₹40,000 – ₹80,000

Nursing homes, primary clinics

Mid-range wireless CTG

₹80,000 – ₹2,00,000

Maternity clinics, healthcare centers

Advanced multi-bed system

₹2,00,000 – ₹5,00,000+

Hospital labor wards, central monitoring

Prices vary by features, brand, and procurement model (outright purchase vs. subscription). Government and NHM empanelled institutions may be eligible for subsidized pricing.

Janitri Keyar DT Best Wireless & Portable CTG Machine

For clinicians looking for the best CTG machine that combines wireless freedom, portability, and smart digital features, the Janitri Keyar DT stands out as a leading Indian-made solution.

What Is the Keyar DT?

The Keyar DT is a wireless and portable fetal monitor developed by Janitri, a Bengaluru-based maternal health technology company backed by UNICEF, AIIMS, and the Government of India. It uses familiar Doppler and TOCO probes in a wireless avatar, making it suitable for both prenatal NST monitoring and electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) during labor.

Key Features

Feature

Details

Wireless probes

Doppler + TOCO — no cables, full patient mobility

Remote monitoring

Live graphs accessible on the doctor's mobile app, anytime

Auto-interpreted reports

Baseline, acceleration, STV, and other CTG parameters analyzed automatically

Twin monitoring

Monitors both fetuses simultaneously

Digital partograph

Automated WHO-guideline partograph plotting during labor

Cloud storage

Past reports stored and retrievable on demand

Central monitoring

Connect multiple devices to a central nursing station

Portable & compact

Designed for easy transport across wards and facilities

Price

₹5,990 (current listed price on Janitri website)

Who Is It Designed For?

The Keyar DT is purpose-built for:

Cardiotocography machine for hospitals — ward-wide or centralized wireless monitoring

Cardiotocography machine for maternity clinics — active labor support with patient mobility

CTG machine for nursing homes — affordable, easy to operate with minimal training

CTG machine for healthcare centers and medical clinics — smart digital reporting without heavy infrastructure

Portable CTG machine for hospitals — movement between beds, HDU, emergency departments

Frequently Asked Questions About CTG Machines

What is the normal fetal heart rate on a CTG machine?

The normal fetal heart rate range is 110–160 beats per minute (bpm). Values consistently below 110 bpm (bradycardia) or above 160 bpm (tachycardia) may indicate fetal distress and require immediate clinical assessment.

How long does a CTG test take?

A standard NST/CTG test takes 20–40 minutes. If the baby is inactive or results are non-reactive, the test may be extended to 60 minutes or repeated.

What is the difference between NST and CTG?

NST (Non-Stress Test) is a type of CTG monitoring performed before labor to assess fetal well-being without inducing contractions. CTG (cardiotocography) is the broader term that includes both antepartum NST and intrapartum (during-labor) monitoring.

Is CTG monitoring safe for the baby?

Yes. CTG uses external Doppler ultrasound and pressure sensors — no radiation is involved. It is a non-invasive procedure considered safe for both mother and baby.

When is CTG monitoring recommended?

CTG is typically recommended from 28 weeks of pregnancy onward, particularly for high-risk pregnancies (diabetes, hypertension, IUGR), post-term pregnancies, and during active labor.

What is a reactive CTG result?

Cardiotocography (CTG)

CTGs are used to monitor the fetus in the mother's womb. They are important for picking up signs of fetal distress.

The top trace is the fetal heartrate, the bottom indicates uterine contraction.

A useful mnemonic for assessing a CTG is DR C BRAVADO

DR  - Define risk - any cause for concern - fever, IUGR, maternal medical issues?

C - Contractions - > 5 per minute?

BRA - Baseline rate - should be 110-160 bpm. Sustained >160 bpm indicates fetal infection or hypoxia

V - Variability of Baseline rate - should be >5 bpm. Sustained reduced variability suggests fetal hypoxia

A - Accelerations - accelerations with fetal movement, or uterine contraction is reassuring

D - Decelerations - the timing, not the depth of decelerations is important:

Early Decelerations - occur with contractions - normal

Variable Decelerations - occur with cord compression, can --> hypoxia

Late Decelerations - Persist after contraction - suggest hypoxia

O - Overall assessment

Subsequent actions:

If sustained bradycardia --> deliver

If other abnormalities --> fetal blood sampling