Application of wavelet analysis in detection of fetal ECG

Abstract

The paper presents a new wavelet analysis method which is utilized in the detection of fetal electrocardiogram (FECG) from the abdominal signal. At first, in the monitoring of fetal heart rate and fetal ECG, the wavelet analysis approach is used to determine the position of the abdominal maternal electrocardiogram (MECG), and whether the MECG is in saturated distortion. The amplification of original signal and the enhancement of FECG is not limited. Second, in the coherence average of FECG, the wavelet analysis is utilized to enhance FECG so that the coherent average can get a more accurate reference. Third, in the elimination of baseline drift, the best scale of wavelet base function can be obtained to smooth the baseline drift. Tests on clinical data have shown that the proposed method can be effective in detecting the FECG signal in many cases when compared with other methods in practice.