Which of the following is a common method of monitoring fetal health?

Fetal heart rate monitoring is an essential component of assessing fetal health during pregnancy. This method allows healthcare providers to observe the baby's heart rate patterns, which can provide insights into the baby's condition, such as how well they are handling stress during labor or how they are responding to uterine contractions.

Regular monitoring can help detect any abnormalities, such as fetal distress, which may indicate that the baby is not receiving enough oxygen. Variability in the fetal heart rate is also a key indicator of a healthy nervous system. The use of electronic fetal monitoring is common during labor, and non-stress tests may also be performed in outpatient settings to ensure the baby is thriving.

In contrast, other methods listed, such as daily urinalysis, are not direct measures of fetal health. While routine physical exams can provide some general health information, they do not specifically monitor the fetus. Contacting patients weekly may facilitate communication but does not constitute an effective method of monitoring fetal health on its own.