Abstract: A method of monitoring a pregnant woman by identifying a moving organ in the woman and tracking or monitoring a movement of said organ using ultrasound. Optionally, the identifying is non-imaging. Optionally or alternatively, the moving organ is part of a fetus and a position of a head is optionally calculated form a heart position which is directed detected.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a birth process, comprising: receiving, over time, a plurality of position signals from one or more positioning elements or tissue areas located at least one of a cervix and a fetal head; and determining a discrete state of labor of a fetus that is wholly inside a body responsive to said position signals, with a temporal resolution of better than 15 minutes, said discrete state being other than a start or stop of labor and encompassing more than a single contraction, said state including a state other than an abnormal fetal head position.

Abstract: A birth monitoring system (100), comprising a monitor (120) including at least one sensor operative to measure a physiological parameter associated with labor; a posture sensor (130) which generates a signal indicative of posture of a mother (110); and circuitry which generates an output signal dependent on both a measurement of said sensor and a posture measurement of said posture sensor (130).

Abstract: A medical transponder, including an ultrasonic sensor that detects impinging ultrasonic waves and generates electrical signals in response thereto; an electrical connection which receives said signals; and an electromagnetic RF transmitter coupled to said electrical connection and which generates an RF signal in response to said detected waves.