Fetal Assessment During Labor

The relationship between the fetal spine and the maternal spine.

The relationship of the fetal body parts to each other.

Vertex presentation: below the client's umbilicus. Breech presentation: above the client's umbilicus.

Abrupt, temporary decreases in FHR often related to umbilical cord compression.

A systematic physical assessment to determine fetal presentation, lie, and position

FHR slowing that starts after uterine contraction and continues

110-160 bpm

A cause of variable decelerations in FHR, restricting blood flow to the fetus

Low blood pressure in a pregnant person. It can be a serious complication.

Changes in the baby's heartbeat that can indicate problems during labor.

Monitoring the baby's heart rate and contractions during labor using internal devices.

Certain conditions can increase a woman's chances of developing pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy).

Actions taken to address problems during pregnancy, such as side-lying position, IV fluids, and medication adjustments.

Low blood pressure in a pregnant woman, potentially causing complications for both mother and baby.

The placenta partially or completely covers the cervix, blocking the baby's exit.

Premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall, cutting off blood supply to the baby.

Too many uterine contractions in a short period, potentially harming the baby.

High blood pressure during pregnancy, potentially leading to serious complications for both mother and baby.

In vertex presentation, the fetal heart tones are auscultated below the client's umbilicus, in either the right or left lower quadrant.

In breech presentation, the fetal heart tones are auscultated above the client's umbilicus, in either the right or left upper quadrant.

Leopold's maneuvers are a systematic way to determine the fetal presentation, lie, and position. This helps assess the baby's position and progress.

It's important for the laboring client to have an empty bladder as a full bladder can interfere with fetal descent and labor progress.

Accelerations are temporary increases in FHR above the baseline, usually in response to fetal movement or stimulation.

Variable decelerations are abrupt drops in FHR often caused by umbilical cord compression, restricting blood flow to the baby.

Late decelerations are FHR slowing that starts after a contraction and continues, often indicating fetal oxygen deprivation.

Interventions for variable decelerations include repositioning the client, stopping oxytocin, administering oxygen, and performing a vaginal exam.

A mnemonic used to help remember the causes of fetal heart rate decelerations. VEAL stands for Variable, Early, Acceleration, Late; CHOP stands for Cord Compression, Head Compression, OK, Placental Issue.

Continuous monitoring of fetal heart rate and uterine contractions using internal devices placed within the uterus and cervix.

Leopold's Maneuvers are a series of steps used to physically assess a pregnant woman's abdomen to determine the baby's position, presentation, and lie. They help determine how the baby is positioned inside the womb.

An empty bladder is crucial during labor because a full bladder can hinder the baby's descent and slow down labor progress. It can also make it difficult for the baby to move into the ideal position for delivery.

In a vertex presentation, the fetal heart tones are usually heard below the mother's umbilicus, either in the right or left lower quadrant.

In a breech presentation, the fetal heart tones are usually heard above the mother's umbilicus, in either the right or left upper quadrant.

Variable decelerations are sudden drops in fetal heart rate that are usually caused by umbilical cord compression, which restricts blood flow to the baby.

If variable decelerations occur, interventions may include repositioning the mother, stopping oxytocin, administering oxygen, and performing a vaginal exam to check for cord prolapse.

Late decelerations are a decrease in fetal heart rate that starts after a uterine contraction and continues. They can indicate that the baby isn't getting enough oxygen.

Late decelerations can be caused by uteroplacental insufficiency, a condition where the placenta isn't providing enough oxygen to the baby.