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What is the primary method of fetal monitoring that measures the fetal heart rate and uterine contractions?
Which of the following is an indication for fetal monitoring?
What is the normal range for fetal heart rate variability?
What is the purpose of internal monitoring in electronic fetal monitoring?
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What is a limitation of electronic fetal monitoring?
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What is an advantage of electronic fetal monitoring?
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Study Notes
Fetal Monitoring
Definition
- Cardiotocography (CTG) is a method of fetal monitoring that measures the fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions.
Indications
- High-risk pregnancies
- Fetal distress or growth restriction
- Multiple gestations
- Postdates pregnancy
- Oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios
- Abnormal fetal heart rate or rhythm
Components
- Fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring
- Uterine contraction monitoring
FHR Patterns
- Baseline FHR: average FHR over a 10-minute period
- Variability: fluctuations in FHR around the baseline
- Accelerations: abrupt increases in FHR
- Decelerations: abrupt decreases in FHR
- Tachycardia: FHR > 160 bpm
- Bradycardia: FHR < 100 bpm
Electronic Monitoring
Definition
- Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) uses electronic devices to record and display FHR and uterine contractions.
Methods
- External monitoring: uses a tocodynamometer to measure uterine contractions and a Doppler ultrasound to measure FHR
- Internal monitoring: uses a fetal scalp electrode to measure FHR and an intrauterine pressure catheter to measure uterine contractions
Advantages
- Continuous monitoring of FHR and uterine contractions
- Earlier detection of fetal distress
- Improved fetal outcomes
Limitations
- May not accurately detect fetal distress
- May lead to unnecessary interventions
- Requires skilled interpretation of tracings
Fetal Monitoring
Definition and Indications
- Cardiotocography (CTG) measures fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions in high-risk pregnancies, fetal distress, multiple gestations, postdates pregnancy, and oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios.
Components and FHR Patterns
- FHR monitoring and uterine contraction monitoring are the two components of CTG.
- FHR patterns include:
- Baseline FHR: average FHR over 10 minutes.
- Variability: fluctuations in FHR around the baseline.
- Accelerations: abrupt increases in FHR.
- Decelerations: abrupt decreases in FHR.
- Tachycardia: FHR > 160 bpm.
- Bradycardia: FHR < 100 bpm.
Electronic Fetal Monitoring
Definition and Methods
- Electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) uses devices to record and display FHR and uterine contractions.
- EFM methods include:
- External monitoring: uses a tocodynamometer and Doppler ultrasound.
- Internal monitoring: uses a fetal scalp electrode and intrauterine pressure catheter.
Advantages and Limitations
- Advantages of EFM:
- Continuous monitoring of FHR and uterine contractions.
- Earlier detection of fetal distress.
- Improved fetal outcomes.
- Limitations of EFM:
- May not accurately detect fetal distress.
- May lead to unnecessary interventions.
- Requires skilled interpretation of tracings.
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Description
This quiz covers the definition, indications, components, and patterns of fetal monitoring, including cardiotocography (CTG) and fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring.
