What is the primary purpose of monitoring fetal heart rate during labor?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the main reason why fetal heart rate is monitored during labor. It wants you to choose the correct answer from the multiple choices provided.
Answer
To detect changes in fetal heart rate patterns that may indicate fetal distress, such as insufficient oxygen.
The primary purpose of monitoring fetal heart rate during labor is to detect changes in the baby's heart rate pattern that may indicate distress, such as insufficient oxygen. This allows healthcare providers to take timely action to protect the baby's health.
Answer for screen readers
The primary purpose of monitoring fetal heart rate during labor is to detect changes in the baby's heart rate pattern that may indicate distress, such as insufficient oxygen. This allows healthcare providers to take timely action to protect the baby's health.
More Information
Fetal heart rate monitoring can be performed externally or internally. External monitoring uses sensors placed on the mother's abdomen, while internal monitoring involves placing a electrode on the fetal scalp. The choice of method depends on factors such as the stage of labor and the presence of risk factors.
Tips
A common misunderstanding is that fetal heart rate monitoring can predict all potential problems during labor. While it's a valuable tool, it primarily alerts medical staff to possible oxygen deprivation of the baby.
Sources
- Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring During Labor and Delivery - merckmanuals.com
- What fetal heart rate monitoring can – and can't – tell us - utswmed.org
- Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring | Johns Hopkins Medicine - hopkinsmedicine.org
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