What are the two most important characteristics of FHR?
There are two features that should always be assessed: The baseline fetal heart rate. The presence or absence of decelerations: If present, the relation of the deceleration to the contraction must be determined. It is very important to compare the timing of the contraction to the timing of the deceleration.
What is FHR pattern?
Fetal heart rate patterns are classified as reassuring, nonreassuring or ominous. Nonreassuring patterns such as fetal tachycardia, bradycardia and late decelerations with good short-term variability require intervention to rule out fetal acidosis.
How do you calculate FHR?
Counting the heart tones: Once located, count the heart tones for a full minute in order to gain the most accurate results. It is acceptable to count for 15 seconds and multiply by 4; or to count for 30 seconds and then multiply by 3 in order to estimate the minute rate.
How is FHR baseline calculated?
The baseline FHR is the heart rate during a 10 minute segment rounded to the nearest 5 beat per minute increment excluding periods of marked FHR variability, periodic or episodic changes, and segments of baseline that differ by more than 25 beats per minute. The minimum baseline duration must be at least 2 minutes.
How do you read FHR contractions?
When you’re looking at the screen, the fetal heart rate is usually on the top and the contractions at the bottom. When the machine prints out graph paper, you’ll see the fetal heart rate to the left and the contractions to the right. Sometimes it’s easier to read printouts by looking at them sideways.
What is Category 3 fetal heart rate tracing?
Objective. NICHD Category III (CIII) fetal heart rate tracing (FHR) is defined as having either sinusoidal pattern or absent baseline variability plus recurrent late decelerations, recurrent variable decelerations, or bradycardia. We sought to describe demographics and neonatal outcomes associated with CIII.
What do early decelerations mean?
Early deceleration is defined as a symmetrical decrease and return of fetal heart rate (FHR) that is associated with a uterine contraction.
What is nadir in pregnancy?
Nadir: The lowest point, i.e in deceleration, this is the slowest fetal heart rate recorded.