Fetal Assessment Flashcards
2 components of Antepartum fetal assessment
1) Maternal perception of fetal movement
2) Electronic Fetal HR monitoring (EFM) - CTG, NST, CST
Adequate Fetal kick count measurement after 28 weeks:
5 movements in 1 hour, 10 movements in 2 hours
Normal FHR
110-160 bpm
Causes of Fetal bradycardia (<110 bpm)
- Fetal congenital heart block/arrhythmias
- Fetal hypoxia
- Cord prolapse
- Epidural/spinal anesthesia
- Decrease in uterine blood flow (due to maternal HPN)
- Maternal hypothermia
Causes of Fetal tachycardia
- Maternal/fetal infection (most common)
- Chorioamnionitis
- 2nd stage of labor (activation)
- Maternal hyperthyroidism
- Drugs (betamimetics, methamphetamine, cocaine, tocolytic drugs, Parasympathetic drigs)
Single most important determinant of hypoxia or fetal acid base status
Variability
FHR Variability is a reflection of fetal _________ function
Autonomic system
Possible causes of decreased variability
- Hypoxia
- fetal sleep cycle (improves with VAS)
- Metabolic acidosis/acidemia (does not improve with VAS)
- congenital anomalies
- prematurity
Value of Normal variability (moderate variability)
5-25 bpm Variability
Value of Minimal variability
< 5 bpm Variability
Value of Marked variability
> 25 Variability
(consider acidemia)
Value of Absent variability
Undetectable variability
(consider cerebral hypoxia)
Definition of Fetal HR Acceleration (for < 32 weeks, and for > 32 weeks)
< 32 weeks:
Peak of ≥ 10 bpm above baseline for ≥10s but < 2 min
> 32 weeks
Peak of ≥ 15 bpm above baseline for ≥ 15s but < 2 min
Definition of Fetal HR Deceleration
Temporary decrease in FHR baseline < 110 for < 2 min.
Type of Fetal HR Deceleration:
Symmetrical gradual decrease and return of FHR to baseline associated with uterine contraction; WHEREIN the nadir of deceleration occurs after the peak of contraction
Late deceleration
Type of Fetal HR Deceleration:
Symmetrical gradual decrease and return of FHR to baseline associated with uterine contraction; WHEREIN the nadir of deceleration occurs at the same time as the peak of contraction
Early deceleration
Type of Fetal HR Deceleration:
Abrupt decrease in FHR ≥ 15 from baseline lasting ≥ 15s until < 2 min beginning at onset of uterine contraction; has a V or W shape
Variable deceleration
Type of Fetal HR Deceleration:
FHR deceleration ≥ 15 bpm from baseline lasting > 2 min
Prolonged deceleration
Usual cause of early decelerations
Fetal head compression (Common in Stage 2 of labor - dilatation to fetal delivery)
Usual cause/s of late deceleration
Uteroplacental insufficiency
- maternal hypotension
- placental dysfunction
Usual cause/s of variable deceleration
- Umbilical cord compression
- Oligohydramnios
- Placental insufficiency
Pathophysiology behind shouldering of V Waves in Variable deceleration
Uterine contraction > Umbilical vein compresses first > Slight increase in FHR > Umbilical artery compresses > Decrease in FHR > Umbilical artery decompresses first > Increase in FHR > Umbilical vein decompresses next > Normalization of HR to baseline
In a Non Stress test, FHR reactivity is measured by detecting ___________ in response to ____________
Fetal HR ; Fetal movement
Finding of a “Reactive NST”
≥ 2 accelerations in 20 minutes
*Acceleration: ≥15 increase in bpm above baseline for ≥ 15s but < 2 min
What is done after a Non-reactive NST to rule out fetal sleep cycles
Vibroacoustic stimulation.
Finding in a Non-reactive NST
< 2 accelerations in 40 mins
A Contraction stress test is a measure of uteroplacental insufficiency by detecting ____________ in response to ____________
Fetal HR decelerations; Uterine contractions
Finding of a Negative CST
No late or significant variable decelerations in an adequate strip (≤ 3 contractions in 10 min)
[NORMAL]