Fetal Monitoring Flashcards
hypoxemia
low oxygen in blood
hypoxia
low oxygen in tissues
acidemia
high hydrogen ions in blood
acidosis
high hydrogen ions in tissues
asphyxia
hypoxia and metabolic acidosis
contraction frequency
time between beginning of each contraction/peak of each contraction
contraction duration
length of contraction
contraction intensity
strength of contraction (palpate) - mild, moderate, strong
resting tone
tone of uterus between contractions (palpate)
relaxation time
time between the end of one contraction and the start of the next
placental circulation - veins and arteries
one umbilical VEIN carries oxygenated blood to FETUS
two umbilical ARTERIES carry deoxygenated blood to PLACENTA (fetal lung)
fetal circulation is a _____ system pumped by ______
closed, fetal heart
where and how does oxygen exchange occur with baby?
intervillous space/placental lake in chorion; CO2 diffuses into placenta, O2 diffuses into baby
factors impacting placental perfusion
- tachysystole, hypertonus
- maternal: HoTN, HTN, DM, fever, stress
- placental: calcification, small size, infection, implant, abruption
during uterine contractions, which is compressed first/opens first, vein or arteries?
vein 1st compressed, then arteries
fetal reserve used
vein opens first, then arteries
what is electronic fetal monitoring?
continuous visual record of FHR and uterine activity
external fetal monitoring
- tocotransducer (measures uterine contractions, but cannot measure strength)
- ultrasound transducer (measures FHR)
internal fetal monitoring
spiral electrode – attached to fetal scalp
intrauterine pressure catheter – measures actual strength of contractions, but you must still palpate the fundus
normal vs tachysystole
normal: 5 or less contractions in 10 minutes, over an average of 30 minutes
tachysystole: more than 5 contractions in 10 mins (avg 30 min)
interventions for tachysystole
turn patient, turn off Oxytocin/Pitocin, palpate uterus for placental abruption, watch for BP drop and HR increase (hemorrhage!)