fetal monitoring (unit 1) Flashcards
continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM)
•widely used
•sometimes controversial b/c keeps mom bedridden sec. to sec. makes hard to implement correct intervention
-slows labor
-can’t move for pain control
Intermittent FM
- listen to FHR w/ doppler at certain times
* more common at birthing centers, home, some hospitals
tocodynameter
- measures ctx
- placed on fundus
- has “button” to detect pressure
- don’t use gel
- monitor used in combo w/ FHR monitor (uses gel)
tocolysis
•stop ctx
vibroacoustic stimulator
- vibration device strapped on mom
* stimulates baby to make sure has adequate reactivity
maternal fetal unit
- mom
- uterus
- placenta
- cord
- fetus
placenta
•connects to uterus and surrounds baby
•no blood exchanged b/t placenta and uterus
-exchange of O2 and nut. occurs in lacunae b/t placental-utero junction
*mom and fetal blood NEVER mixes (ideally)
umbilical cord
- connects placenta to fetus
* fetal supply of oxygen and nutrients
good fetal O2 depends on…
- normal maternal blood flow and volume to placenta
- normal O2 sat. of maternal blood
- functional placenta
- functional umbilical cord
- normal fetal circulation
what can happen to interrupt O2 to fetus
- changes in maternal circulating volume
- uterine activity
- placental/umbilical cord problems/compression
- abnormal fetal conditions
what causes changes in maternal circulation volume
- hypotension
- vena cava syndrome
- drop in maternal O2
cervical os
•opening into vagina
what causes hypotension in preggo
- blood loss
* dehydration (esp. morning sickness)
vena cava syndrome
•vena cava compressed when lying supine
•causes hypotensive episode
•avoided by keeping on side or prevent from completely supine
-L side most cardio-restive
diabetes and placenta
•uterus is peripheral vascular site, so poor perfusion would lead to inadequate blood flow at placenta-utero junction
nuchal cord
- umbilical cord wrapped around the neck
- more complications w/ multiple wrappings
- termed “nuchal times ___”
how often EFM monitoring during labor?
- < 4 cm- every 30 min
- 4-10 cm- every 15 min
- pushing- every 15 min
- 2nd stage of labor- every 5 min
blood flow to fetus during labor
•decreased b/c as uterus contracts, the placenta is compressed, decreasing blood flow
assessing uterine contraction
- palpate fundus to assess frequency, duration, and intensity
- can also use external or internal monitoring
fundus
- top portion of uterus
* opposite of cervix
frequency of uterine ctx
•beginning of one ctx to beginning of next
•given in rage (compare 2 counts)
•each block represents 10 sec.
-measured in minutes
duration uterine ctx
- time b/t beginning of ctx to the end of that same ctx
* measured in seconds