Fetal Surveillance (CTG Monitoring)

Question 1

What is uterine hypertonus?

Answer 1

Contractions lasting >2 minutes or within 60 seconds of each other without FHR abnormalities

Question 2

What is uterine tachystole?

Answer 2

> 5 labour contractions (6) over a 10 minute period without FHR abnormalities

Question 3

What is uterine hyperstimulation

Answer 3

Uterine hypertonus or tachystole with FHR abnormalities

Question 4

What is an early deceleration?

Answer 4

Deceleration that starts and ends within the contraction. Usually shallow and uniform in shape. Often caused by head compression

Question 5

What is a variable deceleration?

Answer 5

Decelerations that typically have rapid onset and recovery. Variable in timing, depth and duration. Usually occur with contractions and are often caused by cord compression

Question 6

What is a late deceleration?

Answer 6

Deceleration that starts after the contraction has started and finishes after the contraction has finished (start late, finish late). Can represent hypoxia

Question 7

What is a prolonged deceleration?

Answer 7

Deceleration lasting longer than 90 seconds, up to five minutes. Generally caused by hypoxia

Question 8

What is fetal bradycardia?

Answer 8

Fetal baseline below 110 bpm for more than five minutes

Question 9

What is fetal tachycardia?

Answer 9

Fetal baseline above 160 bpm

Question 10

What can cause fetal tachycardia / a rising baseline?

Answer 10

Fetal hypoxia - baby is needing to work harder to compensate/achieve adequate oxygenation