How to read a CTG - GM Flashcards
what is cardiotocography
used to monitor fetal HR and uterine contractions
most commonly used in the third trimester
the two transducers of CTG
one record fetal HR using US
the other monitors contractions of the uterus by measuring tension of the maternal abdominal wall (providing an indirect indication of intrauterine pressure)
DR C BRAVADO
DR - define risk
C - contractions
BRa - baseline rate
V - variability
A - accelerations
D - decelerations
O - overall impression
risk factors that may influence interpretation of a CTG
gestational diabetes
hypertension
asthma
multiple gestation
post date gestation
previous CS
intrauterine growth restriction
premature rupture of membranes
congenital malformations
oxytocin induction/augmentation of labour
pre-eclampsia
absense of prenatal care
smoking
drug abuse
contractions
- record number of contractions in a 10 minute period
individual contractions are seen as peaks on the uterine activity monitor
each big square is equal to 1 minute
baseline rate of foetal heart
average HR of the fetus in a 10-minute window
ignore accelerations or decelerations
normal baseline foetal heart rate
110-160 bpm
fetal tahcycardia
baseline HR greater than 160
causes include
- fetal hypoxia
- chorioamnionitis
- hyperthyroidsim
- fetal or maternal anaemia
- fetal tachyarrythmia
fetal bradycardia
baseline HR less than 110
when might fetal bradycardia be normal
it is common to have a baseline HR of 100-120 during
- postdate gestation
- occipul posterior or transverse presentations
severe prolonged tachycardia
less than 80 bpm for more than 3 minutes
indicates severe hypoxia
causes include
- prolonged cord compression
- cord prolapse
- epidural and spinal anaesthesia
- maternal seixures
- rapid fetal descent
variability
variation in fetal HR from one beat to the next
a healthy fetus will constantly be adapting its heart rate in response to changes in its environment
normal level of variability
5-25 bpm
indicates intact neurological system in the fetus
categories of variability
reassuring, non-reassuring, abnormal
non reassuring variability
less than 5 bpm for between 30-50 minutes
more than 25 bpm for 15-25 minutes
abnormal variability
less than 5bpm for more than 50 minutes
more than 25 bpm for more than 25 minutes
sinusoidal