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Cerebral Palsy Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring

Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring
When a woman is in labor, the attending medical staff continuously monitors her contractions as well as the baby's heart rate.  There is a correlation between these two values which helps determine if and how the baby is tolerating the labor.  The monitors tell us a number of important details. The heart rate details: a normal heart rate ranges between 110 – 160 per minute.  Bradycardia describes a condition where the heart rate drops below this range and Tachycardia describes a condition where the heart rate is more rapid than 160.  Both situations are to be avoided.   

Another factor that is monitored during labor and delivery is the onset of fetal heart decelerations -(an abrupt increase in FHR above baseline) which coincides with a contraction.  We can identify three types of decelerations:

Early Decelerations occur at the peak of the contraction;
Late decelerations occur very after the beginning of the contraction;
Variable – abrupt decrease in the FHR their shape is described either by a U or a V, so it is easily recognized.

Early decelerations (usually due to head compression) are positive indications that things are progressing normally.

Variable decelerations may be caused by cord compression which is common in labor and therefore not a cause for worry.  Variable decelerations become a cause for worry when they start to be deep and persistent. This can often signal fetal distress in not getting sufficient oxygen or blood flow to the brain.

Problems regarding the placenta can manifest in late decelerations and if they persist can indicate fetal distress that needs to be addressed.

 

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