Fetal Monitoring|Electronic Fetal Monitoring, Standard of Care, Fetal
Oxygenation, Uteroplacental Exchange, Fetal Circulation, Heart Rate Regulation,
Autonomic Nervous System, Baroreceptors, Chemoreceptors, CNS Influence,
Adrenal Function, FHR Accelerations, Maternal Factors, Placental Factors, Fetal
Hypoxia, Fetal Anemia, Maternal Cardiopulmonary Status, Uterine Activity,
Intermittent Auscultation, Continuous External Monitoring, Continuous Internal
Monitoring, Spiral Electrode, Internal Uterine Pressure Catheter,
Tocotransducer, Ultrasound Transducer, Baseline FHR, Tachycardia,
Bradycardia, FHR Variability, Periodic Changes, Episodic Changes, Reassuring
Patterns, Nonreassuring Patterns Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Electronic Fetal Monitoring Standard of Care
■“Nurses who care for women during the childbirth process are legally responsible for correctly
interpreting FHR patterns, initiating appropriate nursing interventions based on the pattern seen, and
documenting the outcome of those interventions.”
Fetal Oxygenation
■Adequate fetal oxygenation requires five related factors.
–Normal flow of oxygenated maternal blood into the placenta
–Normal exchange within the placenta
–Patent umbilical cord vessels
,–Normal fetal circulation
–Oxygen carrying function
Uteroplacental Exchange and Fetal Circulation
Fetal Heart Rate Regulation
• Autonomic nervous system
• Baroreceptors (like moms BP)
▪Chemoreceptors (glucose, oxygen)
• Adrenal glands
• Central nervous system
<32 weeks babies have less notable accelerations
Influences on Fetal Oxygenation
■Placenta
,–Disruptions in umbilical blood flow
–Placental disruptions
■Fetal factors
–Hypoxia
–Fetal Anemia
■Maternal factors
–Maternal Cardiopulmonary Alterations = hypotension, asthma, etc
–Uterine Activity
Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring Devices
■Hand held doppler
■Fetoscope
Electronic Fetal Heart Monitor
, Electronic Fetal Monitor Paper
Methods of Fetal Monitoring
■Intermittent auscultation
■Continuous external
■Continuous internal
***get your moms that aren't high risk on a MONICA/portable monitor so she can be up and
moving/walking/yoga ball
■External monitor
■External
–Ultrasound transducer
–Tocotransducer
Internal Monitoring