EFM
EFM
EFM
Definitions for
Electronic Fetal Monitoring
External
tocodynamometer
External devices for listening to fetus External continuous
ultrasound monitors
Fetoscope
Early wooden
stethescope
Doppler
“Get me outta here!” –
Love, Baby
Frequency of
contractions are defined
as the time in minutes
between the start of one
1 1 1 1 contraction and the start
minute minute minute minute of the next.
2 minutes
I
n
t
e
n
s
i
t
y
60 seconds
1 1
minute minute
Intensity measures the
strength of the contraction. IUPC Duration is measured in seconds
is the only quantitative from the start to the end of a
measurement of contractions. contraction.
Baseline FHR is the median rate to the nearest 5 BPM. A normal FHR baseline is
between 110 and 160 BPM. Below 110 BPM is bradycardia. Above 160 is
tachycardia.
150 BPM
140 BPM
Median 135
130 BPM
120 BPM
The fetal heart rate in the above graph has visually apparent variability
between approximately 130 and 140. The middle ground of this
variability, to the nearest 5 BPM, is 135 BPM.
Marked variability has FHR fluctuations over 25 BPM. NCC Monograph, 2010
Fetal heart rate accelerations-
Less than 32 weeks- 10 x 10
Acceleration
Greater than 32 weeks- 15 x 15
NCC Monograph
This abrupt drop in FHR
indicates umbilical cord
compression.
NCC Monograph
The gradual change of late
decelerations indicates utero-
placental insufficiency.
Late decelerations usually start after the
peak of the contractions. This gradual
decrease from baseline to nadir is over 30
seconds or more. These decelerations only
occur with contractions.
Early
Early
NCC Monograph
Prolonged deceleration Bradycardia Tachycardia
Pseudosinusoidal Sinusoidal