Fetal Monitoring

Fetal monitoring can be done continuously by using an external tocodynamometer monitor. External monitoring is a noninvasive procedure that allows the nurse to observe the fetal heart tones and uterine contractions. Internal fetal monitoring is recommended if fetal heart tones and contractions cannot be evaluated externally. The duration of a contraction is evaluated by measuring from the beginning of a contraction to the end of the same contraction. The frequency of a contraction is evaluated by measuring from the beginning of one contraction to the beginning of the next contraction or from the peak of one contraction to the peak of the next contraction.

Bradycardia is a deceleration of fetal heart tones. Decelerations are associated with fetal hypoxia. The three types of decelerations are