Fetal Heart Monitoring II
Maternity
Top 8 Strips to Know
Always assess FIRST!
240
As you can see, there are 2 strips here showing squiggly lines - similar to
an EKG. Fetal heart rate is on top - which we always assess FIRST!
210
180
150
120
90
Mothers contractions are on bottom. The double red lines represent
1 minute in time.
60
30
100
75
50
25
210
0
Variability: how jiggly or wiggly is the line?
As labor progresses, we180
expect the fetal
heart rate to have wiggly lines this is called variability.
Variability
Key Terms for FHR
Baseline: Normal FHR 110-160 bpm
150
Variability: how jiggly or wiggly is the line?
More wiggly = More happy baby
It means that the baby’s neuro system is
intact & the baby is happy!
In general we say
the more wiggly=more120
happy baby.
We have different types of variability, kind of like a traffic light.
The RED light where we STOP what we’re doing & run to get the baby out is
Absent variability: NOT jiggly = NOT good!
Types of Variability
Absent variability: NOT jiggly = NOT good!
Minimal variability: Flatter line that looks “sleepy & sad”
Moderate variability: Normal & desired finding!
Marked variability: Jagged jiggles = stressed baby!
Absent variability: NOT jiggly = NOT good!
Minimal variability: Flatter line that looks “sleepy & sad”
FHR 240bpm
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30
Moderate variability: Normal & desired finding!
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120
90
90
90
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30
30
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50
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0
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0
Marked variability: Jagged jiggles = stressed baby!
210
210
180
180
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150
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120
90
90
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30
30