INTRAPARTUM FETAL HEART
RATE MONITORING
DEFINITIONS
Baseline Fetal Heart Rate (FHR): The mean FHR rounded to increments of 5
beats/min during a 10-minute segment. Normal FHR baseline is 110–160
beats/minute.
Tachycardia: FHR baseline is >160 beats/min.
Bradycardia: FHR baseline is <110 beats/min.
Baseline variability describes fluctuations in the baseline FHR that are irregular
in amplitude and frequency. It is a reflection of the autonomic interplay between
Non-hypoxic explanations include:
Maternal: medications (β-adrenergic agonists [terbutaline], atropine,
scopolamine), fever, thyrotoxicosis
Fetal: repetitive accelerations (from fetal movements), fetal
tachyarrhythmias, prematurity
Non-hypoxic explanations include:
Maternal medications: β-adrenergic blockers, local anesthetics
Fetal arrhythmia: congenital heart block (associated with maternal
lupus)