ACCELERATION
Increase in fetal heart rate (FHR); usually interpreted as a reassuring sign
AMNIOINFUSION
Infusion of normal saline or lactated Ringer's solution through intrauterine catheter into the uterine cavity in an attempt to increase the fluid around the umbilical cord and prevent compression during uterine contractions
BASELINE FETAL HEART RATE
Average FHR during a 10 minute period that excludes periodic and episodic changes and periods of marked variability; normal FHR baseline is 110-160 beats/min
BRADYCARDIA
Baseline FHR below 110 beats/min and lasting for 10 mins or longer
DECELERATION
Slowing of FHR attributed to a parasympathetic response and described in relation to uterine contractions
EARLY DECELERATION
A visually apparent gradual decrease of FHR before the peak of a contraction and return to baseline as the contraction ends; caused by fetal head compression
LATE DECELERATION
A visually apparent gradual decrease of FHR, with the lowest point of the deceleration occurring after the peak of the contraction and returning to baseline after contraction ends; caused by uteroplacental insufficiency
PROLONGED DECELERATION
A visually apparent decrease (may be either gradual or abrupt) in FHR of at least 15 beats/min below the baseline and lasting more than 2 minutes but less than 10 minutes
VARIABLE DECELERATION
A visually apparent abrupt decrease in FHR below the baseline occurring anytime during the uterine contracting phase; caused by compression of the umbilical cord
ELECTRONIC FETAL MONITORING (EFM)
Electronic surveillance of FHR by external and internal methods
EPISODIC CHANGES
Changes from baseline patterns in the FHR that are not associated with uterine contractions
HYPOXEMIA
Reduction in arterial oxygen pressure resulting in a metabolic acidosis by forcing anaerobic glycolysis, pulmonary vasoconstriction, and direct cellular damage
HYPOXIA
Insufficient availability of oxygen to meet the metabolic needs of body tissue
INTERMITTENT AUSCULTATION
Listening to fetal heart sounds at periodic intervals using nonelectornic or ultrasound devices placed on the maternal abdomen
PERIODIC CHANGES
Changes from baseline of the FHR that occur with uterine contractions
TACHYCARDIA
Baseline FHR above 160 beats/min and lasting for 10 mins or longer
TACHYSYSTOLE
More than five uterine contractions in 10 minutes, averaged over 30 minute window
TOCOLYIS
Inhibition of uterine contractions though administration of medications; used as an adjunct to other interventions in the management of fetal compromise related to increased uterine activity
UTEROPLACENTAL INSUFFICIENCY
Decline in placental function (exchange of gases, nutrients, and wastes) leading to fetal hypoxia and acidosis; evidenced by late FHR decelerations in response to uterine contractions
VARIABILITY
Normal irregularity of fetal cardiac rhythm or fluctuations from the baseline FHR of two cycles or more