Table 1 Non-directive guidelines used to help understand the meaning of the various alerts
Signal loss/maternal heart rate monitoring | Consider re-positioning the Doppler probe, changing to internal FHR monitoring, re-evaluating the scalp electrode connections, or changing the electrode |
|---|---|
ST signal loss | Consider re-evaluating the scalp electrode connections or changing the electrode |
Tachysystole (excessive number of uterine contractions) | Consider discontinuing/reducing oxytocin infusion or acute tocolysis |
Yellow alerts (tracing characteristics that do not fulfil the criteria of normality, but are not usually associated with significant fetal hypoxia) | Consider maintaining close monitoring and/or starting ST analysis if available |
Orange alerts (FHR+ST characteristics that may be associated with some degree of fetal hypoxia) | Consider reversal of hypoxic causes if possible, maintaining close monitoring, starting ST analysis if available, or performing FBS |
Red alerts (FHR+ST characteristics that are likely to be associated with fetal hypoxia) | Consider immediate reversal of causes of hypoxia if possible or immediate delivery |