Intrapartum fetal monitoring

Intrapartum fetal monitoring is a set of methods used to prevent fetal hypoxia in an attempt to prevent the consequences of hypoxia (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, fetal death). The goal is to distinguish unaltered fetuses, altered fetuses with a preserved ability to compensate (increased blood floe, change in metabolism) and altered fetuses that are no longer capable of compesation.

Currently, mainly three different methods are used: cardiotocography (CTG), fetal ECG (ST-analysis, STAN) and fetal pulse oxymetry (FPO). Saling's method of determing blood gases from a drop of blood taken from child's head is rarely used.



Cardiotocography
Cardiotocography (CTG) is a method of fetal monitoring using the simultaneous recording of fetal heart rate ( cardiotachogram ) and uterine contractions ( tocogram ). Modern devices enable a third signal modality in the form of recording fetal movements. The method is based on the fact that hypoxic changes affect the hemodynamics of the fetus and changes in the uteroplacental circulation will be manifested by a change in the frequency of fetal echoes.

Independent CTG diagnosis is in agreement with the diagnosis of hypoxia of the newborn after birth in 50-60%. The simultaneous use of CTG and STAN will reduce the incidence of metabolic acidosis by 60% and the number of operations for fetal distress by 25%.

Physiology of uterine contraction
The basal tone of the uterus is around 10 mmHg. At a pressure exceeding 20 mmHg, the venous flow through the uterus stops. At a pressure exceeding 60 mmHg, the arterial flow through the uterus stops (physiologically, the part of contraction lasting approx. 20 s). A healthy fetus has compensatory mechanisms (increase in flow, change in metabolism). However, if the refractory phases between contractions are not long enough, the contractions are arrhythmic, the contraction frequency is too high, the contractions are too long, or the basal tone itself is elevated above 20 mmHg, the fetal compensatory mechanisms are exhausted. Thus, an unaltered fetus gradually becomes an altered fetus and later an altered fetus incapable of compensation.



Tokogram
It is measured either by an external sensor, which mechanically measures the circumference of the abdomen, or by an internal one, which can be used to directly measure intrauterine pressure. Only the internal sensor can be accurately calibrated, but this is only used for research purposes. Only an external sensor is used clinically, whose absolute pressure values ​​are indicative only.

The length, intensity and frequency of uterine contractions can be estimated on the tocogram. As a guideline, the ideal contraction frequency is 4–6/10 min. It is important for the evaluation of medium-term phenomena in the cardiotachogram.

Cardiotachogram
The recording method is Doppler ultrasonography. It is possible to use an external or internal probe ( Hono's scalp electrode ), which is used if the external one slips.

We distinguish between long-term, medium-term and short-term phenomena.

Long-term phenomena
It is about determining the basal rate, it is a stable heart rate during a period of 5-10 minutes, from which medium- and short-term phenomena deviate.

Normal basal rate ( normocardia ) is 110–150/min. Mild tachycardia is a rate of 150-170/min, severe is over 170/min. At a frequency above 180/min, this is almost clear hypoxemia. Mild bradycardia is a basal rate of 100–110/min, severe bradycardia is below 100/min. and sometimes a very heavy rate below 90/min is distinguished, which - if it cannot be reversed otherwise - is an indication for acute or peracute termination of pregnancy.

Medium-term phenomena
We distinguish accelerations and decelerations. Accelerations are transient increases in frequency of 15/min from basal rate lasting longer than 15 s. Sporadic accelerations are a natural fetal catecholamine response to movements or to acoustic or mechanical stimuli. Periodic accelerations are accelerations occurring simultaneously with at least three successive contractions. Their shape is described (round, steep,...).

Decelerations are transient decreases in fetal heart rate with an amplitude exceeding 15/min. longer than 10 s. Sporadic decelerations (DIP 0) are not dependent on contractions, they are spiked, usually shorter than 30 s. They are usually a reaction to vagus irritation. If they are prolonged, it may be a decrease in uteroplacental flow as a result of aortocaval compression syndrome, large blood loss or shock. Periodic decelerations are dependent on uterine contractions and can be either early (DIP 1), late (DIP 2), or variable. Early periodic decelerations ( DIP 1) have a peak directly opposite the peak of the uterine contraction in the tocogram. The cause may be compression of the fetal head or umbilical cord complication. If there are 1-3 of them within 20 minutes, the CTG record is evaluated as suspicious, if 4 or more, then as pathological. Late periodic decelerations ( DIP 2 ) have a phase shift of 20–60 s relative to the peak of the contraction in the tocogram. They are the result of uteroplacental insufficiency, and when they occur, the CTG record is clearly pathological.

Short-term phenomena
There are deviations of the fetal heart action from the basal frequency of less than 15 s. With an amplitude of 10–25/min, they are in the so-called undulatory zone. The amplitude of 5–10/min is a narrowed undulatory band, which is caused by the attenuation of the fetal circulation, mostly by fetal sleep or pharmacologically induced attenuation. An amplitude of less than 5/min is referred to as a silent band. It is caused by fetal hypoxia. Termination of pregnancy is indicated after exclusion of sleep and pharmacological fetal depression. Deflections with an amplitude higher than 25/min are referred to as a saltator band. They are mostly caused by the umbilical cord complication, which the fetus tries to compensate for. Like a sinusoidal oscillation refers to variable short-term phenomena with an amplitude of 5–15/min changing their amplitude in a time period longer than 20 min according to the course of the sinusoid. They are a sign of chronic fetal hypoxia often caused by anemia (Rh incompatibility,...).



Evaluation
The CTG record is evaluated by an obstetrician and can be threefold (grades 1, 2 and 3, or the letters F, S and P):


 * 1) physiological recording (F),
 * 2) suspicious record (S),
 * 3) pathological record (P).

Method of monitoring
CTG is performed both before and during labor. It can be monitored either intermittently or continuously. Indications for continuous recording are: suspicious or pathological NST, meconium turbidity of amniotic fluid, prematurity, IUGR, maternal hypertension, previous cesarean delivery, epidural analgesia (due to a certain risk of maternal hypotension and subsequent fetal hypoxia), basal rate abnormality in CTG, oligohydramnios , postmaturity, suspicious CTG recording, application of oxytocin or prostaglandins, internal diseases of the mother (diabetes mellitus,...), infection, chorioamniitis, during the 2nd stage of labor.

Fetal ECG - ST analysis
Fetal ECG analysis (FEKG) or ST-analysis ( STAN ) is a fetal monitoring method based on the ability of the myocardium to respond to hypoxia.

During hypoxia, catecholamines are flushed out, β-receptors are activated. Due to the increased metabolic demands in the myocardium, anaerobic glycogenolysis occurs, lactate is produced and hyperkalemia develops. The resulting change in the cell membrane potential of the myocardial cells is manifested as ST depression. Hypoxemia, combined with additional stress, causes a further flush of adrenaline, increasing contractile activity that requires further glycogenolysis, which is manifested by an '''increase in the T wave. During decompensation, on the contrary, ST elevation occurs, whereby the ST segment acquires a biphasic course''' , which helps to estimate the degree of myocardial ischemia caused by fetal hypoxia and the degree of progression of metabolic acidosis.

The recording can only be evaluated after 20 minutes of shooting. The simultaneous use of CTG and STAN will reduce the incidence of metabolic acidosis by 60% and the number of operations for fetal distress by 25%.

More detailed information can be found on the Electrocardiography page.

Fetal pulse oximetry
Fetal pulse oximetry ( FPO ) is a method of fetal monitoring by determining fetal blood oxygen saturation. This is determined from the difference in the absorption of oxyhemoglobin and deoxyhemoglobin at 660 nm and 920 nm. It is measured on the fetal head during delivery.

The method makes it possible to reduce the number of cesarean sections, which would otherwise be performed unnecessarily.

Evaluation
In the first stage of labor, normal SpO 2 values ​​are 59% ± 10%, in the second stage of labor 53% ± 10%.

The readings are clearly pathological if the saturation is less than 30% for 10 minutes. A single value below 10%, if measured correctly, indicates a certain pathology.

Values ​​of around 80% or more indicate incorrect measurement (fetal blood is oxygenated by the mother, it cannot have such a saturation), measurement interference with the mother's saturation is likely.

The Saling Method
Saling's method is the microsampling of a drop of blood from the fetal head to determine blood gases. One-time sampling does not monitor the fetus continuously, repeated sampling is very demanding and too invasive (mutilating), therefore the method is not used much.

Related Articles

 * Cardiopulmonary resuscitation of the newborn
 * Neonatal hypoxia • Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy
 * Diagnosis of the condition of the fetus during pregnancy and during delivery • Hypoxia of the fetus