GuidelinesOther guideline
ESMOE: Fetal Monitoring and CTG
ESMOE: Fetal Monitoring and CTG
Classification of intrapartum FHR trace features
Definition of normal, suspicious and pathological FHR traces
Classification of intrapartum FHR trace features (from NICE/RCOG guideline)
| Feature | Baseline (bpm) | Variability (bpm) | Decelerations | Accelerations |
| Reassuring | 110-160 | ≥5 | None | Present |
| Non-reassuring | 100-109 161-180 | <5 for 40-90 minutes | Typical variable decelerations with over 50% of contractions, occurring for over 90 minutes Single prolonged deceleration for up to 3 minutes | The absence of accelerations with otherwise normal trace is of uncertain significance |
| Abnormal | <100 >180 Sinusoidal pattern ≥10 minutes | <5 for >90 minutes | Either atypical variable decelerations with over 50% of contractions or late decelerations, both for over 30 minutes Single prolonged deceleration for more than 3 minutes |
Interpretation of CTGs
- Patient ID, time and date
- Paper speed
- Contractions
- Baseline heart rate
- Variability
- Accelerations
- Decelerations
- Categorise: normal/suspicious/pathological
- Management
Definition of normal, suspicious and pathological FHR traces (from NICE/RCOG guideline)
| Category | Definition |
| Normal | An FHR trace in which all four features are classified as reassuring |
| Suspicious | An FHR trace with one feature classified as non-reassuring and the remaining features classified as reassuring |
| Pathological | An FHR trace with two or more features classified as non-reassuring or one or more classified as abnormal |