APPLICATION OF INTRAPARTUM ELECTRONIC FETAL MONITORING AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS

Songül AKTA޹ , Mehmet A. OSMANAĞAOĞLU²

Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM) is electronically printing heart rate of fetal (FHR) synchronously with myometrium contractions. Intrapartum EFM is one of the most commonly used obstetrical practices used in the evaluation of fetal well-being. The purpose of this review is to provide information about the types and application frequency of EFM which is widely applied in the labor, its four basic patterns, three-category classification system for FKH tracings, the monitoring of the fetus according to this system and to reveal the basic responsibilities of health care professionals (such as midwife, obstetricians) in EFM applications. With EFM, it is aimed to identify a possible fetal hypoxia condition early and to prevent neonatal sequelae and death by performing necessary care and treatment services. While EFM’s positive predictive value in determining healthy fetuses is very high, this value is not high in determining asphyxiated fetuses. The effectiveness of intrapartum EFM depends on a good interpretation of FKH in tracing with all its patterns (basal speed, acceleration, deceleration and variability) and monitoring the fetus with standardized categorical protocols in parallel with this interpretation. Healthcare professionals have important responsibilities on application, interpretation and monitoring of EFM.

Keywords
Intrapartum, Fetal Heart Rate, Electronic FetalMonitoring, Three-Category Classification, Healthcare Professionals,