Fetal Movement and Fetal Heart Rate Patterns

Fetal Movement

- Fetal movement can be felt by the mother beginning 18th to 20th weeks of pregnancy and reaches a peak at 29th to 38th weeks.
Normally, 2 times every ten minutes that it can be counted to move 10-12 times an hour.
Any fetal movement fewer than 5 (half the normal number) in a chosen hour of observation should be reported.
Cardift's count of ten means that having less than 10 counts in 10 hours calls for further evaluation.
Placental insufficiency will greatly decrease the fetal movement. Maternal intake of depressant drugs, alcohol and smoking can reduce its movement, too.
Fetal movements are not usually present in sleeping fetus.


Fetal Heart Rate Patterns

Type I (early deceleration) - caused by head compression - nursing responsibility: continuing FHR monitoring

Type II (late deceleration) - caused by uteroplacental insufficiency - nursing responsibility: turn patient to left lateral position. Give oxygen at 6-10 L/min via mask. Discontinue oxytocin if in use. Notify physician.

Type III (variable deceleration) - caused by umbilical cord compression) - nursing responsibility: change patient position. Give O2 @ 6-10 L/min via mask. Notify physician.

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