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Intermittent Auscultation for Intrapartum Fetal Heart Rate Surveillance
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal of midwifery and women's health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.543
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 1542-2011
pISSN - 1526-9523
DOI - 10.1111/jmwh.12435
Subject(s) - auscultation , fetal heart rate , medicine , fetal heart , cardiology , heart rate , fetus , obstetrics , medical emergency , pregnancy , blood pressure , biology , genetics
Standard evaluation of fetal well-being during labor includes the periodic assessment of the fetal heart rate, its pattern, and response to intrapartum stimuli and events. Effective methods of evaluation and meaningful interpretation of fetal heart rate data have long been the subjects of clinical debate. Intermittent auscultation (IA) of the fetal heart and continuous electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) are the most common methods of intrapartum fetal surveillance in current use. Most of the professional organization recommendations for fetal heart rate assessment during labor are based upon protocols used in randomized clinical trials that compared intermittent auscultation and electronic fetal monitoring. Guidelines based on evidence-based application of intermittent auscultation during labor are not available. This clinical practice bulletin reviews intermittent auscultation and includes recommendations for use based on the best available scientific data, the need to provide informed choice, and patient safety.