Fetal Heart Rate Interpretation in the Second Stage of Labour: Pearls and Pitfalls
Sian McDonnell, Edwin Chandraharan
Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research · pp. 957–970 · Published 10 Apr 2015
10.9734/BJMMR/2015/17022Abstract
It is vital to determine whether a fetus is showing a normal physiological response to the stress of labour or if the fetus is exposed to intrapartum hypoxia to ensure timely and appropriate management. Failure to interpret fetal heart rate correctly during second stage of labour may lead to increased maternal and neonatal morbidity due to an unnecessary caesarean section or an instrumental vaginal delivery. Conversely, delay in timely and appropriate intervention can also result in increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. This review addresses the pathophysiology behind features observed on the CTG trace as well as the types of intrapartum hypoxia during second stage of labour and aims to identify common pitfalls including inadvertent monitoring of maternal heart rate as well as monitoring and interpretation of cardiotocograph of twin pregnancies in the second stage of labour.
Cited by 12
Maria OIKONOMOU, Edwin CHANDRAHARAN · Minerva Obstetrics and Gynecology · 2021
Timothy Jeffery, Rodney Petersen, Julie Quinlivan · Australian and New Zealand Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology · 2016
Chitra Bhat, Apsara Fathima · Journal of South Asian Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology · 2025
F Saeed, S Abeysuriya, E Chandraharan · Journal of Biomedical Research & Environmental Sciences · 2021
Kate Nash · British Journal of Midwifery · 2020
Elvira di Pasquo, Piera Ricciardi, Alissa Valenti · Birth · 2022
Edwin Chandraharan, Yash Kahar, Susana Pereira · European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology · 2025
Edwin Chandraharan, Ilenia Mappa, Anna Gracia Perez-Bonfils · The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine · 2026
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Santhiram Medical College & General Hospital, Nandyal, Andhra Pradesh, India, Thota Anusha Reddy, K Sravanthi Reddy · Romanian Journal of Medical Practice · 2023
Helena Tern, Malin Edqvist, Maria Ekelin · Birth · 2023
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