title: Standards in fetal monitoring--practical requirements for uterine activity measurement and recording.
abstract: External monitoring of uterine contractility in human labour can record contraction frequency accurately, but cannot determine true intra-uterine pressure reliably. It is therefore suitable for use in spontaneous labour where there is a need for a marker of contractions to aid in continuous fetal heart rate pattern interpretation. Intra-uterine pressure measurement can provide quantitative information more reliably over intervals of 10-60 minutes. Although active pressure values for individual contractions can vary by up to 50% when measured simultaneously by two or more intra-uterine catheters/transducers, this variation is not systematic and cumulative measures vary by less than 5%. The measurement of baseline tone is affected by variables not related to uterine activity and should therefore be excluded when quantitative measures are made.
authors: Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London, UK.
authors: P J
authors: PJ
authors: Steer
mesh_terms: D015148:Cardiotocography / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D005323:Fetal Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D010121:Oxytocin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011247:Pregnancy; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors; D014160:Transducers, Pressure / Q000592:standards*; D014590:Uterine Contraction; D014599:Uterus / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D010121:Oxytocin