Interpreting Cardiotocography/EFM Part I: Definitions

Today we take a break from STIs to jump back into obstetrics, and are joined by two very special guests: Liz Kettyle and Linda Steinhardt, both of whom are certified nurse midwives (CNMs) and clinical educators at the Warren Alpert Brown School of Medicine.

ACOG PB 106 (membership required) forms the basis for this episode and in a future episode, we will discuss management of cardiotocography (CTG). Also, for a recent article surrounding the naming of CTG vs. EFM vs. all the other names for this technology, check out a recent AJOG article on its now 50-year history.

We also are using some special sound effects for these episodes! As you listen to the various sounds for different types of decelerations, keep in mind that the higher-pitched sound represents a contraction pattern, and the lower-pitched sound represents the fetal heart rate response.