Nurse’s Roles in Intrapartum Fetal Surveillance Using the Continuous Cardiotocography

Abstract

Nursing care during intrapartum period was from onset until fully dilatation. This period is a very important and take a long time for mothers and babies. The normal progress of labor depends on many factors. In this period, the risk and emergencies often occur every minute, especially fetal distress condition that could lead to fetal hypoxia and stillbirth. Intrapartum fetal surveillance is a vital task and challenging for labor nurses. Intermittent auscultation (IA) is a popular and effective method to assess fetal well being. At the present, variant technologies are used for intrapartum fetal surveillance. For example, continuous cardiotocography (CTG) is used in labor room because it is easy and convenient way to get results. However, nurses must have experiences and skills for CTG. Labor nurses who care for intrapartum period clients closely have to adjust and learn how to use CTG and interpret the results for risk assessment, surveillance, emergency diagnosis, provide emergencies nursing care, and coordinate with health team in order to keep mothers and babies’ safe delivery.