| abstract |
A method for identifying the level of fetal risk during labor comprises monitoring at least each of the concurrent clinical parameters of (a) FHR, (b) baseline FHR variability, (c) FHR accelerations, (d) FHR decelerations, and (e) maternal uterine activity, to determine whether each parameter independently exhibits at least one non-reassuring characteristic, and indicating a present level of risk to the fetus corresponding to the number of the concurrent clinical parameters (a) through (e) that are simultaneously, independently non-reassuring. An apparatus for implementing the method comprises at least one computer operative to receive input signals indicative of at least FHR and maternal uterine activity in a patient. The computer is operative to determine from the FHR baseline FHR variability, FHR accelerations, and FHR decelerations, to determine when any one or more of the parameters (a) through (e) each exhibit at least one non-reassuring characteristic, and to determine a present level of risk to the fetus corresponding to the number of the parameters (a) through (e) that are simultaneously, independently non-reassuring. At least one output operatively connected to the at least one computer indicates the determined present level of risk to the fetus. |