B. Four aspects of fetal heart rate activity are evaluated. Baseline fetal heart reflex activity. Recorded between episodes of fetal stimulation or uterine contractions. Normal baseline range is between 120 and 160 bpms. Changes of FHR greater than 15 minutes duration are considered baseline changes.
Baseline rate is elevated with maternal anxiety, maternal fever, or immaturity of the fetus.
Baseline rate greater than bpms. Bradycardia of 99 bpm or less suggests fetal distress. Most clinically significant clinical indicator of fetal status. Manifests with a uniform slope which is the mirror image of the bell-shaped curve of the uterine contraction and is temporally in line with the uterine contraction. Generally elevated to 15 to 25 bpms above the baseline.