Understanding Fetal Heart Rate Monitoring || Terminology, NSTs, and MORE!

Hello all you beautiful birthing people! Today, I wanted to give y'all a quick tutorial and understanding on what your providers are looking at when they are interpreting continuous fetal heart rate monitoring. If you are delivering in the hospital you will more then likely be recommended to have at least some small portion continuous monitoring to assess fetal wellbeing in labor. This is something I like to go over with birthing people and support people when they come in in early labor or for an induction. I hope you find it helpful! Did you have continuous fetal monitoring in your labor? Did this video help answer some questions that monitoring brought up in your labor? Let me know down below!
Also, an important side-note that I say often, but didn't include in this video specifically: just because continuous monitoring might be recommended based on your clinical picture (Pitocin induction, epidural, etc.) it DOES NOT mean that you have to or should be lying on your back in the bed. Changing positions in important for the descent and rotation of the fetal head and for your comfort! Movement in labor in important, and continuous monitoring can be done is such a way to accommodate this too!
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[@carliemichelle3110]

Thank you for the video. I have 8 weeks left of my pregnancy and I’m definitely more educated after watching you here. 😊

[@Jessica-ci1xm]

Same here !! Wishing you a safe delivery ☺️

[@Nurse_zabe]

You’re so welcome! Good luck with the final stretch of your pregnancy!!

[@carliemichelle3110]

jessica thank you tons. Ditto. 😊

[@carliemichelle3110]

Nurse Zabe thank you so much! 😊❤️

[@notkaren2118]

Your videos help me feel so much more educated. 32w right now and I truly appreciate it!

[@LN-vq3fi]

I've never commented anything on KZbin before, but you are absolutely awesome. Just wanted to say THANK YOU.

[@megancooke2772]

Before I even start this video, can I ask what mascara you’re using? Your lashes look amazing!

[@Nurse_zabe]

I just got a mascara sampler from Sephora. Today’s mascara is “they’re real” from benefit. I’ll admit I didn’t like it in the past, but they must have changed their formula because it is way better now!

[@heidiwestcott6029]

Before I found your videos I knew absolutely nothing about what to expect in late pregnancy, Labor, and postpartum and I was terrified. You have put my mind at ease with the knowledge you've shared, thank you.

[@theclinefamily3601]

This is so informative! I’m in my third trimester with baby number three and I’ve never had this explained to me so well. Thank you!

[@courtneyvalentine3646]

I am so appreciative to your videos. Im getting induced in 3 weeks with my first baby. I have had NSTs twice a week and I was trying to figure out how to read the contractions and babys heart rate. Im going to keep watching your videos to prepare my for delivery and after. Thank you again!!

[@stephaniescarfogliero6482]

I know in your videos that you emphasize support for the person laboring and I did feel support with both my kids births, however with my first I did not feel I was given autonomy over my own body. I made it known that I was a sexual abuse survivor and was not comfortable with the amount of people coming in and out of the room while they were checking dilation and pushing. Breastfeeding and ‘room in’ was pushed on me. The nurse I had would just pull my gown down and try to stick my daughter on me. I had flashbacks while breastfeeding and would start crying and shaking to the point that my daughter would not eat. It lead into horrible PPD. I switched OBs for my second and she advocated for me when I wanted a CSection for my PTSD. I was adamant about formula feeding and my second was able to go to the nursery overnight. It was a much better experience.

[@VictoriaWilson]

I’m a doula and this is SO INFORMATIVE and helpful! Thank you 🙏 really great!

[@kendraarrington7396]

Literally popped up on my TL as I get an NST done. I love your videos 🧡

[@Nurse_zabe]

#fate

[@emilyashley9235]

I am scheduled for induction next week, so this video is, as always, super helpful! I’ve been following you most of my pregnancy, and I really appreciate all the care and effort you put into every video. I do have a quick question: as I have about a week left, I was thinking about putting together a little care pack or thank you gifts for my L&D team. Do you have any recommendations on what they might like? That could make a fun video, too. Things your L&D team want you to know about what they like to snack on during their shifts! Thank you for being amazing! (:

[@allisonross4622]

Thank you so much for going into detail about what these tests are and what they mean! I'm 39 weeks and starting at 36 weeks I started getting NST's and no one really told me why and I would try to read and understand the strips myself because no one really took the time to explain them to me. So thank you!!!❤

[@Nurse_zabe]

Yay! I hope this makes you feel more comfortable in understanding what’s going on! 💗💗💗

[@rainbowartsandcrafts9177]

This was really helpful thank you so much (I’m due tomorrow)!!!

[@Nurse_zabe]

You’re so welcome! Good luck with the final days of your pregnancy! Wishing you a healthy and supported delivery!

[@rainbowartsandcrafts9177]

Nurse Zabe thank you, I’m a bit nervous, had a 3rd stretch and sweep this morning but head is very low which made it difficult, hoping I go into labour naturally as my induction is booked for next fri (40+7). Things happen a little differently I think here in the uk 🇬🇧 but I love your channel regardless and have learnt so much x

[@amandagrimes666]

I love your videos! This is my first pregnancy after I miscarried at 13 weeks and I've been terrified the whole time and I have a need to understand everything that's being done to me lol or maybe it's because with my other 2 children I was a lot younger so didn't have a care until now. Thanks do much for all of the information!

[@ArielChadwick]

For my labor, the nurses put a little sticky bluetooth monitor on my belly instead of the big ones with the bands! So in the end I had continuous monitoring but it basically felt like nothing was on my belly. That was interesting!

[@Nurse_zabe]

The Monica! I’ve heard great things, but I’ve never worked somewhere where we have that option 😩

[@VictoriaWilson]

Ariel Chadwick that’s so great you had a Monica monitor! I’ve not gotten to see one in person yet as a doula. I hope so! I’ve heard sometimes they still have trouble finding baby, but I love the idea of the freedom of movement for moms who need continuous for one reason or another.

[@libbyfoster9011]

I think this is what I had! Been trying to find out about it haha. Did they kinda rough up your skin first almost like with sandpaper so it would stick well?

[@ArielChadwick]

​@@libbyfoster9011No, I don't think so.

[@roxannestevens3105]

Hi I just wanna say thank you for these videos they really helped me with my first pregnancy I had my baby 3 weeks ago I had to get induced and then my body didn’t fully dilate so I had to get a c section but I watched all your videos and it got me prepared and here I am 3 weeks PP With a beautiful baby girl❤️keep up the videos💕🙏🏼

[@Nurse_zabe]

Aw, congrats! Give that baby a few extra snuggles for me! 😍

[@ceralith942]

I am legit on the pitocin drip and fetal monitor right now for induction and got all excited this video came up.on my feed. Lol 😆

[@samveling9898]

i’m an 18 year old gay man so i will never experience anything that’s being talked about but i am OBSESSED with this channel and you!!

[@MrKmariah]

Hey you never know. Maybe one day you'll be driving down the road and a pregnant lady hijacks your car demanding "get me to the hospital now!!" and suddenly Nurse Zabe's been preparing you for this your whole life. 😆

[@jackierandazzo]

Im going for a NST later today great timing! ♥️

[@Nurse_zabe]

Yay! Hopefully this gave you a bit of understanding as to what to expect!

[@LadyCynthiana]

I clicked the video because I've been going for twice-weekly non-stress tests, but this explained a lot about what I observed when I was with my sister for the birth of her baby. They did an emergency c-section because they were seeing concerning decelerations. She was having a long labor, induced with pitocin because her amniotic fluid was low, and it turns out the baby's umbilical cord was wrapped around her shoulders, so they were probably seeing it be compressed. Now I'll know what to look for and ask about if I'm in a similar scenario, so thank you!

[@Nurse_zabe]

Glad it helped explained some things for you!

[@mommiesjourney1]

Can I just say this is like the most perfect time for this video I am eight months pregnant and I just got diagnosed with preeclampsia last week and I am now seeing my OB every single week and doing ultrasounds and NSTs so trying to understand them a little bit better is just kind of fun I guess for me obviously I know that the doctor knows what they’re doing and how to read it but I love the idea that I can kind of understand to.

[@Nurse_zabe]

Yay! That’s exactly why I made it. It’s so nice to have a basic understanding of what’s going on!

[@JenniferLevi6]

Same!

[@laurajoseph3474]

Looking really nice

[@jennifermusgrave9820]

Could you do a video about cord blood donation please? I’m not really able to find many good videos on that.

[@francescadominique3943]

thank you so much for this🥰🥰

[@Nurse_zabe]

You’re so welcome! 😊

[@careygaukler9365]

Thank you so much for the great information! At the end you mention csection and emergent csection- I’m curious what the difference is in this scenario? Thanks again!

[@Nurse_zabe]

Ah, yes! A tricky distinction. I go over it in my 10 Myths You Labor Nurse Wants You to Know video!

[@like_a_cat5003]

Hi, I really like your videos. They are fun and interesting to watch. Could you please make a video on high blood pressure during pregnancy? I had raised blood pressure during my pregnancy and I was wondering what effects this would have on the baby. 🤔💕🤰

[@Arkiegirl26]

Not a nurse but I had preeclampsia with my oldest who is 12, there have been no deficits with her. You wouldn't even know I had it.

[@Nurse_zabe]

I promise I have a video on preeclampsia and gestational hypertension in the works! Lots of info on these topics and I want to make sure I get it all right!

[@kindrahanneman7363]

I had preeclampsia with both my babies and induced for both. My second birth, they would not let me work through the contractions how I needed too, because baby needed to be monitored. I hated it and ended up getting an epidural early because they just wouldn’t budge. This pregnancy, my OB said preeclampsia is pretty much guaranteed. I really pray my second birth won’t be like this one! (Different hospital and state)

[@abbyb2752]

I’m due November 6th this was good. I would have a panic attack and not a cute one if the heart rate dropped and I didn’t see this.

[@ellenricks2029]

I’m due November 4th!! Time is ticking! 😱

[@Nurse_zabe]

November is a wonderful time to have a baby! And I’m hopeful this video might relieve some anxiety for birthing people. 💗

[@j-zee-bee]

I just noticed your nose ring. It's so cute!

[@Nurse_zabe]

Aw, thanks! I bring it out from time to time. A relic from my “crazy” college days 😉

[@lc81002]

Can you explain a bit about fetal scalp electrodes? My last baby was OP, so it was difficult to get a good tracing of his heart rate and they had to stick his head twice to use the scalp electrode. Unfortunately, he had decels with every contraction and eventually his heart rate dropped to the 60s and didn't come back up, so I had an emergency c-section.

[@carolynmeasures9620]

Could you do a video about getting baby to sleep in a crib at a young age? I know co-sleeping isn’t recommended but it’s the only way everyone in the house is able to sleep right now.

[@victoriablack2093]

Love this! Would have really appreciated if you could have touched on what happens when the baby’s heart rate goes up dangerously to like 180. What is happening then? But thank you for your great content ❤️

[@Nurse_zabe]

Hi! I tried not to get into too much specifics to not get too confusing. Tachycardia can be caused by many things such as smoking, dehydration or infection. Sometimes we wait and watch, monitor the birthing person for signs of infection, treat the infection and/or give a fluid bolus through the IV. Does that help some?

[@victoriablack2093]

Nurse Zabe as usual you are amazing 🥰

[@balesshippolova]

I don't know if its new, but your nose piercing is super cute

[@Nurse_zabe]

Thanks! I’ve had it for about 10 years, but I never wear it. Found a stud the other day and have been rocking it. 😂

[@thebelshaws6251]

Could you do a section on continual vs intermittent monitoring and different monitoring options for VBAC?

[@Nurse_zabe]

For a VBAC because of the risk of uterine rupture, continuous monitoring is recommended for active labor. 💗

[@ireland9393]

I’m having a baby at the end of fall and he’ll be a newborn all through the dead of winter (I live somewhere pretty cold!) how do I keep him nice and warm (and not too warm!) when we’re out and about???

[@melanied165]

I’m getting my first ultrasound today at 8 weeks and two days. 4 months ago I had a miscarriage at 7 weeks. I’ve been experiencing extreme anxiety and fear that’s keeping me from being excited. I’m not sure if these feelings are normal or if anyone else has gone through something similar with pregnancy after loss.

[@elizabethmouleart3682]

I was induced and was on pitocin and my nurse shut it off because my baby did not do well with it and her heart rate kept decreasing and and then turned it on again and it kept decreasing and then everyone rushed to my room and told me I had 30 mins to be in the OR and have an emergency c section so scary.

[@pennynicholssoler5693]

Can we get a video on how expecting mom in high stress jobs maybe able to help mange the stress and reduce it when possible more from personal advice the medical

[@tayberjk2559]

Okay Brad Mondo, stop making me blush ☺️

[@IndieJuli]

I'm confused, doesn't everyone get CTG time during their regular check ups?

[@kaylaaconceited4235]

Do a video about breech babies

[@ashleystam5]

Is it medically necessary to have an urgent c-section if the baby has category 2 heart tones and has thick meconium in its amniotic fluid during labor?

[@samanthalugo7471]

I am 32 weeks pregnant and trying to do a V2BAC. I have a low risk pregnancy. My doctor wants to do an internal fetal monitor for my labor. Am I able to request not doing this and having an external fetal monitor instead? I just don’t understand if I am low risk and at a proper weight why this would be done? I can’t find much information online about it.

[@ManisoPreddi95]

I was wondering if you have a video about what contractions feel like? I'm 23 weeks and have been experiencing some weird thing.

[@Nurse_zabe]

I don’t, but at 23 weeks things are going to feel a little bit differently than they might feel at full term. I’d definitely recommend you give you doctor and call and let them know what you’re experiencing and possibly go in for further evaluation!

[@jennifermendez7016]

Video of positions of baby in the womb such as "sunny side up"?

[@Nurse_zabe]

Can definitely work on that, although one thing to remember is that it can be totally Normal for baby to be sunny side up at some point in labor. Labor involves cervical dilation and rotation and descent of baby! So our job during labor is changing positions to help baby rotate and descend!

[@mandalynn1384]

The external monitors never registered anything. Wish the nurse would have palpated me or oscillated baby instead of having a nervous breakdown over the lack of cfm prior to pushing

[@amandaknoner6114]

Could a very deep belly laugh skew a non stress test? I was convinced that happened to me with my daughter 😂

[@rnbowman94]

Can intermittent monitoring be used during labor when the pregnancy was high risk due to high blood pressure and GDM if both were easily controlled/monitored?

[@Nurse_zabe]

More than likely! But definitely something to chat with your doctor about!

[@amandacosnett5820]

I also had extremely well managed GDM on diet alone, no blood pressure issues. Honestly the default for pretty much everyone in the hospital, high risk or not, seems to be continuous external monitoring. At least in the US. It's really annoying because everything I've read seems to say that it tends to actually not improve outcomes and leads to more c-sections. But they do it that way in the hospitals because they like to over manage the whole process and intervene at the tiniest little thing. Just writing this to say that if you want low interventions and something that's outside the norm of hospital procedures, it will be extremely difficult to advocate for yourself, even if you're not high risk.

[@Itssnuke]

Love your videos! I’m due Tuesday & I have really bad anxiety!! Being anxious, nervous, hyperventilating, etc.. can that cause still birth or death of mommy during labor? How do I control it?

[@wonderwingsproductions271]

Hello! I’m being induced on Sunday! I’ve been having anxiety too, especially the closer I get. It’s so hard to stop those thoughts. Firstly, definitely mention your feelings to your doctor. They’ll be a good resource to relieve fear. But also, I’ve been listening to a lot of labor meditations and they’ve helped a lot! Deep breathing and getting your head in the right mindset is a good first step. Good luck mama, you’ll do great!

[@SF-pe3qf]

Hey mama! Please please reach out to your doctor or nurse midwife ASAP. You could even go to your hospital’s labor triage. Nervous anticipation is totally normal, and so is being scared for labor, pain, etc. But this sounds like you’re experiencing anxiety above and beyond what is expected. Possibly even panic attacks. This is something your doctor can address with you and help with as you get ready to welcome your little one into the world!

[@Itssnuke]

Thank you so much! I have been having panic attacks, everytime I think I’m going into labor , I will freak out, cry, have to check my breathing because I’m just soo nervous

[@andrewhaywood3853]

Najia Jenell do reach out to your care providers, like everyone has said, and let them know. However, you might find when it gets real and you are actually in labour that mama bear instinct and strength kicks in - it is amazing what women can do when they must. Take care.

[@LadyCynthiana]

As a person who has suffered from anxiety and panic attacks, it's important to remember that anxiety can't kill you! However, anxiety and hyperventilating can make the pain worse and labor progress more slowly and less smoothly. If I were you I'd try looking into something like a hypnobirthing track to help you relax. I'm 8 months pregnant and I'm starting an audiobook on hypnobirthing myself.

[@Arkiegirl26]

My girl was sunny side up and had prolonged decels. Wound up in a emergency C after 23 hours of labor and an hour of pushing. I tried to tell everyone she wasn't going to come out but no one listened. If they had I may have had some external assistance...😒🤦‍♀️🙄

[@Nurse_zabe]

Ugh, I’m so sorry you didn’t feel heard in your labor. 😩💗

[@Arkiegirl26]

@@Nurse_zabe this time will be much different. She was my first & while I have somewhat of a medical background, I was intimidated. Not this time. I'm scheduling a repeat C and my doc asked if I come in at 9 do I want to proceed with the C or do a vbac? My reply was "at that point might as well do a vbac, but no one under any circumstances will artificially break my water! Baby can be born en cull for all I care!" He simply said "ok!" They broke my water with my daughter and I didnt know I had HPV. (Yes I had had a pap in oct and it was clean) but she ingested fluid and wound up with laryngeal HPV. The cells were pushed up into my uterus from the artificial breaking. So never again!

[@missorrowmiss9688]

Hi, I am amazon seller, are you interested in revieiwng sterlizer?

[@valeriepark9444]

Do we not know when a laboring woman is having contractions by how loud she is yelling? No?

[@Nurse_zabe]

Yes, unless she has an epidural!

[@lizZLupin]

You would think.....but my friend's doctor didn't believe her that she was in labor because their monitor was broken and wasn't reading her contractions....

[@Nurse_zabe]

lizZlupin that’s super frustrating 😩

[@lizZLupin]

@@Nurse_zabe All kinds of things went wrong in that delivery...but she and her son are happy and healthy now and she switched doctors for her second pregnancy. 😊

[@jessicak7965]

And some women prefer to labor silently, it just feels more intuitive to them. Can be really confusing to the support team though!!