Recognition and Management of Chronic Hypoxia & Pre existing injury on the Cardiotocograph (CTG)

Fetuses with Chronic Hypoxia and Pre-exisiting fetal compromise may not be able to ithstand additional hypoxic stress (i.e., onset or continuation of uterine contractions). They may rapidly undergo decompensation. Therefore, it is essential to recognise features of Chronic Hypoxia on the CTG trace and use the "Fetal Monitoring Checklist" to identify fetuses with antenatal hypoxic and non-hypoxic compromise. Fetuses with a relative uteroplacental insufficiency (RUPI) will show characteristic features on the CTG, and may not be able to tolerate hypoxic stress posed by progressively worsening uterine contractions.