Ever stare at an electronic fetal monitoring strip and think, Is this baby truly OK? When labor moves fast, guesswork is costly. This course provides a clear and confident approach to interpreting fetal heart rate patterns and taking action before risk escalates. You will master the basics that matter at the bedside: baseline, variability, accelerations, and the standard drivers of tachycardia and bradycardia. We connect uterine contraction patterns to fetal responses, then turn those signals into decisions that protect both mother and baby.

You will compare intermittent auscultation with continuous electronic fetal monitoring, learn the correct sensor placement, and understand when each method is most effective. Step-by-step walk-throughs guide you in interpreting a cardiotocograph, documenting findings that withstand review, and communicating concerns with clear, shared language. Practical tools are included, such as a one-page documentation guide, a concise risk checklist, and sample scripts for handoffs and escalations.

Action is the goal. You will map abnormal patterns to targeted nursing interventions, apply the NICHD three-tier system with consistency, and practice timely intrauterine resuscitation. Case scenarios model real-world pressure, including late decelerations during oxytocin, prolonged bradycardia after epidural, and tachysystole with minimal variability. By the end, you will have a repeatable approach to EFM interpretation, safer clinical decisions, and a toolkit you can use on your next shift. Enroll now and raise the standard of care in your unit.