Continuous EFM findings	Significance	Management
NICHD Category I: Normal
Moderate baseline FHR variability, late or variable decelerations absent, accelerations present or absent, and normal baseline FHR (110 to 160 bpm)	Normal pH and fetal well-being	Continue current monitoring method (SIA or continuous EFM)
NICHD Category II: Indeterminate*
Baseline FHR changes (bradycardia [< 110 bpm] not accompanied by absent baseline variability, or tachycardia [> 160 bpm])	Tachycardia: medication, maternal anxiety, infection, fever	General measures†
	Bradycardia: rupture of membranes, occipitoposterior position, post-term pregnancy, congenital anomalies	Consider expedited delivery if abnormalities persist‡
Change in FHR variability (absent and not accompanied by decelerations; minimal; or marked)	Medications; sleep cycle; change in monitoring technique; possible fetal hypoxia or acidemia	General measures†
		Change monitoring method (internal monitoring if doing continuous EFM, or EFM if doing SIA)
		Consider expedited delivery if abnormalities persist‡
No FHR accelerations after fetal stimulation	Possible fetal hypoxia or acidemia	General measures† Discontinue oxytocin (Pitocin) Consider expedited delivery if abnormalities persist‡
FHR decelerations without absent variability	Variable: cord entrapment or prolapse	General measures† Amnioinfusion (for recurrent decelerations)
	Late: possible uteroplacental insufficiency; epidural hypotension; tachysystole	General measures† Discontinue oxytocin Consider expedited delivery if abnormalities persist‡
NICHD Category III: Abnormal
Absent baseline FHR variability with recurrent decelerations (variable or late) and/or bradycardia	Uteroplacental insufficiency; fetal hypoxia or acidemia	General measures†
Sinusoidal FHR pattern		Discontinue oxytocin
		Expedite delivery ‡