3. Emily, a 26-year-old G3P2, has been in labor for 5 hours and is 7 cm, 90% effaced, and +2 station. She has external fetal monitoring in place, which reveals a baseline fetal heart rate of 120 bpm, minimal variability, and occasional variable decelerations. Suddenly, as a contraction is beginning to subside, the fetal heart rate drops to a low of 80 bpm and has a slow return to the baseline 1 minute after the contraction has ended.
a. What is happening to Emily’s baby at this point in time? What does this mean?
b. What role do you, as the nurse, play regarding fetal assessment and what interventions do you need to implement/recommend at this point in time?
4. Laura is a 26-year-old G2P1 who had a cesarean delivery for fetal distress with her first pregnancy. Laura is now struggling with deciding between scheduling a repeat cesarean delivery or attempting a VBAC.
a. In order to ensure that Laura has the facts to assist her in her decision, explain the benefits and risks of a repeat cesarean delivery.
b. Laura wants to weigh her options for both. Explain the benefits and risks of a VBAC.
c. Describe the management of care for a woman attempting a VBAC delivery.