How to Document an Intrauterine Pressure Catheter

Progress in childbirth depends on adequate forces from contractions, the position and size of the fetus and the shape of the mother's pelvis. When labor progress is slow, the healthcare team may consider placing an intrauterine pressure catheter (IUPC) to objectively evaluate the strength of the patient's contractions. If the patient is in active labor and the IUPC measures adequate contractions for a full two hours, the slow progress may be due to factors besides contraction strength and other interventions to facilitate birth may be required.

Things You'll Need

• Sterile gloves
• Intrauterine pressure monitor
• Cord
• Electronic fetal monitor
• Chart

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Instructions

• 1

  Determine if the patient requires an IUPC due to slow progress.

• 2

  Consent the patient for placement of an IUPC.

• 3

  Place the IUPC in a sterile fashion.

• 4

  Document the patient's informed consent for the procedure and the rationale for placement.

• 5

  Document the vaginal exam, including station, effacement, dilation and presentation. Document the color of fluid that flashes back in the catheter if it is clear, bloody or stained with meconium.

• 6

  Document the uterine resting tone.

• 7

  Assess the fetal monitor strip for at least three contractions in a 10-minute window. Subtract the uterine resting tone from the peak of each contraction in the 10-minute window to calculate the strength of each contraction. Add the strength of each contraction together to calculate the total strength in the 10-minute span. This is the total number of Montevideo units, or MVUs, for this timeframe.

• 8

  Document fetal heart tones and maternal response to the contractions.