Editing Cardiotocography (section)

===FHR pattern classification===
Before 2008, fetal heart rate was classified as either "reassuring" or "nonreassuring". The NICHD workgroup proposed terminology for a three-tiered system to replace the older, undefined terms.<ref name=nic/>

*'''Category I (Normal)''': Tracings with all these findings present are strongly predictive of normal fetal acid-base status at the time of observation and the fetus can be followed in a standard manner:
**Baseline rate 110–160{{nbsp}}bpm,
**Moderate variability,
**Absence of late or variable decelerations,
**Early decelerations and accelerations may or may not be present.
*'''Category II (Indeterminate)''': Tracing is not predictive of abnormal fetal acid-base status. Evaluation and continued surveillance and reevaluations are indicated. 
**Bradycardia with normal baseline variability
**Tachycardia
**Minimal or Marked baseline variability of FHR
**Accelerations: Absence of induced accelerations after fetal stimulation
**Periodic or Episodic decelerations: Longer than 2 minutes but shorter than 10 minutes; recurrent late decelerations with moderate baseline variability
**Variable decelerations with other characteristics such as slow return to baseline, overshoots of "shoulders" seen (humps on either side of deceleration)
*'''Category III (Abnormal)''': Tracing is predictive of abnormal fetal acid-base status at the time of observation; this requires prompt evaluation and management.
**Absence of baseline variability, with recurrent late/variable decelerations or bradycardia; or
**[[Sinusoidal]] fetal heart rate.