This protocol addresses placental abruption in the setting of a confirmed live fetus presenting with a category 1 or category 2 fetal heart rate (FHR) pattern — specifically where there is no category III FHR pattern and no intrauterine fetal death.
Continuous fetal heart rate monitoring is central to clinical decision-making in placental abruption. A category 1 or category 2 FHR tracing — indicating reassuring or indeterminate fetal status — directly informs the urgency and route of delivery. Management in this scenario differs from cases involving non-reassuring or category III patterns.
The structured protocol for this scenario involves a surgical route of delivery. The full protocol — including specific indications, decision criteria, and all management steps — is accessible via the link below.
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajog.2022.06.059