NICE CTG tool NICE CTG tool Fetal Heart Rate (CTG) Interpreter Baseline Heart Rate: 50-250 Variability is between 5 and 25 beats per minute Variability is less than 5 beats per minute for 30 to 50 minutes, or more than 25 beats per minute for 15 to 25 minutes Variability is less than 5 beats per minute for more than 50 minutes, or more than 25 beats per minute for more than 25 minutes None or early or Variable decelerations with no concerning characteristics* for less than 90 minutes Variable decelerations with no concerning characteristics* for 90 minutes or more OR Variable decelerations with any concerning characteristics* in up to 50% of contractions for 30 minutes or more OR Variable decelerations with any concerning characteristics* in over 50% of contractions for less than 30 minutes OR Late decelerations in over 50% of contractions for less than 30 minutes, with no maternal or fetal clinical risk factors such as vaginal bleeding or significant meconium Variable decelerations with any concerning characteristics* in over 50% of contractions for 30 minutes (or less if any maternal or fetal clinical risk factors [see above]) OR Late decelerations for 30 minutes (or less if any maternal or fetal clinical risk factors) OR Acute bradycardia, or a single prolonged deceleration lasting 3 minutes or more
