Which components are essential for the intrapartum management of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia?

Continuous electronic fetal heart rate monitoring is critical in the intrapartum management of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia because it allows for real-time assessment of the fetal well-being. In these conditions, there can be an increased risk of fetal distress, which may arise from placental insufficiency due to maternal hypertension. Monitoring the fetal heart rate helps in identifying any abnormal patterns that may indicate compromise, enabling timely intervention to protect the fetus. This is particularly important in cases of preeclampsia, where the maternal condition can rapidly change and affect both the mother and the fetus.

Other methods, such as oral medication administration, are not typically effective in the intrapartum setting since they take longer to achieve therapeutic levels and might not provide immediate control of hypertension. Distracting the patient during labor could help with coping strategies but does not address the specific risks associated with gestational hypertension or preeclampsia. Regular chest x-rays are not standard practice for monitoring these conditions during labor, as they involve unnecessary radiation exposure and do not provide relevant information on fetal status or maternal hypertension management during the intrapartum period.