# Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier

> Medical app for interpreting fetal heart rate tracings with a five-tier color system. (iPhone/iPad app by OB Apps LLC.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fetal-heart-rate-5-tier/id529917070 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [OB Apps LLC](https://appshunter.io/developer/529917073)
- Category: Medical, Utilities
- Price: $6.99
- Rating: 4.40/5 from 8 App Store ratings · 6 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 1 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2012-06-10
- Data updated: 2026-08-24
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fetal-heart-rate-5-tier/id529917070/reviews.md

## What is Fetal Heart Rate 5?

This app is intended for obstetricians, midwives, and nurses who use electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) in laboring patients.   In addition to interpreting fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings, health care professionals must communicate with each other about the tracings in a way that is understood by all parties, and decide what action to take.

FHR 5-tier is based on the five-color system developed by Drs. Julian Parer and Tomoaki Ikeda.  (AJOG July 2007) The intent of their system is to standardize management of different fetal heart rate tracings. The system divides all fetal heart rate tracings into one of five categories:  Green (no acidemia, no intervention required), Blue, Yellow, Orange or Red (evidence of actual or impending fetal asphyxia, rapid delivery recommended).   Each color has assigned to it a:  a) risk of acidemia, b) risk of evolution to a more serious pattern and c) recommended action.

The NICHD three-tier system of classifying fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings has been criticized for having too wide a range of tracings in “Category II”. Some researchers and clinicians believe that the five-tier color-coded system more effectively classifies EFM tracings.  The five-tier system is being adopted by an increasing number of hospitals in the U.S. and in Japan.

FHR 5-tier makes it easier to use the five-color system.

Without the FHR 5-tier app, one must refer to a table with 134 possible combinations of variability, baseline, and decelerations.  One must also either memorize or refer to the definitions for mild, moderate and severe decelerations, which are complex and sometimes confusing.

When using the FHR 5-tier app it is not necessary to refer to any other table or chart. Variability and baseline, and the shape, nadir, and duration of decelerations are entered with buttons on the consecutive screens. The app calculates the severity of the deceleration and the color for each tracing.  All aspects of the tracing are summarized on the colored results screen, so that the user can quickly communicate with others.

Management recommendations as outlined by Parer and Ikeda are given. These include whether or not the obstetrician needs to be at the bedside; what other personnel should be available; and whether the patient should be moved to the operating room.  In addition, conservative management techniques are listed where appropriate.  Thus, for Blue, Yellow, and Orange tracings, the final results screen reminds the user to consider actions such as maternal position change, decreasing oxytocin, or amnioinfusion.  

As noted by Parer and Ikeda, the guidelines for management may need to be modified for institutions other then theirs, and may even change depending on time of day.

The NICHD Category (I, II, III) is also given on the results screen.

 This application is intended as a reference tool for use only by licensed healthcare professionals.  This application is not a substitute for each licensed healthcare professional's independent clinical judgment.  No medical decision should be based solely on information obtained by use of this tool.  


This application tries to faithfully aggregate information from major authorities (see references) and does not introduce or substitute the judgment of the makers of this application for those authorities.  If you find any errors in this application, please report them to our website (http://obapps.org/contact.php)

## Key features

- Five-color FHR tracing interpretation system
- Standardizes management of fetal heart rate tracings
- Simplifies complex data entry
- Provides color-coded results with risk assessment
- Offers management recommendations
- Includes NICHD Category (I, II, III)

## Chart rankings

- #93 in Top Paid · Medical (US App Store)

## Recent user reviews (6 of 6)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/fetal-heart-rate-5-tier/id529917070/reviews.md

### 1/5 — google is free

*2021-07-01, version 2.0*

There is nothing substantial in this app. It certainly is NOT worth the cost of it!

To use this app, you simply select options for each parameter and it calculates “a color” based on your answers.  There is nothing interactive in this app, absolutely NO actual tracings, and the “definition” section can be googled.

Disappointed I wasted $7 on this!

### 5/5 — Love this app

*2018-09-25, version 1.5*

I am a certified nurse midwife. I got this app as a student to help me learn. I am still using for a quick reference. I also recommend it to all my nurses and students. I would love to see and update.

### 5/5 — Great for the whole team

*2015-03-26, version 1.02*

I find this app very helpful for every member of the labor and delivery team- OB docs, midwives, nurses, and techs. Would love to see more reference material added in future updates.

### 5/5 — Five color system

*2014-03-13, version 1.02*

This definitely makes using the five-tier system easier.  Intuitive and quick.

### 5/5 — Must have for obgyns

*2012-08-01*

This app is straightforward and user friendly. It provides relevant information that is easy to access and navigate.

### 5/5 — Great app!

*2012-06-07, version 1.0*

Great app!

## Frequently asked questions about Fetal Heart Rate 5

### What is Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier?

Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier is a medical reference tool designed for healthcare professionals to interpret fetal heart rate (FHR) tracings using a five-color system developed by Drs. Julian Parer and Tomoaki Ikeda. It helps standardize management decisions during labor.

### Who is Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier for?

This application is intended for licensed healthcare professionals such as obstetricians, midwives, and nurses who utilize electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) for laboring patients. It is not intended for general public use.

### How does Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier simplify FHR interpretation?

Instead of referring to complex tables with 134 combinations, users input variability, baseline, and deceleration details via buttons. The app then calculates the severity and color-codes the tracing, summarizing all aspects on a results screen.

### What kind of management recommendations does Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier provide?

The app provides management recommendations based on the Parer and Ikeda guidelines, including whether the obstetrician needs to be present, what other personnel should be available, and if the patient should be moved to the operating room. It also lists conservative management techniques for specific tracings.

### Does Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier have ads?

No, Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application designed for professional use without interruptions.

### What is the price of Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier?

Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier is available for a one-time purchase price of $6.99. This grants access to all features without recurring fees or in-app purchases.

### On which devices can Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier be used?

Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier is supported on iPhone and iPod devices. It is designed for use on Apple's mobile operating system.

### How often is Fetal Heart Rate 5-tier updated?

The app was last updated on May 16, 2024, indicating active development and maintenance. The latest version available is 4.0.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.0 — 2024-05-16

Rebuild to upgrade for newest versions of iOS. Corrected numerous interface errors.

### 2.0 — 2021-03-02

Support to new IOS Version

### 1.5 — 2015-07-29

ios 7 update

### 1.02 — 2012-07-22

• Bug Fixes

### 1.01 — 2012-07-03

• Bug Fixes
• Corrected a link in the info section

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## Related topics

[ucsf fetal treatment center](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/ucsf-fetal-treatment-center)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-24.*