Final answer:
When monitoring fetal heart rates for twins, (3) each heart rate should be monitored separately. A regular fetal heartbeat can be detected as early as 5-6 weeks with ultrasound. Pitocin may be used to stimulate labor if it is not progressing naturally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to the correct placement of the external fetal monitor when caring for a pregnant client in labor who is delivering twins. Among the options provided, option number 3 is the most accurate: the fetal heart rates should be monitored separately to ensure accurate readings for each fetus. The placement should be such that distinct heartbeats can be detected for each child. This is important because the heart rate is a critical indicator of fetal wellbeing during labor. Regarding fetal development, a regular heartbeat can be detected as early as 5-6 weeks of gestation with ultrasound, and increasingly reliably by 8-12 weeks with a doppler device.
Furthermore, to address the additional context provided on fetal hemoglobin, it is crucial to note that fetal hemoglobin allows the fetus to extract oxygen from the maternal blood efficiently. Once the newborn takes their first breath after birth, the circulatory pattern changes drastically as the lungs expand and begin to function, taking over from the placental oxygen exchange.
In cases where labor is not progressing, such as in the scenario with Janine who is only 2 cm dilated after 41 weeks, pitocin may be administered to stimulate contractions and progress labor to prevent potential complications associated with prolonged labor and post-term pregnancy.