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Variable decelerations: generally a result of umbilical cord compression, and contractions may further compress a cord when it is wrapped around the neck or under the shoulder of the fetus. They are defined as abrupt decreases in fetal heart rate, with less than 30 seconds from the beginning of the decrease to the nadir of heart rate.
During uterine contractions, fetal oxygenation is worsened. Late decelerations in fetal heart rate occurring during uterine contractions are associated with increased fetal death rate, growth retardation and neonatal depression. [1] [2] This test assesses fetal heart rate in response to uterine contractions via electronic fetal monitoring.
A normal nonstress test will show a baseline fetal heart rate between 110 and 160 beats per minute with moderate variability (5- to 25-interbeat variability) and 2 qualifying accelerations in 20 minutes with no decelerations. "Reactive" is defined as the presence of two or more fetal heart rate accelerations within a 20-minute period. Each ...
The presence of these biophysical variables implies absence of significant central nervous system hypoxemia/acidemia at the time of testing. By comparison, a compromised fetus typically exhibits loss of accelerations of the fetal heart rate (FHR), decreased body movement and breathing, hypotonia, and, less acutely, decreased amniotic fluid volume.
The condition is detected most often with electronic fetal heart rate (FHR) monitoring through cardiotocography (CTG), which allows clinicians to measure changes in the fetal cardiac response to declining oxygen. [1] [5] [4] Specifically, heart rate decelerations detected on CTG can represent danger to the fetus and to delivery. [4]
Umbilical cord prolapse should always be considered a possibility when there is a sudden decrease in fetal heart rate or variable decelerations, particularly after the rupture of membranes. With overt prolapses, the diagnosis can be confirmed if the cord can be felt on vaginal examination.
The use of fetal scalp blood testing originated in Germany in 1961 and required 0.25 mL of blood drawn from the fetus. [1] As one of the first methods of monitoring fetal wellbeing during labor, there were many disadvantages including the need for at least 3 cm dilation of the mother and extreme precision from the physician performing the procedure. [9]
On cardiotocography (CTG), umbilical cord compression can present with variable decelerations in fetal heart rate. [1] Treatment