What do late decelerations typically indicate?

Late decelerations are a crucial aspect of fetal heart rate monitoring and indicate that the fetus is experiencing a decrease in heart rate that begins after the peak of a contraction and returns to baseline after the contraction ends. This pattern suggests that the fetus may not be receiving adequate oxygen due to uteroplacental insufficiency, which refers to a reduced blood flow and oxygen exchange between the mother and the fetus through the placenta.

Recognizing late decelerations is essential because they can signal potential fetal distress and warrant further evaluation and possible intervention to improve the oxygen supply. This phenomenon arises when the placenta is unable to provide enough blood flow, often due to issues like maternal hypertension, placenta previa, or placental abruption.

Understanding late decelerations allows healthcare providers to intervene appropriately, as they can indicate the need for closer monitoring and may influence decisions regarding delivery methods to ensure the well-being of the fetus. In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe the implications of late decelerations in fetal heart rate monitoring.