Which factor could lead to false fetal heart rate readings?

Incorrect placement of monitoring devices can lead to false fetal heart rate readings because accurate monitoring relies heavily on the correct positioning of the sensors. If the electronic fetal monitor is not positioned appropriately on the mother's abdomen, it can pick up interference from other sources such as uterine contractions or maternal pulse, rather than accurately capturing the fetal heart rate. This misalignment can result in readings that do not reflect the actual heart rate of the fetus, leading to potential misunderstandings in assessing fetal well-being.

In contrast, while factors like the mother's hydration level and the baby's movements can influence fetal heart rate variability, they do not directly cause false readings in the same manner as the placement of the monitoring devices. Additionally, proper maternal positioning usually facilitates better monitoring and can actually help in obtaining more accurate readings rather than causing discrepancies.