Late decelerations are described as which pattern on fetal monitoring?

Late decelerations are described as which pattern on fetal monitoring?

• A. Early decelerations: begin and end with contraction
• B. Variable decelerations: occur at any time due to cord compression
• C. Prolonged decelerations: last longer than 2 minutes
• D. Late decelerations: begin at the peak of a contraction and slowly return to baseline after the contraction is complete

Answer: (D)

Late decelerations reflect fetal hypoxia from imperfect placental perfusion. The defining feature is their timing: the deceleration begins after the contraction has peaked and then slowly returns to baseline once the contraction ends. This post-peak pattern shows the fetus is affected by the ongoing reduced oxygen delivery during contractions. In contrast, early decelerations mimic the contraction itself due to head compression (onset to nadir aligned with the contraction), and variable decelerations are irregular and can occur at any time because of cord compression. Prolonged decelerations last more than two minutes and indicate more sustained fetal distress. Therefore, the described timing—beginning after the contraction peak and resolving after the contraction ends—best fits late decelerations.

Late decelerations reflect fetal hypoxia from imperfect placental perfusion. The defining feature is their timing: the deceleration begins after the contraction has peaked and then slowly returns to baseline once the contraction ends. This post-peak pattern shows the fetus is affected by the ongoing reduced oxygen delivery during contractions. In contrast, early decelerations mimic the contraction itself due to head compression (onset to nadir aligned with the contraction), and variable decelerations are irregular and can occur at any time because of cord compression. Prolonged decelerations last more than two minutes and indicate more sustained fetal distress. Therefore, the described timing—beginning after the contraction peak and resolving after the contraction ends—best fits late decelerations.