Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations and Nonreassuring Patterns

Fetal heart rate decelerations are temporary decreases in the fetal heart rate seen during monitoring. Clinicians classify patterns by their timing, shape, duration, and relationship to contractions. Early, variable, late, and prolonged decelerations can have different meanings. A nonreassuring pattern may call for assessment, interventions, closer observation, or delivery, depending on the full tracing and clinical context. A legal review examines the pattern over time and the care team’s response.