Late decelerations are most indicative of which condition?

Late decelerations are most indicative of which condition?

• A. Variable decelerations
• B. Early decelerations
• C. Late decelerations
• D. Accelerations

Answer: (C)

Late decelerations signal that the fetus is not getting enough oxygen during contractions due to reduced placental perfusion. They start after the contraction begins, reach their lowest point after the peak, and recover after the contraction ends, reflecting transient fetal hypoxia from uteroplacental insufficiency. This pattern points to a problem with placental oxygen delivery (seen with conditions like placental insufficiency, maternal hypotension, or post-term pregnancy). By contrast, early decelerations come from head compression and are usually benign, variable decelerations arise from cord compression and are more abrupt and unpredictable, and accelerations simply indicate fetal well-being.

Late decelerations signal that the fetus is not getting enough oxygen during contractions due to reduced placental perfusion. They start after the contraction begins, reach their lowest point after the peak, and recover after the contraction ends, reflecting transient fetal hypoxia from uteroplacental insufficiency. This pattern points to a problem with placental oxygen delivery (seen with conditions like placental insufficiency, maternal hypotension, or post-term pregnancy). By contrast, early decelerations come from head compression and are usually benign, variable decelerations arise from cord compression and are more abrupt and unpredictable, and accelerations simply indicate fetal well-being.