What do variable decelerations indicate?
Variable decelerations usually indicate an obstruction to the fetal blood flow through the umbilical cord or compression of the umbilical vessels within the cord.
What causes recurrent decelerations?
If a patient is being monitored for preterm pre-labor rupture of membranes, recurrent variable decelerations may be a sign of worsening fetal and maternal status. In the setting of preterm pre-labor rupture of membranes, delivery is necessary with nonreassuring fetal status, chorioamnionitis, or placenta abruption.
What do recurrent late decelerations indicate?
Late decelerations are one of the precarious decelerations among the three types of fetal heart rate decelerations during labor. They are caused by decreased blood flow to the placenta and can signify an impending fetal acidemia.
What do variable decelerations do during labor?
Also, you can take certain steps to treat late decelerations and improve fetal oxygen supply.
- Lie down in the left lateral, knee-chest, or right lateral position to relieve compression of the large vein (or vena cava) by your pregnant uterus.
- Your doctor might administer oxygen in response to late decelerations.
What are nursing interventions for variable decelerations?
Variable Decelerations Repositioning of the mother can relieve this compression if it is minor. However, if these decelerations continue, it could be a sign of more serious cord compression, and the nurse should administer oxygen, stop Oxytocin (Pitocin) if applicable, and check for vaginal cord prolapse.
What are the 3 different types of fetal decelerations?
There are three basic types of decelerations: early decelerations, late decelerations, and variable decelerations. Early decelerations are generally normal and not concerning. Late and variable decelerations can sometimes be a sign the baby isn’t doing well.
What is the priority nursing intervention for recurrent variable decelerations?
The priority nursing intervention for recurrent variable decelerations within minimal baseline variability is turning mom to the side because that could help fix the problem of umbilical cord compression. A nurse is caring for a client who is considering use of a hormonal intrauterine system.
Do variable decelerations occur with contractions?
The onset, depth, and duration of variable decelerations commonly vary with successive uterine contractions. A decrease in FHR below the baseline of 15 bpm or more, lasting at least 2 minutes but <10 minutes from onset to return to baseline.
What is variable deceleration of the fetal heart rate?
Variable decelerations are irregular, often jagged dips in the fetal heart rate that look more dramatic than late decelerations. Variable decelerations happen when the baby’s umbilical cord is temporarily compressed. This happens during most labors.
What category is variable deceleration?
Category III FHR
Category III FHR tracings are abnormal and indicative of hypoxic risk to the fetus and possible acidemia (1, 7). They include either no baseline variability or the presence of recurrent late decelerations, variable decelerations, bradycardia, or a sinusoidal pattern (1).
What to do for variable decelerations nursing?
When late decelerations are observed, the nurse should attempt to increase the oxygen delivery to fetus by turning the mother on her left side and/or administering oxygen. If Oxytocin (Pitocin) is being administered, it should be stopped.
What causes variable decelerations in fetal heart rate?
Common causes of variable decelerations include vagal reflex triggered by head compression during pushing and cord compression such as that caused by short cord, nuchal cord, body entanglement, prolapsed cord, decreased amniotic fluid, and fetal descent.
What does a variable deceleration look like?
Variable decelerations are irregular, often jagged dips in the fetal heart rate that look more dramatic than late decelerations. Variable decelerations happen when the baby’s umbilical cord is temporarily compressed.
Are variable decelerations reassuring?
Most variable decelerations aren’t necessarily a cause for concern unless the heart rate falls to less than 70 bpm for at least 60 seconds. In this case with such a dramatic drop in heart rate, the status of the fetus can be compromised. With such a low heart rate, oxygenation to the fetus may be compromised.