A prolonged acceleration in FHR lasts for how long?

A prolonged acceleration in fetal heart rate (FHR) is defined as an increase in the fetal heart rate of 15 beats per minute or more above the baseline, lasting for a duration of 2 to 10 minutes. This is a critical concept in fetal monitoring, as understanding the duration of such accelerations helps healthcare providers assess fetal well-being and respond appropriately to any signs of stress.

When FHR accelerations occur within this 2 to 10-minute timeframe, they are typically indicative of a healthy fetal response, often due to fetal movements or contractions. Episodes that exceed this duration would not be classified as accelerations but rather as sustained changes in fetal heart rate patterns, which may warrant further investigation. Thus, recognizing the timeframe of 2 to 10 minutes as characteristic of a prolonged acceleration is vital for accurate interpretation in clinical practice.