What is a characteristic of fetal hypoxia during labor?

Fetal hypoxia during labor is characterized by recurrent decelerations in the fetal heart rate. This phenomenon occurs as a response to a lack of sufficient oxygen. Recurrent decelerations indicate that the fetal heart is under stress, often due to factors such as umbilical cord compression, uteroplacental insufficiency, or other issues that may impair the oxygen supply to the fetus. This pattern is concerning and suggests the need for closer monitoring and possible intervention to address the underlying causes of the hypoxia.

Other potential heart rate patterns, such as high variability, presence of accelerations, or a steady heart rate, are typically not associated with fetal hypoxia. High variability and accelerations generally indicate fetal well-being and a healthy response system, while a steady heart rate could suggest a lack of stress or distress in the fetus, which is contrary to the implications of hypoxia.