What is a key feature of early decelerations?

A key feature of early decelerations in fetal heart monitoring is their gradual onset to nadir. This means that the decrease in the fetal heart rate begins slowly, reaches its lowest point, and then recovers back to baseline in a similar gradual manner. This pattern typically correlates with uterine contractions, as early decelerations are often caused by fetal head compression during contractions, which is a normal response.

The gradual nature is vital in distinguishing early decelerations from other types of decelerations, such as variable or late decelerations. In contrast, rapid decelerations would indicate a different pathophysiological issue. Immediate recovery after a deceleration is also an important aspect, but it’s not the defining feature of early decelerations. While early decelerations can occur during various stages of labor, they are not limited to late labor specifically; thus, that aspect does not characterize them effectively.