Which of the following is a risk factor for variable decelerations associated with fetal factors?

Variable decelerations during labor are often linked to umbilical cord compression, which disrupts the flow of oxygenated blood to the fetus. When the umbilical cord is compressed, it can cause transient drops in the fetal heart rate as the fetus momentarily experiences a reduction in blood flow, leading to variable decelerations on the fetal heart monitor. This compression can be caused by various factors, such as fetal position, amniotic fluid levels, or even the presence of tight loops of cord around the fetus.

Other listed options may have their own implications on maternal and fetal health but are not directly associated with the occurrence of variable decelerations. While maternal tachycardia may indicate maternal distress or other complications, and placental rupture signifies an acute maternal-fetal issue, they do not typically lead to variable decelerations. Maternal obesity, while it poses several risks during pregnancy, is not a direct cause of variable decelerations related to fetal factors. Thus, the connection between cord compression and variable decelerations highlights why it is considered the correct answer in this context.