Early Decelerations

Excerpt

Decelerations are temporary decreases in the fetal heart rate (FHR) during labor. Hon and Quilligan first described 3 types of decelerations—early, variable, and late—in 1967 based on the shape and timing of decelerations relative to uterine contractions (see Image. Fetal Heart Rate Changes). Intrapartum FHR monitoring facilitates the identification of changes associated with fetal distress that allow for early intervention.