A nurse is discussing intermittent fetal heart monitoring with a newly licensed nurse. Which of the following statements should the nurse include?

Potential Complication:

Variable Fetal Heart Rate Decelerations: Variable decelerations are typically associated with cord compression, which may occur during labor, especially with oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid). The fetal heart rate drops to 100 bpm with contractions but recovers within 30 seconds, fitting the description of variable decelerations. Since amniotic fluid cushions the umbilical cord, a reduction in fluid can increase the likelihood of cord compression.

Actions to Take:

1. Turn client to left side: Repositioning the client to the left lateral position can relieve pressure on the umbilical cord, improve blood flow to the placenta, and reduce the occurrence of variable decelerations.
2. Initiate amnioinfusion: An amnioinfusion is a procedure where a sterile fluid is introduced into the uterus to increase the amount of amniotic fluid, reducing cord compression and improving fetal oxygenation. This can help alleviate variable decelerations caused by oligohydramnios.

Parameters to Monitor:

1. Fetal Heart Rate Baseline: Monitoring the fetal heart rate baseline is essential to assess if the decelerations are improving after interventions, ensuring the fetus is not in distress and maintaining an appropriate heart rate (120–160 bpm).
2. Uterine Contraction Frequency: Monitoring the frequency of contractions is important, especially if an amnioinfusion is performed, to ensure contractions are not becoming too frequent or too intense, which could further compromise fetal oxygenation and lead to distress.

A. Fetal head compression. Early decelerations are typically caused by fetal head compression during contractions. This is usually a benign finding and indicates that labor is progressing.

B. Uteroplacental insufficiency. Uteroplacental insufficiency causes late decelerations, not early decelerations. Late decelerations are more concerning and indicate fetal distress.

C. Cord compression. Cord compression causes variable decelerations, not early decelerations. Variable decelerations can occur at any time during a contraction.

D. Maternal hypertension. Maternal hypertension is not a direct cause of early decelerations. It may contribute to uteroplacental insufficiency, which causes late decelerations.