Which deceleration pattern is time-locked to contractions?

Which deceleration pattern is time-locked to contractions?

• A. Periodic decelerations
• B. Episodic decelerations
• C. Recurrent decelerations
• D. Intermittent decelerations

Answer: (A)

Time-locked to contractions means the fetal heart rate decelerations occur in sync with uterine contractions. That pattern is described as periodic decelerations, because the decels repeatedly align with the contractions themselves. Episodic decelerations happen without contractions, so they aren’t tied to the contraction cycle. Recurrent decelerations refer to how often the decels occur relative to contractions (frequency), not the timing with contractions. Intermittent decelerations aren’t a timing-based category tied to the contraction pattern. So, when decelerations are consistently linked to contractions, they’re considered periodic decelerations.

Time-locked to contractions means the fetal heart rate decelerations occur in sync with uterine contractions. That pattern is described as periodic decelerations, because the decels repeatedly align with the contractions themselves. Episodic decelerations happen without contractions, so they aren’t tied to the contraction cycle. Recurrent decelerations refer to how often the decels occur relative to contractions (frequency), not the timing with contractions. Intermittent decelerations aren’t a timing-based category tied to the contraction pattern. So, when decelerations are consistently linked to contractions, they’re considered periodic decelerations.