Fetal bradycardia during antepartum testing. Further observations

One hundred twenty-one cases of antepartum fetal bradycardia, occurring at 36 weeks' gestation or greater, were prospectively managed by active intervention and delivery. There were no fetal deaths. Intrapartum complications were similar at all gestational ages, regardless of whether the bradycardia was associated with a reactive or nonreactive nonstress test. Only the incidence of low five-minute Apgar scores was significantly higher in the nonreactive group. The incidence of cord compression patterns (variable decelerations) in labor was higher than that of uteroplacental insufficiency patterns (late decelerations). Intervention with delivery in the presence of fetal bradycardia should be considered in all cases with evidence of fetal lung maturity.