Fetal 'fright-bradycardia' brought on by air-raid alarm in Israel

Three cases of severe fetal bradycardia during labor following an air-raid alarm are described. After 2 min of severe bradycardia (less than 60 beats/min) the fetal heart rate (FHR) returned to a normal pattern. In all cases labor progressed uneventfully with an excellent fetal and maternal outcome. The cases are briefly described and possible causative mechanisms are discussed.