Fetal bradycardia means a fetus’s heart rate is slower than it should be. The underlying issues causing it can range from mild to severe. Your healthcare team will keep you informed about their concerns and the next steps to take.
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Fetal bradycardia is when a fetus’s heart rate is slower than it should be — below 110 beats per minute (bpm). A normal fetal heart rate is 110 to 160 bpm. Fetal bradycardia is a type of abnormal heartbeat called an arrhythmia.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy
Brief fetal bradycardia isn’t usually a cause for concern. But when it lasts a while, it’s a sign of fetal distress. This means the fetus isn’t getting enough oxygen. It can lead to complications.
Fetal heart rate monitoring helps healthcare providers catch this issue. They’ll act quickly to try to fix it.
It’s important to note that bradycardia definitions vary for fetuses, children and adults.
You can’t feel fetal heart rate changes, like bradycardia. Only your healthcare provider can tell if fetal heart rate readings are abnormal. If you notice less movement or fewer kicks than usual, contact your provider right away.
Several situations and conditions can lead to fetal bradycardia. Some are more likely to happen in the third trimester or during labor. Others may develop earlier in pregnancy.
Common causes of fetal bradycardia that providers can usually fix during labor include:
Emergency causes of fetal bradycardia that can happen in late pregnancy or during labor include:
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These conditions are serious. You’ll need an emergency C-section or an assisted vaginal birth if they happen.
Other causes of fetal bradycardia that are more likely to develop earlier in pregnancy include:
If bradycardia lasts for longer than 10 minutes, serious complications may develop. It can lead to:
Your care team will make every attempt to deliver your baby safely to prevent these complications.
Your pregnancy care provider diagnoses fetal bradycardia by reading the fetal heart rate (FHR). They use fetal heart rate monitoring during pregnancy appointments and labor. Your provider may use other tests, like an ultrasound or a fetal echocardiogram, to find the cause of it.
At the first signs of fetal bradycardia during labor, your care team may use certain methods to help fix it. These include:
These methods fix most mild, reversible causes of fetal bradycardia.
If there’s prolonged fetal bradycardia or signs of a serious complication, you may need an emergency delivery. Your provider may use forceps or a vacuum if you’re fully dilated and the baby is low enough in your uterus. Or they may need to do an emergency C-section.
Your provider will talk you through what’s happening and why they’re concerned. They’ll ask for your consent before any procedure.
It’s difficult to predict how fetal bradycardia may affect your baby. Most infants with a diagnosis of it during labor are healthy at birth.
One study analyzed 45 cases of fetal bradycardia that occurred during the second stage of labor. Except in cases of umbilical cord prolapse, fetal bradycardia wasn’t associated with poor outcomes.
Your care team will be your guide. They’ll do a thorough health evaluation once your baby is born.
Learning that your baby may be in danger can turn a joyful moment into a scary one. Your healthcare provider wants the best for you and your baby. So, they may err on the side of caution if fetal bradycardia develops. This may mean that they’ll recommend a C-section or an assisted vaginal delivery. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. You still have a say in what happens next.
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Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
Cleveland Clinic’s health articles are based on evidence-backed information and review by medical professionals to ensure accuracy, reliability and up-to-date clinical standards.
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