What Does It Mean If Your Babys Heart Rate Keeps Dropping

A slow fetal heart rate is typically caused by problems with the heart’s electrical system, which sends out electrical impulses that signal the heart muscles to contract or beat. The problem can occur in the sinus node, the heart’s natural pacemaker, where these electrical impulses are generated.

Is it normal for baby's heart rate to drop?

Short bursts of acceleration of the baby’s heart rate are common and indicate that the baby is getting an adequate oxygen supply. Brief decelerations in the baby’s heart rate also can be normal, such as when the baby’s head is compressed while in the birth canal.

What causes deceleration of fetal heart rate?

Early decelerations are caused by compression of the fetal head during uterine contractions. This results in vagal response (a response that occurs when the vagus nerve is stimulated). The vagal response causes a drop in the fetal heart rate.