Summary
Labour analgesia induction can result in fetal heart rate changes and even severe fetal bradycardia. This is most likely due to uterine hypertonus secondary to an acute drop in circulating epinephrine. If the uterus is quickly relaxed and fetus properly resuscitated, this should not affect the outcome of the delivery or neonatal health.
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Riley, E.T. Labour analgesia and fetal bradycardia. Can J Anesth 50 (Suppl 1), R27–R29 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018152
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03018152