What does "Late deceleration" mean in a report or doctor's letter? In our medical dictionary, you will find a patient-friendly explanation of the meaning of this medical term.
Late deceleration is a term used in medicine to describe a specific pattern seen in a baby's heart rate during labor and delivery. It refers to a decrease in the baby's heart rate that happens after a contraction. This can be a sign that the baby is not getting enough oxygen. It's called "late" because the slowing of the heart rate occurs after the peak of the mother's contraction.
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