What intervention is commonly used for variable decelerations?

Variable decelerations in fetal heart rate often indicate the presence of umbilical cord compression, which can occur during contractions or due to changes in the fetal position. Changing the maternal position is a common intervention aimed at alleviating this compression. By repositioning the mother—such as rolling to her side or assuming other positions that can relieve pressure on the cord—the goal is to enhance blood flow, improve fetal oxygenation, and mitigate the decelerations observed on the fetal heart rate monitor.

Maintaining optimal maternal position can help create more space for the fetus and relieve the mechanical pressure on the umbilical cord, resulting in a more stable fetal heart rate tracing. Thus, this intervention directly addresses the underlying cause of variable decelerations, making it a key component in the management of this condition during labor. Other options, while they may have their uses in different contexts of obstetric care, do not specifically target the resolution of variable decelerations related to cord compression.