What occurs to cardiac output when the fetal heart rate decreases?

When there is a decrease in fetal heart rate, cardiac output (CO) typically decreases, which can lead to insufficient blood flow and oxygen delivery to the fetus, resulting in hypoxia. The fetal heart rate is a critical indicator of the fetus's well-being, and a reduction can signify that the fetus is under stress, potentially due to issues like cord compression, uteroplacental insufficiency, or other complications.

As the heart rate decreases, the volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute (which constitutes cardiac output) is negatively affected. In a healthy fetus, stable heart rates contribute to an adequate cardiac output necessary for meeting metabolic needs. However, a drop in heart rate indicates that the fetus may not be compensating effectively, thereby reducing CO and creating a state that could lead to hypoxic conditions.

In summary, a decrease in fetal heart rate correlates with a decrease in cardiac output, which can result in compromised oxygen delivery to the fetus, hence the connection to hypoxia.