Which three indications are used to assess fetal well-being?

To assess fetal well-being in the context of fetal heart monitoring, certain criteria are recognized as positive indicators while others may suggest potential distress.

The correct answer highlights three key components that suggest a healthy fetal condition: a normal baseline heart rate, moderate variability in the fetal heart rate, and the absence of late or variable decelerations.

1. Normal baseline heart rate indicates that the fetal heart is functioning within a typical range, which is essential for assessing adequate fetal oxygenation.
2. Moderate variability reflects a responsive fetal heart rate to the environment and suggests that the fetal central nervous system is functioning well. Variability is the natural fluctuation in heart rate that occurs due to the interplay of sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous system responses.
3. The absence of late or variable decelerations is critical as these can indicate issues such as fetal hypoxia or umbilical cord compression. When these decelerations are not present, it suggests that the fetus is not experiencing distress.

In contrast, the other options contain indicators that are generally associated with fetal distress or abnormal findings, making them unsuitable as indicators of well-being.

Therefore, selecting the first option reflects a comprehensive understanding of the criteria for assessing fetal health in