Significance of exaggerated fetal heart rate accelerations during active labor.

One hundred fifty-three of 1,289 patients (11.9%) monitored during labor were identified as having exaggerated fetal heart rate accelerations (EFHRAs), defined as accelerations of the fetal heart rate above the baseline of 30 beats/min or greater and lasting at least 30 seconds. Comparisons of patients with and without EFHRAs showed that the only difference between the two groups was a higher percentage of nulliparous patients in the EFHRA group. Comparisons of intrapartum complications showed a decreased incidence of meconium staining and an increased percentage of abnormal labor patterns in the EFHRA group. Comparisons of neonatal outcome statistics showed lower perinatal morbidity and higher mean birth weight in the EFHRA group.