A fetal baseline heart rate of 140 bpm is considered what according to NICHD terminology?

A fetal baseline heart rate of 140 beats per minute is classified as normal according to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) terminology. The standard reference range for a healthy fetal heart rate typically lies between 110 and 160 bpm. Within this range, a heart rate of 140 bpm indicates that the fetus is responding adequately to both environmental and physiological conditions, suggesting that the fetus is generally well-oxygenated and not currently experiencing any distress.

Recognizing the normal ranges helps clinicians in monitoring fetal well-being during labor and can be crucial in making timely decisions regarding interventions if the heart rate were to deviate from these standards. The understanding of what constitutes normal, tachycardia, or bradycardia is vital for both assessment and communication within healthcare teams in order to ensure appropriate management and care of the mother and fetus.