| Normal | Suspicious | Pathological | |
| Baseline | 110 - 160 bpm | Lacking at least one characteristic of normality, but with no pathological features | <100 bpm |
| Variability | 5 - 25 bpm | Reduced variability, Increased variability, or sinusoidal pattern | |
| Decelerations | No repetitive* decelerations | Repetitive, late or prolonged decelerations > 30 min (or 20 min if variability is reduced). Prolonged Deceleration > 5 min | |
| Interpretation | No hypoxia/acidosis | Low probability of hypoxia/acidosis | High probability of hypoxia/acidosis |
| Clinical Management | No intervention necessary | Action to correct reversible causes, close monitoring, or adjunct technologies | Immediate action to correct reversible causes, adjunct technologies or if not possible expedite delivery. In acute situations, immediate delivery must be accomplished |