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Intercostal retractions occur when the muscles between the ribs pull inward. The movement is most often a sign that the person has a breathing problem. Intercostal retractions are a medical emergency.
Here's a mini overview of deceleration in laborâ¦ early decelerations may be caused by head compression usually not associated with fetal compromise ; usually requires no intervention; late decelerations can be caused by uteroplacental insufficiency or impaired placental exchange the patterns look similar to early decelerations but begin well after the contraction begins and return to baseline after the contraction ends