hi kate

variations in the fetal heart rate during labor are normal

fetal stress is indicated if the babes heart rate does not 'bounce' back after a contraction or if the heart rate stays below 100 (fetal bradycardia)

a fetal heart rate that increases does not necessarily mean fetal stress. A heart rate of 160 plus that becomes the norm (the baseline) does indicate that the baby is stressed...fetal tachycardia

a temporary increase in the heart rate simply indicates a healthy central nervous system of the baby and has no negative bearing

of course this is general info and many factors can counter into decisions made during labor and birth

I hope this helps