What is a potential risk of not adequately monitoring fetal heart rate during labor?

The choice indicating an increased risk of undetected fetal distress is correct because continuous and adequate monitoring of fetal heart rate during labor is crucial for identifying signs of fetal distress early. Insufficient monitoring may lead to missed abnormal heart rate patterns that could indicate that the fetus is not receiving enough oxygen or is experiencing other forms of stress during labor. When fetal distress goes unrecognized, it can result in serious complications for the fetus, including potential neurological damage or even stillbirth, depending on the severity and duration of the distress. Timely identification through monitoring allows for appropriate interventions, which could include repositioning the mother, administering oxygen, or proceeding to a cesarean delivery if necessary, thereby significantly improving outcomes for both mother and baby.

In contrast, the other choices suggest outcomes that are either favorable or unrelated to the risks of inadequate monitoring, which does not reflect the reality of how critical fetal heart rate monitoring is in ensuring the safety of the fetus during labor.