Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Pregnancy complications: Fetal distress

Being pregnant can give us bliss and excitement as we wait for the childbirth. However there are also challenges that expectant mothers have to surpass and one of these is fetal distress. Fetal distress can range from mild to significant and to life-threatening.

Most medical practitioners do not have the same idea or definition of fetal distress. Yet, in general,

" Fetal distress refers to a state where insufficient oxygen is reaching the fetus. If oxygen deficiency is severe and prolonged, permanent damage to the baby could result. It is, therefore, the norm, to err on the side of caution.-- pregnancybliss.com "

In the lay man's term, it is mostly recognized when the baby or the fetus is not feeling well in the mother's womb or becoming excessively fatigue.

There are many reasons for fetal distress. This can be known when there are changes in fetal movements at the womb. However, most of the times, the fetus exhibit less signal that it is under distress. It is therefore highly important that an expectant mother undergoes laboratory tests like cardiotocography (CTG).

Electronic fetal monitoring in the form of cardiotocography (CTG) is now the standard form of fetal surveillance in labor in most countries.

Causes of Fetal distress before labor
  • Placental abruption
  • Vasa previa

Causes of Fetal distress during labor
  • Over-stimulation of the uterus
  • When the cord (umbilical) is compressed
  • Any activity that reduces the blood supply to the fetus
  • Placental detaching in labor before delivery
  • Rupture of the uterus

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