What is fetal distress?
Fetal distress is a condition in which the fetus (unborn baby) develops a problem during the mother’s labor. Although fetal distress is a loosely defined medical term, it usually refers to fetal hypoxia (lack of oxygen). Babies with the condition are generally delivered in good health, but in some cases fetal distress can lead to problems such as learning disabilities, cerebral palsy, mental retardation, and seizures.
What causes fetal distress?
Fetal distress can be linked to many causes. Common causes include:
- Contractions—Involuntary tightening of muscles in the uterus (womb) to deliver the baby. Contractions briefly reduce blood flow to the placenta (organ that surrounds the fetus and allows nutrients to pass from the umbilical cord to the baby), and can compress the umbilical cord and cause nutrients to be cut off.
- Infections—These may include complications such as amnionitis, an infection of the organ called the amnion that surrounds the fetus.
- Placental abruption—The placenta separates from the fetus too early.
- Prolapsed umbilical cord—The umbilical cord (which transports nutrients to the baby from the mother) is displaced during labor.
- Hypertonic uterine states—The muscles of the uterus become too tense and do not contract properly.
- Use of oxytocin—A naturally occurring hormone that can be given as a drug to create contractions.
- Hypotension (low blood pressure)—If the mother’s blood pressure decreases during labor, blood flow to the fetus may be reduced. Hypotension can be caused by:
--Epidural anesthesia—An injection into the back to numb the lower body
--Supine position (lying on the back)
How is fetal distress diagnosed?
Electric Fetal Monitoring (EFM), also called a cardiotocograph, allows the fetus heartbeat to be viewed in relationship to the mother’s contractions. EFM is the most commonly used instrument for the diagnosis of fetal distress.
Since fetal distress is a loosely defined term, doctors have different views over what comprises fetal distress. However, signs of distress usually include:
- Brachycardia—A heart rate that is too slow (usually less than 100 beats per minute for a fetus)
- Tachycardia—A heart rate that is too fast (usually over 180 beats per minute). Tachycardia is usually caused by a fever in the mother.
- Thick meconium (the first bowel movement of the fetus) in the amniotic fluid.
- Fetal
acidosis—Too much acid in the blood. A prick of blood from the fetus’ scalp is used as the sample.
How is fetal distress treated?
There are several ways fetal distress is handled, including:
- Cesarean-section (C-section)—The fetus is surgically removed through an incision made in the mother’s abdomen.
- Labor induction—This process accelerates the process of childbirth in order to prevent the fetus from being damaged in the uterus.
- Episiotomy—An incision is made in the perineum (area between the vagina and anus) to help deliver the fetus.
- Forceps delivery— Forceps are twin steel blades that the physician inserts into the vagina and around the baby’s head during a forceps delivery.
- Vacuum extraction delivery— In this procedure, the physician uses an instrument called a vacuum extractor, which has a suction cup that is placed on the baby’s head. A vacuum is created using a pump, and the baby is pulled down the birth canal with the instrument and with the help of the mother’s contractions.
How common is fetal distress?
Because there are no exact measurements of what comprises fetal distress, it is difficult to say how often it occurs. However, in the United States the Cesarean-section rate is about 26 percent.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.This document was last reviewed on: 8/2/2005
