In many cases, pregnancy and birth are long and uncomfortable, but ultimately uneventful processes (that is, up until your babe's large debut). But sometimes, pregnancy or labor complications tin cause an unborn baby to go into fetal distress, which tin can be dangerous and may require firsthand delivery.

Hither'south what yous need to know well-nigh this relatively rare complexity, including tips to reduce your risk.

What is fetal distress?

Fetal distress (what doctors adopt to telephone call "nonreassuring fetal status") is when your practitioner is concerned that your baby's oxygen supply may be compromised in utero before or during labor. Oxygen deprivation can result in decreased fetal middle charge per unit and requires immediate action to protect your baby.

What causes fetal distress?

Fetal distress may exist caused by a number of factors, including:

  • Intrauterine growth brake (IUGR)
  • Preeclampsia
  • Placental abruption
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Likewise much amniotic fluid
  • Low levels of amniotic fluid
  • A pregnancy lasting longer than 40 weeks
  • Labor complications, including labor going likewise quickly or lasting too long
  • Umbilical cord prolapse, pinch or entanglement
  • Staying in a position (usually flat on your back during labor) for a long menses of time, which eventually puts pressure on your major blood vessels and cuts off oxygen to your baby

What are the signs of fetal distress?

You may exist experiencing signs of fetal distress if you or your dr. notes that:

  • Your baby has a decreased heart rate
  • Your baby has a different (on nonexistent) pattern of fetal movement after calendar week 28
  • Your water breaks and is greenish-brown (that'southward baby's beginning poop; some babies who pass this meconium while still in the uterus may be in distress)

The simply way to know for certain that your babe's in fetal distress is with a continuous fetal monitor, performing a nonstress test or with an ultrasound and performing a biophysical profile.

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Who is most at hazard for fetal distress?

Several conditions may put your baby at increased risk for fetal distress, including:

  • IUGR
  • Likewise much or too little amniotic fluid
  • Preeclampsia
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Placental abruption
  • Umbilical string problems
  • A long or complicated labor
  • An overdue pregnancy

What can yous do if your baby is in distress?

If you've noticed a change in fetal activity or your kick count is off and yous're concerned, call your practitioner correct away. Also reach out immediately if your water has cleaved and is greenish-brown, which means it's stained with meconium.

When you lot arrive at your practitioner'south function or the hospital, you'll get placed on a fetal monitor to cheque whether your infant is actually showing signs of distress. You lot may also receive supplemental oxygen to help oxygenate your blood, too as Iv fluids, which should assist regulate your babe's heart charge per unit. (These same steps will exist taken if your md notices your baby's in distress during a routine checkup or nonstress test.)

If you're already in labor, you may exist told to switch positions. You may too be taken off of contraction-inducing drugs (oxytocin) or given a medication to boring contractions.

If these techniques don't piece of work, the best treatment is a quick commitment, often by C-section.

Is in that location annihilation you tin practice to preclude fetal distress?

While you can't prevent fetal distress, y'all can lower the odds it'll happen to yous by going to all of your prenatal appointments and following your doctor'southward recommendations for a salubrious pregnancy. These tips are particularly important if you've been diagnosed with a condition that increases your risk of fetal distress, like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.

Many people don't necessarily notice a infant is in fetal distress, then an increasing number of prenatal appointments during the concluding few weeks of pregnancy allows your doctor to monitor your infant's heart rate, measure your belly and inquire y'all about your baby's movements to ensure everything'south going as expected. A baby with a strong, stable heartbeat with advisable movements is doing well.