A condition, e.g. a heart or respiratory problem, in which a fetus may not survive if the condition is not monitored and corrected.
General term for problems experienced by a fetus, especially with getting enough oxygen during the period of LABOR and delivery. Fetal monitoring seeks to identify early signs of fetal distress so that death and damage can be avoided. If a sample of blood from the baby’s scalp shows high acidity, that may also indicate insufficient oxygen (hypoxia). So can the presence of meconium (fetal stool) in the amniotic fluid. In cases of fetal distress, prompt delivery is indicated, either by forceps delivery, vacuum extraction, or cesarean section.
Compromised or abnormal condition of the fetus, usually characterized by abnormal heart rhythm and discovered during pregnancy or labor, sometimes through the use of a fetal monitor. If possible, the cause of the problem is determined and corrected; otherwise, immediate Cesarean delivery may be indicated.
Signs during labor that the well-being of a fetus may be compromised. Doctors and midwives often use fetal monitoring during labor to permit early detection of abnormalities that may endanger the fetus. The presence of more than one sign of fetal distress on the fetal monitoring tracing generally calls for taking a sample of the baby’s blood from its scalp to test for pH level, which is a measure of acidity and alkalinity. A low pH level (less than 7.0) or other signs of distress call for immediate intervention, including cesarean section.
A nonspecific clinical diagnosis indicating pathology in the fetus. The distress, which may be due to lack of oxygen, is judged by fetal heart rate or biochemical changes in the amniotic fluid or fetal blood.
The fetus undergoes physical stress during labor due to insufficient oxygen supply. With each contraction, the uterus tightens, leading to a reduction in the oxygen received from the placenta. If additional issues arise, such as pressure on the umbilical cord or maternal blood loss, the fetus may receive an inadequate amount of oxygen.
Several monitoring techniques can be employed during childbirth to identify signs of fetal distress. One such method is the use of a cardiotocograph (fetal heart monitoring), which records the baby’s heart rate and detects if it’s slow or lacking normal variability. Additionally, acidosis, indicating insufficient oxygen supply to the fetus, can be identified through a blood sample taken from the baby’s scalp. Another indicator of fetal distress is the presence of meconium (fetal faeces) in the amniotic fluid.
Fetal distress may occur as a brief episode at times, but if the acidosis becomes severe, it might necessitate urgent delivery of the distressed fetus through methods such as caesarean section, forceps delivery, or vacuum extraction.
The utilization of a device to record and/or listen to the fetal heartbeat during pregnancy and labor.
During pregnancy, the fetal heart is regularly examined using a fetal stethoscope or Doppler ultrasound scanning. If tests suggest any issues with the placenta’s function or slow baby growth, additional monitoring is conducted. A healthy fetus will experience an increased heart rate due to uterine contractions or other stimuli like reflex kicking, which can be detected by a fetal heart monitor used by the midwife or obstetrician. Monitoring during labor can identify fetal distress, characterized by abnormal fetal heart rate patterns caused by oxygen deprivation.
The most straightforward method of fetal heart monitoring involves using a specialized fetal stethoscope. A more advanced electronic version called cardiotocography produces continuous paper recordings of the heartbeat and uterine contractions. The heartbeat can be detected externally using an ultrasound transducer strapped to the mother’s abdomen or, during labor, internally through an electrode attached to the baby’s scalp that passes through the vagina and cervix. The mother’s uterine contractions are measured and recorded using an external pressure gauge strapped to her abdomen or an internal plastic tube inserted through the vagina into the amniotic fluid.