- Main signs and symptoms
- 1. Decreased fetal movements
- 2. Vaginal bleeding
- 3. Presence of meconium in the water bag
- 4. Strong abdominal cramps
- Possible causes of lack of oxygen
- What to do in case of fetal distress
- Consequences of lack of oxygen
Fetal distress is a relatively rare situation that happens when the baby is not receiving the necessary amount of oxygen in the womb, during pregnancy or during delivery, which ends up affecting his growth and development.
One of the signs most easily identified by the obstetrician is the decrease or change in the rhythm of the fetus' heartbeat, however, the decrease in the baby's movement in the belly can also be an alarm signal for a case of fetal distress.
In the most severe cases, fetal distress can even cause an abortion and, therefore, should be treated as soon as possible, so it is very important to go to all prenatal consultations to do the necessary tests and ensure that the baby if it is developing correctly.
Main signs and symptoms
Some of the most common signs of a baby's lack of oxygen are:
1. Decreased fetal movements
The baby's movements in the womb are an important indicator of his health, so a decrease in the frequency or intensity of movements can be an important sign of a lack of oxygen.
Thus, if there is a decrease in the baby's movements, it is important to go to the obstetrician to do an ultrasound and identify if there is any problem that needs to be treated.
2. Vaginal bleeding
Small bleeds throughout pregnancy are normal and do not mean that something is wrong with the pregnancy, however, if there is heavy bleeding it may mean that there is some change in the placenta and, therefore, there may be a decrease in oxygen levels for the baby.
In these cases, you should go to the hospital immediately because bleeding can also be a sign of an abortion, especially if it happens in the first 20 weeks.
3. Presence of meconium in the water bag
The presence of meconium in the water when the bag bursts is a common sign of fetal distress during labor. Generally, the amniotic fluid is transparent with a yellow or pink color, but if it is brown or green, it may indicate that the baby is in fetal distress.
4. Strong abdominal cramps
Although cramps are a very common symptom during pregnancy, mainly because the uterus is changing and the muscles are adapting, when a very severe cramp appears that also causes back pain, it may indicate that there is a problem with the placenta and, therefore, the baby may be receiving less oxygen.
Possible causes of lack of oxygen
The amount of oxygen reaching the fetus may be decreased due to causes such as:
- Placental detachment; Umbilical cord compression; Fetal infection.
In addition, there is a greater risk of fetal distress in pregnant women with pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes or who have problems with uterine growth during pregnancy.
What to do in case of fetal distress
If fetal distress is suspected, due to the presence of one or more signs, it is important to go immediately to the emergency room or obstetrician, to assess what problem may be causing the oxygen depletion and start the appropriate treatment.
Most of the time, the pregnant woman may need to be hospitalized for a few hours or days, to make medications directly in the vein and continuously assess the baby's health.
In more severe cases, where there is no improvement in fetal distress, it may be necessary to have a premature birth. If the delivery process has already started, the baby may be born by normal delivery, but in many cases a cesarean section is necessary.
Consequences of lack of oxygen
The lack of oxygen in the baby needs to be treated quickly to avoid sequelae such as paralysis or heart disease, for example. In addition, if the lack of oxygen continues for a long time, there is a risk of miscarriage.
