In many cases, pregnancy and birth are long and uncomfortable, just ultimately uneventful processes (that is, upwardly until your baby'south big debut). Merely sometimes, pregnancy or labor complications can cause an unborn baby to become into fetal distress, which can be dangerous and may require immediate delivery.

Here's what you demand to know about this relatively rare complication, including tips to reduce your adventure.

What is fetal distress?

Fetal distress (what doctors prefer to 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 upshot in decreased fetal middle rate and requires firsthand activity to protect your babe.

What causes fetal distress?

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

  • Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
  • Preeclampsia
  • Placental abruption
  • Uncontrolled diabetes
  • Too much amniotic fluid
  • Depression levels of amniotic fluid
  • A pregnancy lasting longer than forty weeks
  • Labor complications, including labor going as well apace or lasting too long
  • Umbilical cord prolapse, compression or entanglement
  • Staying in a position (usually flat on your back during labor) for a long menstruum 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 be experiencing signs of fetal distress if you or your doctor 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'south babe'due south showtime poop; some babies who laissez passer this meconium while still in the uterus may be in distress)

The only way to know for sure that your baby'due south 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 take a chance for fetal distress?

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

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

What tin can y'all do if your baby is in distress?

If you lot've noticed a alter in fetal action or your kicking count is off and y'all're concerned, call your practitioner right abroad. Besides reach out immediately if your water has broken and is green-brownish, which means it's stained with meconium.

When y'all go far at your practitioner'due south office or the infirmary, y'all'll get placed on a fetal monitor to check whether your baby is actually showing signs of distress. You lot may likewise receive supplemental oxygen to help oxygenate your claret, as well as IV fluids, which should assist regulate your baby's heart rate. (These aforementioned steps will be taken if your doctor notices your baby'due south in distress during a routine checkup or nonstress exam.)

If yous're already in labor, y'all may be told to switch positions. You lot may also be taken off of contraction-inducing drugs (oxytocin) or given a medication to slow contractions.

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

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

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

Many people don't necessarily notice a baby is in fetal distress, so an increasing number of prenatal appointments during the last few weeks of pregnancy allows your doctor to monitor your baby's center charge per unit, measure your belly and enquire y'all about your baby'due south movements to ensure everything's going equally expected. A infant with a stiff, stable heartbeat with appropriate movements is doing well.