Pregnancy and birth is ultimately eventful process for you and your child. During that period, you should pay attention to the movement of the fetus inside the womb. Sometimes, the baby might not receive adequate oxygen and nutrients, leading to fetal distress. This may occur due to various causes that the mother and child could suffer.
Here are the common causes of fetal distress
1.Abnormal fetal presentation
Some babies present in a posterior rather than an anterior position, also known as the occiput posterior position (OP). In the OP position, the baby is head-first, with the back of its head turned towards its mother’s back, rotating to the right or left of the sacroiliac joint. OP increases the risk of prolonged labor, prolapsed umbilical cord, etc. The conditions can lead to brain bleeds, lack of oxygen, birth asphyxia, and other fetal distress symptoms.
2.Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a pregnancy complication that is characterized by proteinuric hypertension. It can lead to cerebral hemorrhage, coagulopathy, and death. It affects your arteries carrying blood to your placenta. Lack of enough blood in your placenta makes your baby get inadequate blood and oxygen, causing retard fetal growth and fetal distress.
3.Prolonged and arrested labor
Medical experts have a standard timeline for the normal progression of labor. If the labor progress is delayed for too long, it can lead to health risks to the mother and child. The hazards include oxygen deprivation, trauma, infection to the mother, permanent injury, and more.
4.Placental abruption
Placental abruption occurs when your placenta partly or wholly separates from the inner wall of the uterus before giving birth. The condition decreases/blocks oxygen and nutrient supply to the baby, causing fetal distress and heavy bleeding in the mother.
5.Too much amniotic fluid
Too much amniotic fluid in the uterus increases the pressure on the surrounding organs, causing pregnancy complications. Your child will have problems accessing oxygen and other nutrients, causing fetal distress. Also, the condition can lead to oxygen deprivation and birth injuries if you have abnormally low amniotic fluid.
Other causes of fetal distress include:
- Uterine rupture
- Too frequent contractions
- Abnormally low blood presser
What to do when you notice signs of fetal distress
- Seek medical attention
If you start experiencing signs of fetal distress, it is essential to immediately go to the emergency room to assess the cause of the problem. You might be hospitalized for a few hours or days to get medication and evaluate your baby’s health. If it’s severe and the remedy fails, it might be necessary to deliver prematurely.
- Hire a birth injury attorney
The doctors are responsible and should take the signs of fetal distress seriously. They should notice and address the symptoms to avoid permanent injuries and disability in your baby. Failure to follow the standard of care for fetal distress can lead to injuries, and they will be liable for medical negligence.
Such negligence is part of medical malpractice, and you can file a claim. However, birth injury is a complex area of law, and you’ll need an attorney.
In Summary
Pregnancy is a long process, and complications can cause your unborn child to go into fetal distress. Knowing the common causes of the condition is the first step in staying proactive to prevent it. The above are the common causes of fetal distress and solution on what to do when you notice its signs.
