Scribd
Upload
157 views3 pages

Fetal Distress

Fetal distress occurs when a fetus is not receiving enough oxygen. This can be caused by issues that interrupt the transfer of oxygen from the mother's blood to the fetus, such as problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, preeclampsia, or too frequent contractions. Symptoms of fetal distress include changes in heart rate and decreased movement. It is monitored through tests like non-stress tests and biophysical profiles that check the fetal heart rate and movement. If detected, treatments may include changing the mother's position, giving oxygen, or accelerating the delivery through induction or C-section.

Uploaded by

Maria Donabella Ongue
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
157 views3 pages

Fetal Distress

Fetal distress occurs when a fetus is not receiving enough oxygen. This can be caused by issues that interrupt the transfer of oxygen from the mother's blood to the fetus, such as problems with the placenta or umbilical cord, preeclampsia, or too frequent contractions. Symptoms of fetal distress include changes in heart rate and decreased movement. It is monitored through tests like non-stress tests and biophysical profiles that check the fetal heart rate and movement. If detected, treatments may include changing the mother's position, giving oxygen, or accelerating the delivery through induction or C-section.

Uploaded by

Maria Donabella Ongue
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

VILLAROMAN, KATHLEEN WHAT CAUSES FETAL DISTRESS?

YABUT, SHAIRA The most common cause of fetal distress is the fetus not
getting enough oxygen.
WHAT IS FETAL DISTRESS? The fetus gets oxygen from the mother. The mother
Fetal distress describes a condition when the fetus shows breathes oxygen into the lungs, and then the blood
signs of distress during late pregnancy or labor. Most carries it to the placenta. It’s handed off to the placenta
healthcare providers have replaced the term fetal distress and transferred to the fetus's blood. Anything that
with non-reassuring fetal status (NRFS). interrupts this process may lead to fetal distress.
There are many reasons why the fetus could show signs  Too frequent contractions (tachysystole)
of distress, such as labor, reactions to medications or  Fetal anemia
issues with the umbilical cord or placenta. Fetal distress  Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid)
can be dangerous and cause complications for both  Pregnancy-induced hypertension
mother and the fetus.
 Preeclampsia
 Abnormally low blood pressure
2 TYPES OF FETAL DISTRESS
 Late-term pregnancies (41 weeks or more)
 Acute- occurs suddenly due to acute events
 Fetal growth restriction (very small baby)
 Chronic- occurs slowly usually due to chronic
 Placental abruption
placental insufficiency and fetal growth
 Placental previa
retardation
 Umbilical cord compression
 The mother have a chronic condition like
ANATOMY
diabetes, kidney disease or heart disease
 The mother is expecting identical twins

SYMPTOMS AND CAUSES


The most common signs of fetal distress are:

 Changes in the fetal heart rate (lower or higher


rate than normal).
 The fetus moves less for an extended period of
time.
 Low amniotic fluid.
 Cramping
 Vaginal Bleeding
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
Decreased Oxygen  Excessive Weight Gain
 Inadequate Weight Gain

Hypoxia  Abnormal FHR


 Abnormal level of amniotic fluid
Metabolic Acidosis  Abnormal results of BPP
 High blood pressure in the mother
NR Fetal Status
RISK FACTORS
Asphyxia Several conditions may put your baby at increased risk
for fetal distress, including:
 Fetal growth restriction
Tissue Damage  Too much or too little amniotic fluid
 Preeclampsia
Fetal Death  Uncontrolled diabetes
 Placental abruption
 Umbilical cord problems
 A long or complicated labor Continuous monitoring means the mother wear a
 An overdue pregnancy device around the belly that reads the fetal heart rate at
 Substance abuse during pregnancy
all times (this is the most common method).
FETAL DANGER SIGNS Intermittent monitoring means the provider checks the
 High or Low Fetal Heart Rate fetal heart rate at set times (like every 30 minutes).
 Meconium Staining
 Hyperactivity The two most common ways to monitor fetal heart rate

 Fetal Acidosis for fetal distress are:


Electronic fetal heart rate monitor – The mother wear

MATERNAL DANGER SIGNS a device with an attached sensor around the belly
continuously during labor and birth. It sends the sounds
 Rising or Falling Blood Pressure
of the fetal heart to a computer that the healthcare team
 Abnormal Pulse
can read.
 Inadequate or Prolonged Contractions
 Pathologic Retraction Ring
Doppler devise – The obstetrician places a hand-held
 Abnormal Lower Abdominal Contour
device on the belly that detects the fetal heartbeat using
 Increasing Apprehension
sound waves. The obstetrician uses a Doppler
throughout the pregnancy, most likely at the routine
COMPLICATIONS
prenatal checkups.
 Low APGAR scores
 Brain Injury NURSING DIAGNOSIS
 HIE/Birth asphyxia  Decreased Cardiac Output
 Infections  Acute-pain related to Abdominal Cramping
 Still Birth  Risk for Infection
 Cerebral Palsy  Risk for Decreased Blood Volume
 Fetal Anemia  Knowledge deficit regarding pregnancy
 Oligohydramnios
 Fetal gasping MANAGEMENT AND TREATMENT
 Bronchial Obstruction Maternal Care
• Left lateral position to mother; Hydration
Medical Intervention
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS • Tocolytics
During pregnancy the obstetrician may recommend other • Oxygen Therapy
Surgical Intervention
tests to monitor the fetal heart rate:
• Amnioinfusion ; Immediate CS
If the mother is in labor, some of the things that
NONSTRESS TEST - An electronic fetal monitor
obstetrician may do to help during fetal distress include:
measures the fetal heart rate while sitting or laying
 Changing position. This may increase the blood
down. A belt with an electronic sensor is placed around
return to the heart and oxygen supply to the
the belly. During that time, the fetal heart rate is
fetus
measured and recorded. The test can also measure the
 Giving oxygen through a mask
uterine contractions. The results are either reactive or not
 Giving fluids through IV line
reactive based on how active the fetus is.
 Giving medicine to slow or stop contractions
 Amnioinfusion (a procedure that places fluid in
BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE - An ultrasound that
amniotic sac to relieve umbilical cord
measures fetal movement, muscle tone, breathing
compression).
movement and amniotic fluid volume. It’s sometimes
 Tocolysis (a therapy used to delay preterm labor
combined with a nonstress test.
by temporarily stopping contractions)
During labor, the obstetrician monitors the fetal heart
rate either continuously or intermittently.
 Forceps or a vacuum extractor if the mother is
fully dilated and the baby is low enough in the
uterus.

You might also like