Causes of fetal distress

Fetal distress often occurs due to metabolic disorders in the fetus. This phenomenon may be temporary, but it can be prolonged and lead to fetal death.

There are many causes of fetal distress, including distress during pregnancy and labor.

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Fetal distress during pregnancy is often caused by: poor placental development, fibrosis, infection; maternal cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, heart failure, viral infections, toxoplasmosis, resketsia, listeria, syphilis; incompatibility between maternal and fetal blood; post-term pregnancy; and a history of stillbirth.

Fetal distress during labor is often caused by: frequent uterine contractions; prolonged labor, premature rupture of membranes, amniotic fluid infection, short umbilical cord, or umbilical cord prolapse.
Fetal distress during pregnancy is often characterized by decreased fetal movement, altered fetal heart rate, and multiple amniotic fluid tests every 48 hours. A pale green color in the amniotic fluid is a sign of fetal distress. During labor, fetal distress is often accompanied by strong and prolonged contractions, a rapid fetal heart rate of 160-180 beats/minute or a slow heart rate below 110 beats/minute; and the presence of fecal matter in the amniotic fluid.

Management: If the fetus is in distress and is at maturity, intervention is necessary to deliver the baby, either through induced labor or cesarean section.

According to Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Hoang - Knowledge - NT