Fetal Distress

Definition

Fetal distress refers to an abnormal condition that happens in a pregnant woman, which might take place just before the time of delivery or during the childbirth process.

It is referred to as a non-reassuring fetal status by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, since fetal distress and birth asphyxia has been used interchangeably and more confusing, especially in confirming the diagnosis and with the proper management that is applicable for the problem.

Fetal distress has been confusingly used with the condition on birth asphyxia when the baby does not have the adequate amount of oxygen supply before labor, during the labor process or after the period of labor and delivery. The multiple possible causes of this can be due to low levels of oxygen present in the maternal blood, or there is an inadequate blood flow as a result of an umbilical cord compression.

It is historically used to describe a fetus that receives an insufficient amount of oxygen supply from the mother during the pregnancy period or at the moment of labor. Initial detection begins with an abnormal range of the fetal heart rate. This problem is noted approximately in 1 out of 20 pregnant women and fetal delivery has to happen just before any lasting clinical harm can be manifested.

Symptoms of Fetal Distress

The clinical manifestations of fetal distress are:

Decreased fetal movement felt by the pregnant woman
Presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid
Intrauterine growth restriction
Decreased variability noted in the monitoring of the fetal heart rate
Fetal tachycardia or bradycardia
Repetitive variable decelerations
Late decelerations are noted
Low biophysical profile
Fetal metabolic acidosis present
Elevation of fetal blood lactate levels

Causes

Uteroplacental insufficiency is considered as the main cause for antepartal fetal distress. The placenta is an important organ with a role in providing the enough amount of oxygen and nutrients through the umbilical cord going to the fetus.

Other causes of fetal distress are:

Reduced uterine perfusion
Breathing problems
Multiple births
Fetal abnormal position or presentation
Shoulder dystocia noted during delivery
Uteroplacental vascular disease
Reduced fetal reserves
Fetal sepsis during the pregnancy
Nuchal cord
Umbilical cord prolapse
Abruptio placenta during labor
Cases of uterine rupture
Premature closure of the fetal ductus arteriosus

Fetal distress is associated with the following conditions:

Maternal hypovolemia
Fetal growth restriction
Reduced liquor volume

Predisposing risk factors are women who have a history of:

Multiple fetal pregnancies
Stillbirth delivery
Occurrence of polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios
Cases of intrauterine growth restriction
Hypertension during pregnancy, such as preeclampsia or eclampsia
Rh sensitization problem
Decreased fetal movements felt by the pregnant woman
Cases of diabetes and other chronic conditions
Pregnancy that is post-term
Maternal age over 35 years old

Diagnosis

Attending physicians/obstetricians recommend the following for fetal distress:

Ultrasound scan to observe for fetal movements and allow for an observation of the blood flow in the vessels that play the role in carrying blood from the placenta going to the fetus
Electronic fetal heart rate monitoring to assess and evaluate the levels of hypoxia, monitor maternal uterine contractions, monitors the possibility for high risk deliveries
Fetal acid base study to confirm fetal distress
Fetal scalp blood sampling taken during the labor process to measure for the blood oxygen levels
Regular examination of the amniotic fluid from the uterus in order to assess for some signs of meconium staining which can happen with fetal distress

Treatment

The treatment done is usually based on the different clinical manifestations of the patient during the assessment and evaluation done by members of the health team.

Intrauterine resuscitation is considered as the primary treatment needed for a non-reassuring fetal status
Rapid delivery by instrumental delivery is highly recommended among obstetricians
Emergency cesarean birth in cases where vaginal delivery is not advised for the patient, or in cases of severe fetal distress and the presence of a cord prolapse

Encouraging the mother to change position when lying down, specifically on a left lateral side-lying position
The woman has to be well hydrated
The woman has to be monitored for adequate oxygen supply
Tocolysis to delay preterm labor of the woman by means of temporarily putting a stop to contractions
Intravenous hypertonic dextrose fluid has to be started
Amnioinfusion which involves fluid insertion into the amniotic cavity for the purpose of alleviating the compression of the umbilical cord

Complications

Some studies have shown that cases of fetal distress which are left untreated and not well managed can lead to brain damage of the fetus or worst is death.

References:

Fetal Distress: Diagnosis, Conditions & Treatment at http://americanpregnancy.org/labor-and-birth/fetal-distress/

Fetal Distress – Pathogenesis, Epidemiology, Presentation, Investigations, Management at http://patient.info/doctor/fetal-distress

http://www.aviva.co.uk/health-insurance/home-of-health/medical-centre/medical-encyclopedia/entry/fetal-distress/

Hofmeyr GJ, Lawrie TA (2012 Jan 18) Amnioinfusion for potential or suspected umbilical cord compression in labour. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 1: CD000013.

Schauberger CW, Chauhan SP (2009 Mar). Emergency cesarean section and the 30-minute rule: definitions. Am J Perinatol. 26(3):221-6.

Graham EM, Ruis KA, Hartman AL, et al (2008 Dec). A systematic review of the role of intrapartum hypoxia-ischemia in the causation of neonatal encephalopathy. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 199(6): 587-95.