The physical stress experienced by a fetus during labour as a result of its not receiving enough oxygen. During a contraction, the uterus tightens and reduces the oxygen supply from the placenta to the fetus. If, in addition, there are problems, such as pressure on the umbilical cord or the mother’s losing blood, there may be an inadequate amount of oxygen reaching the fetus. Fetal distress may cause the baby’s heart-rate to slow or to fail to show normal variability, which can be recorded on a cardiotocograph (see fetal heart monitoring). Acidosis (high acidity in the body), which can be detected in a sample of blood taken from the scalp, indicates that the oxygen supply to the fetus is inadequate. Signs of meconium in the amniotic fluid can also be an indication of fetal distress. Fetal distress sometimes occurs as a temporary episode, but, if acidosis is severe, the distressed fetus may need to be delivered promptly by caesarean section, forceps delivery, or vacuum extraction. (See also childbirth.)
Fetal distress |
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