Childbirth brings with it the possibility of complications that can be serious and even life-threatening for both the baby. One such complication that can occur is the presence of fetal distress. Cases involving fetal distress generally arise when event during labor or deliver results in the baby's oxygen supply being cut off. When signs of fetal distress exist immediate action must be taken to prevent injury to the baby.
Below we discuss two circumstances which can lead to fetal distress:
1. Placental Abruption
One way in which the baby's oxygen supply can be cut off occurs when the mother experiences a placental abruption. A placental abruption involves the separation of the lining of the placenta from the uterus. As the placenta breaks away from the uterus the blood vessels within the placental cause bleeding. In many cases the mother will experience vaginal bleeding at this point.
The affected blood vessels are involved in the transfer of nutrients and oxygen to the baby. The separation of the placenta can thus cut off this much needed supply. In addition, if the separation and resulting bleeding is extensive it can lead to the mother going into shock and even lead to her death.
Placental abruption occurs about once in every 120 births and is the main source of bleeding late in the pregnancy. It is generally diagnosed by the presence of signs such as bleeding, pain, uterine contractions that do not relax, a drop in the mother's blood pressure, and signs of fetal distress. An ultrasound may help show the location of the bleeding. There is no treatment to stop a placental abruption and there is no intervention that can reattach the placenta. An emergency C-section is performed for most cases involving a placental abruption.
2. Infections
One complication that can lead to fetal distress is the presence of infection. In particular, bacterial infections can travel up through the mother's cervix, penetrating the placenta and entering the amniotic fluid. Bacterial infections can cause changes in the placenta that adversely affect the placenta's ability to deliver oxygen and nutrients to the baby, resulting in fetal distress.
Signs that the mother has an infection include the presence of fever and a change in blood pressure. If the infection has spread to the point where it is affecting the baby an emergency C-section is generally performed to avoid injury to the baby.
Both placental abruptions and infections are known sources of potential distress of the fetus resulting from the deprivation of much needed oxygen to the baby. If appropriate action is not taken immediately once this condition arises the child can be left with severe consequences include brain damage, cerebral palsy or even death. Given the severity of the potential harm to the baby doctors, nurses and other health care providers must follow the standard of care as soon as a placental abruption or infection arise giving rise to fetal distress.
Doctors, nurses and other health care professionals are thus legally held to the standard of care. Should they fail to take appropriate action under the standard of care established by the medical community and action causes an injury to the mother or her baby, the family may be able to bring a medical malpractice claim.
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