fetal distress

(nonreassuring fetal status)

A condition when a fetus is not receiving adequate oxygen during pregnancy or labor.

The fetal heart rate should be monitored throughout pregnancy and taken at every prenatal appointment, most commonly measured via electronic fetal monitor. It should be between 110 and 160 beats per minute during the third trimester of pregnancy and labor.

Signs:
- Tachycardia
- Bradycardia
- Variable decelerations (abrupt decreases in heart rate)
- Late decelerations (late returns to the baseline heart rate after a contraction)

Causes:
- Anemia
- Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
- Post-term pregnancy (pregnancy at 42 weeks or more)
- Meconium-stained amniotic fluid (in green color)
- Oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid)
- Pregnancy-induced hypertension
- Abruptio placentae

Treatment:
- They may require immediate intervention, such as delivery by C-section or certain methods of intrauterine resuscitation. To bring the baby to an oxygen-rich state as soon as possible to avoid the risk of brain injury such as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).