What Causes Fetal Distress?

Update Date: 2024-06-25 Source: Network

Fetal distress, also known as fetal hypoxia, is primarily related to maternal factors, fetal factors, as well as umbilical cord and placental factors. When fetal distress occurs, it can be extremely concerning. It is recommended to take preventive measures daily and seek medical attention promptly upon discovering fetal distress.

1. Maternal Factors

Insufficient oxygen content in the mother's blood is an important cause of fetal hypoxia. While mild hypoxia may not manifest obvious symptoms in the mother, it can have an impact on the fetus. Maternal factors that can lead to fetal hypoxia include:

Insufficient blood supply to small arteries, such as hypertension, chronic nephritis, and pregnancy-induced hypertension.
Insufficient oxygen carrying capacity of red blood cells, such as severe anemia, heart disease with heart failure, and pulmonary heart disease.
Acute blood loss, such as prenatal hemorrhagic diseases and trauma.
Impaired uterine placental blood flow, such as precipitous labor or uterine dyssynergy; improper use of oxytocin leading to excessive uterine contractions; prolonged labor, especially the second stage of labor; excessive uterine distension, such as polyhydramnios and multiple pregnancies; premature rupture of membranes, which may compress the umbilical cord.

2. Fetal Factors

Fetal factors that can contribute to fetal hypoxia include:

Dysfunction of the fetal cardiovascular system, such as severe intracranial hemorrhage due to congenital cardiovascular diseases.
Fetal malformations.

3. Umbilical Cord and Placental Factors

The umbilical cord and placenta serve as the channels for the transfer of oxygen and nutrients between the mother and the fetus. Dysfunction in these structures inevitably affects the fetus' ability to obtain the necessary oxygen and nutrients.

Impaired blood flow in the umbilical cord.
Reduced placental function, such as post-term pregnancy, placental developmental disorders (too small or too large), abnormal placental shapes (membranous placenta, marginal placenta, etc.), and placental infections.

There are many factors that can contribute to fetal distress. To prevent this condition, it is necessary to address these factors from various aspects.