It is clear that the term "distress of the fetus" is derived from the word "distress", which indicates the danger of the fetus in the womb. The complications of pregnancy do not only affect the pregnant woman, but the effects extend to the fetus as well, which makes us not expect some possible problems during the birth process. During the periodical follow-up of pregnancy or during labor, your doctor may notice the presence of some problems, or that the fetus faces difficulty in adapting well during the labor stage, which leads to the diagnosis of the condition as "fetal distress" or "fetal pain". Sangadham Lek in a Dalili Medical. All the detailed information about the distress of the fetus during pregnancy and childbirth.

**What is the embryonic distress?**

Fetal distress refers to a situation in which there is a deficiency in the amount of oxygen that the fetus receives during pregnancy or during the birth process. Usually, this condition is recognized through abnormal patterns in the heart rate of the fetus, and other signs such as decreased movement of the fetus also appear. Fetal stress can lead to serious complications, such as cerebral palsy, hypoxia and hypoxia (HIE), and even death of the fetus if not treated properly.

What is fetal pain or distress during pregnancy and childbirth?

 

It is also possible to refer to this condition after carrying the fetus, where the occurrences are related to the lack of oxygen in the fetus during the stage of labor. Although the reduction of blood flow to the fetus is a natural phenomenon during uterine contractions, the continued lack of oxygen for a long time may lead to the destruction of the baby's nose, which may threaten its life in some cases. Therefore, we cannot confirm that the main reason behind the occurrence of fetal distress If the fetus does not get enough oxygen or nutrients, the causes are due to multiple factors.

**How ​​does the doctor detect fetal distress?**

 

Usually, the doctor can identify fetal distress during pregnancy and childbirth by measuring the fetal heart rate. If these rates are abnormal, it may indicate the existence of distress. Although you may not suffer any complications during pregnancy or childbirth, it is necessary for doctors to monitor the condition of the fetus in all stages of pregnancy to ensure quick and active intervention in the event of any complications. You should be aware that the lack of early detection of fetal distress may lead to many problems during pregnancy and childbirth, so it is important to first identify the causes of this problem.

**What is the prevalence of fetal distress?**

 

There are no accurate statistics about the occurrence of fetal distress, as most cases are temporary. However, estimates range from one case out of every 25 births to one case out of every 100 cases.

**Risk factors that increase the chances of fetal distress**

 

There are several factors that increase the probability of the fetus being exposed to fetal distress, including:

- Al-Samna

- Smoking the nation.

- Suffering from my mother, high blood pressure or being in the preparatory stage of preeclampsia.

**How ​​can fetal distress be detected during pregnancy and childbirth?**

 

Fetal distress can be recognized by observing a slow heartbeat of the fetus (bradycardia) or a decrease in its movements. Also, the leakage of amniotic fluid may also indicate the presence of fetal distress.

Usually, we monitor the fetal heart rate and movements during pregnancy using fetal monitoring devices and ultrasound tests. Fetal distress occurs when the fetal heart rate drops to at least 100 beats per minute. If the doctor cannot detect a slowdown in the fetal heart rate. During pregnancy, which led to the birth of the child in a damaged state, there may be a justification to submit a claim due to medical negligence, where the pregnancy control was not sufficient or comprehensive.

**Causes of fetal distress**

**Maternal factors** Many health conditions of the mother contribute to the occurrence of fetal distress, and the most prominent ones are:

- **Pregnancy poisoning**: This condition is characterized by high blood pressure and the presence of signs of damage in other organs, usually including the liver and kidneys.

- **Gestational diabetes**: high blood sugar levels during pregnancy can negatively affect the development of the fetus and oxygen supply.

- **Infection**: Infection can lead to complications affecting the health of the fetus

**umbilical cord problems** Some problems related to the umbilical cord, such as cord prolapse (where the cord slips through the cervix before the baby comes out), cervical cord (when the cord twists around the fetus's ribs) or knots, obstruct the flow of blood and oxygen to the fetus.

**Materials related to childbirth**
There are several height factors that lead to the fetus being exposed to discomfort during the birth process:

- **Prolonged labor**: Prolonged labor can lead to the exhaustion of the fetus's energy, which causes a decrease in its oxygen levels.

- **Hyperstimulation of the uterus**: Excessive contractions press on the umbilical cord, which hinders the supply of oxygen to the fetus.

- **Using some medicines**: Some medicines used to stimulate or speed up labor have a negative effect on the heart rate of the fetus.

** How to act in case of fetal emergency **

 

If there is a delay in the heart rate of the fetus, the medical team must take the necessary measures. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform an urgent delivery to remove the fetus from the mother's womb, as not taking these steps is considered medical negligence. If there is concern about fetal distress during labor, it is possible to monitor the mother's condition and perform an examination of the fetus to verify its acidity level. In cases characterized by the complexity of childbirth, doctors should decide to perform a cesarean delivery or caesarean section as soon as possible. If the caesarean section is not performed at the right time or it is performed incorrectly, it may be possible to file a lawsuit for medical negligence.Other than the condition of the mother, which may help speed up the birth process, in addition to intravenous fluids, taking medicines, and other procedures.

*Symptoms and observation of fetal distress**

 

**Symptoms** Detecting the symptoms of fetal distress mainly through abnormal patterns in the heart rate of the fetus. Among these symptoms are:

- ** Tachycardia **: where the fetal heart rate is abnormally fast.

- **Bradycardia**: Where the fetal heart rate is abnormally slow.

- **Delayed delay**: where the heart rate slows down after the peak of the contraction, which may indicate a lack of oxygen.

- **variable deviations**: a sudden decrease in heart rate, often associated with umbilical cord pressure.

**Monitoring techniques** The validity of active monitoring is an essential element for early detection of fetal distress and its management. Common methods include the following:

**Electronic Fetal Monitoring (EFM)** is one of the most widely used electronic fetal monitoring techniques, where you continuously record the fetal heart rate and maternal contractions. This advanced healthcare technology helps to identify abnormal patterns that may indicate the presence of tightness.

**Taking a fetal scalp sample** Taking a fetal scalp sample is a surgical procedure that involves withdrawing a small sample of the fetal scalp during labor. This procedure can provide valuable information about the oxygen levels and the state of acidity and al-Qaida in the fetus in cases of dyspnea.

**Doppler ultrasound** The reliability of Doppler ultrasound is a non-surgical technique used to measure blood flow in the umbilical cord and blood vessels of the fetus, which provides important information about the health of the fetus.

**Diagnosis of fetal distress**

There are several ways to diagnose the condition of the fetus and make sure that there is no respiratory distress, and the most prominent of these methods are:

1. **Ultrasound test**: It is used to check the health of the fetus.

2. **Test of non-stress**: It is considered as one of the common prenatal tests, where the fetal heart rate is measured. The term "no stress" refers to monitoring the response of the fetus without any external pressure.

3. **Fetal vital indicators test**: This test aims to check the safety of the fetus in terms of breathing, movement and the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding it, using ultrasound waves.

4. **Blood pH test**: It is necessary to take a sample of the tail from the scalp of the fetus during labor, where high pH indicates the possibility of fetal distress.

5. **Contraction stress test**: The mother is given a small dose of bitocin intravenously, and the effects on the fetus are monitored and its response to contractions is monitored.

**Effects of fetal distress**

Fetal distress is one of the conditions that greatly affect both the fetus and the mother. If it is not dealt with urgently, it may lead to:

**complications in newborns**
- **Encephalopathy due to ischemic oxygen deficiency (HIE)**: It is an injury in the brain caused by a lack of oxygen, which may lead to long-term neurological disability.

- **Cerebral Palsy**: It is a group of disorders that affect movement and muscle tension, and are often the result of brain injury during childbirth.

- **Admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)**: Children who suffer from distress need specialized care immediately after birth.

**Al-Kashulat Ali Al-Umm**

- **Emergency Caesarian Section**: Most cases of fetal distress require an emergency Caesarean section to deliver the baby and quickly restore oxygen levels.

- **Emotional and psychological effect**: The experience of fetal distress can be painful for mothers, which leads to feelings of anxiety and tension.

**Management and treatment of fetal distress**

**Intrauterine resuscitation** includes the process of intrauterine resuscitation, a group of interventions aimed at improving the oxygen level that the fetus receives while it is in the mother's womb. Among these interventions:

- Changing the position of the mother: adjusting the position of the mother to reduce pressure on the umbilical cord and increase blood flow.

- **oxygen supply**: giving additional oxygen to the mother to increase the oxygenation of the fetus.

- **Urinary fluids**: giving mother intravenous fluids to improve blood volume and enhance blood circulation.

**Delivery period** When intrauterine resuscitation procedures are not sufficient, it becomes necessary to perform a quick delivery. The available options include:

- **Amniotic fluid injection**: inserting a saline solution into the amniotic sac to reduce the pressure on the umbilical cord.

- **Surgical vaginal delivery**: hiring tools such as forceps or vacuum cleaners to speed up the vaginal delivery process.

- **Caesarean delivery**: performing a caesarean operation to deliver a child urgently.

**Postnatal care** Babies who face fetal distress often need specialized postnatal care, which includes:

- **Neonatal resuscitation**: emergency procedures aimed at establishing breathing and heart rate.

- **Therapeutic hypothermia**: Employing cryotherapy to reduce the risk of brain injury in cases of hypothermia.

- **Continuous monitoring and support**: providing continuous monitoring and support in the neonatal intensive care unit to deal with any complications of the baby's height.

** Ways to reduce the chances of fetal distress: **

- Changing sleeping position.

- Keeping the body well hydrated.

- Consulting a doctor and nutritionist to get advice about a healthy diet.

- Employing an oxygen mask during childbirth.