Stress Management
All About Fetal Distress
Non reassuring fetal status (NRFS) and fetal
distress are terms used to describe a baby's health, late in the
pregnancy or during labor. When the baby is not getting enough oxygen,
the above terms are used. The baby gets oxygen from the mother's blood
as the blood passes through the placenta. If the baby is getting less
blood, fetal distress may be the result. NRFS may occur if the labor
contractions are too strong, too long, or too frequent.
Sometimes, this
may result from the use of medicines to help labor, such as oxytocin, or
if the placenta is not working properly. This may also occur if the
umbilical cord is pinched, flattened, or twisted. Distress means
negative stress meaning anxiety and stress for the baby. For stress
management, you can take the help of stress management tools and stress
management products to reduce stress. For more information, read Best
Ways To Reduce Stress.
In fetal distress,
the mother usually has no symptoms. Fetal distress signs are as follows.
The baby has an abnormal heart rate or the baby's stool (called
meconium) is found in the amniotic fluid when the membranes (bag of
waters) rupture or a test of blood from the baby's scalp might show that
the baby's blood is too acidic.
The ultimate goal of stress
relief and stress reduction is to make more oxygen reach the baby. If
your baby shows signs of NRFS and fetal distress, your health care
provider will try to find the cause and correct it right away. Your
provider may ask you to lie on your left side. The large blood vessels
near the spine are less likely to be flattened by the uterus in this
position. You may be given intravenous (IV) fluids or blood if your
blood pressure drops during labor or if you are bleeding a lot. If the
baby's heart rate shows that the umbilical cord may be flattened with
contractions, your provider may ask you to change your position. Raising
the foot of the bed or getting on your hands and knees may help get the
baby off the umbilical cord.
If these stress management
techniques do not correct the problem, a cesarean delivery (C-section)
may be done right away to deliver the baby.