All About Fetal Distress
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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.


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