Fetal Heart Rate Deceleration

Normally, the fetal heart rate is 120-160 beats per minute. A heart rate of less than 120 indicates fetal hypoxia, a dangerous pathological process characterized by a decreased supply of oxygen to the fetus. Hypoxia occurs due to atypical processes taking place in the female body. The time of formation, course and intensity of the manifestation of symptoms directly affect the development and general health of the child. Treatment of hypoxia should be carried out as early as possible so that the disease does not cause irreparable consequences.

Fetal Heart Rate Deceleration

Hypoxia can be diagnosed at any stage of pregnancy. The sooner intrauterine hypoxia of the fetus occurs, the more seriously it will affect the development of the child (both mental and physical). It can also damage the central nervous system, but this is in case of untimely or incorrect treatment. Medical statistics show that in 10-15% of all pregnancies, fetal heart rate deceleration is observed. In this case, treatment is primarily aimed at normalizing the flow of blood to the uterus and placenta, but in case of acute fetal hypoxia, it is recommended to induce labor by artificial means, rather than using any treatment methods.

Causes of fetal heart rate deceleration

The causes of intrauterine hypoxia of the fetus are various pathologies that occur in the mother’s body, as well as adverse environmental factors. Hypoxia can occur due to diseases:

  • hypertension;
  • diabetes;
  • heart disease;
  • preeclampsia and eclampsia;
  • chronic bronchitis or asthma;
  • various kidney diseases;
  • damage to the integrity of the uterus;
  • prolonged crushing of the head, neck of the baby during childbirth;
  • complication of the passage of the baby through the birth canal (most often occurs due to large volumes or incorrect posture of the baby);
  • amniotic fluid volume increase;
  • pregnancy with two, three or more fruits;
  • intrauterine infection of the child;
  • blocking the placenta of the birth canal from the uterus;
  • wrapping the umbilical cord around the baby’s neck;
  • disruption of blood flow in the placenta;
  • poor ecology and high air pollution in the place where the expectant mother lives;
  • taking a lot of drugs;
  • chemical poisoning;
  • abuse of alcohol, nicotine or drugs during pregnancy.

Consequences of fetal hypoxia

If you ignore the symptoms or when you see a doctor late, hypoxia seriously threatens the health and development of the fetus.

Complications of chronic fetal hypoxia can include:

  • changes in the structure and structure of some internal organs; hemorrhage;
  • inability to independently perform the functions characteristic of the first days after birth;
  • neurological diseases;
  • mental retardation;
  • psychical deviations;
  • cerebral palsy and autism.

Acute and chronic fetal hypoxia can lead to fetal death in the womb or death of the baby during the first week of life.

How to determine fetal hypoxia?

Determining fetal hypoxia starting from the fifth month of pregnancy will not be difficult. It is much more difficult to do this in the first 3 months, but the sooner the diagnosis is made, the higher the likelihood of avoiding the consequences of the disease.

Diagnosis of fetal hypoxia consists of:

  • using special gynecological diagnostic techniques, transparency, color and amount of amniotic fluid are evaluated;
  • doppler test, which allows you to track the speed of blood flow in the umbilical cord and placenta;
  • ultrasound scan;
  • CTG;
  • listening through a stethoscope heart rate;
  • monitoring the intensity of fetal movements.

Treatment options

At the first manifestations of symptoms of fetal heart rate deceleration, a pregnant woman is immediately hospitalized. The first thing treatment is aimed at is stabilizing the supply of oxygen to the fetus and lowering the tone of the uterus. For this, the patient is prescribed strict bed rest and taking medications that will improve oxygen permeability and metabolism. Often, oxygen therapy and hyperbaric oxygenation (pressure chamber) are also prescribed, which allows increasing blood oxygenation not only in the mother’s body but also in the fetus.

When the first improvements in the condition of the fetus are observed, a woman can perform gymnastics, various breathing exercises, attend aqua gymnastics. If no measures to normalize the oxygen supply to the fetus have given the desired effect or the symptoms of fetal hypoxia persist for more than twenty-eight weeks of pregnancy, it is best to have a cesarean section immediately. In case of acute hypoxia, the help of a resuscitator is necessary for a newborn child.

Prevention of fetal hypoxia

Prevention of fetal hypoxia should be performed by a woman who decided to become a mother, namely:

  • choose the right way to have a baby. With the caesarean section, there is less chance of fetal hypoxia than with natural birth;
  • timely treatment of diseases that accompany pregnancy;
  • avoid strong physical exertion, only breathing exercises;
  • have enough time to rest;
  • rationalize nutrition by consuming large amounts of vitamins and calcium;
  • lead a healthy lifestyle, give up alcohol, nicotine and drugs;
  • regular monitoring at antenatal clinics;
  • timely consultation with an obstetrician-gynecologist;
  • plan a pregnancy and prepare carefully for it;
  • treatment of chronic, infectious or gynecological diseases.

Category: Health Care

Tags: heart, heart disease, heart rate