Fetal Distress Symptoms

Fetal distress is a term used to describe any abnormal condition in a fetus. The fetal distress symptoms are seen during labor as this is the time when the fetus is under tremendous stress. This is the reason, doctors tend to monitor the baby's heartbeat during the labor process. Any drop in the heart rate to a lower level or when the heartbeat becomes flat, it is a fetal distress signal. However, symptoms of fetal distress can be felt by the mother during pregnancy too. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the various fetal distress signs for the well-being of your unborn child.

Fetal Distress Causes

Fetal distress can be caused by a number of reasons, some of which are very common. These fetal distress causes include:

• The umbilical cord forming a loop around the baby's neck. This is the most common cause of fetal distress seen in about 30% babies.
• Placental abruption
• Uterine rupture
• Uterine infection
• Multiple births, like in case of twins, triplets or more
• Shoulder dystocia
• Abnormal fetus position and presentation

Symptoms of Fetal Distress

When a baby is healthy in utero, it shows a strong, stable heartbeat and responds to various stimuli with the corresponding movements. This means the baby is not under any kind of fetal distress during labor. However, when the symptoms of fetal distress are seen, it indicates something is wrong. These fetal distress symptoms are as follows:

• When the heart rate of the fetus drops below 100 to 120 beats per minute. Any irregular or unstable heartbeat indicates fetal distress
• Abnormal positioning of the baby leads to lack of oxygen. Therefore, the doctor should find the solution to overcome oxygen deprivation. The doctor may deliver the baby immediately to overcome the chances of brain damage or death of fetus
• Change in pattern of movement or sudden stop in movement of the fetus are fetal distress signs
• When the baby is still in the uterus and passes meconium (first stool), is a very dangerous situation. The meconium, mixed with the amniotic fluid, may be swallowed by the fetus and that may prove to be a toxic concoction for the fetus

Fetal Distress Signals

The above mentioned fetal distress symptoms are seen in babies during the time of labor. However, mothers should always be alert about the fetal distress signals given out by their bodies. The female body is a marvelous thing that immediately sends signs of distress of the baby to the mother. Call it mother's intuition or fetal distress signs, you need to immediately call your doctor if you experience any of the following:

Absence of Fetal Movement
While your baby grows, it tends to move around a lot during a particular time of the day. You need to remember when your baby is most active and the number of kicks you feel during this time. For example, you should remember your baby kicks you 12 times during a particular time of the day. However, if on a particular day, your baby does not kick you that often or does not move at all, call your doctor immediately. The doctor will be able to guide you about the next step that you should follow to keep your fetus healthy.

Spotting or Vaginal Bleeding
Many times, women experience spotting or bleeding during pregnancy. If you experience spotting while pregnant or vaginal bleeding, it may indicate a miscarriage. You need to contact your doctor immediately, especially if you experience bleeding during first trimester.

Cramps
Cramping during pregnancy may arise due to a number of reasons. If you experience cramps, along with bleeding, contact the medical emergency unit immediately. This may be a sign of miscarriage or one of the fetal distress symptoms.

Weight
Women tend to gain around 25 to 20 pounds of weight during pregnancy. However, if you are gaining a very low amount of weight, it may be a fetal distress sign. This indicates the baby is not getting enough nutrients and may need help. Too much weight gain may indicate gestational diabetes in the fetus or that the fetus is growing too big for the mother to handle during labor.

Premature Rupture
If you experience water break before 37 weeks of your pregnancy, it is an indication of fetal distress symptoms. You are going into labor during the period of your pregnancy that is unsafe for the baby to come out. You need to speak to your doctor as you need to deliver immediately.

These were some of the symptoms of fetal distress that a mother should always be aware of. You should speak to your doctor regarding the risk involved with your delivery, if your baby had experienced abnormal heartbeat rate in utero. You should take all the precautions required for a safe pregnancy term and delivery. I hope this article on fetal distress symptoms was an insightful read for you.