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Oxygen starvation in the womb. Oxygen starvation of the fetus

Fetal hypoxia, what kind of phenomenon is known to many expectant mothers. Oxygen starvation is a diagnosis that “frightens” many pregnant women. Moreover, this diagnosis is often made unreasonably, and useless treatment is prescribed. Let's decide on how to determine fetal hypoxia, with the help of what studies and guided by what symptoms.

The expectant mother herself can suspect something is wrong from the second half of pregnancy, when she begins to feel the baby's movements. It is necessary to carefully monitor the frequency of movements. There should be at least 10 of them per day, at least 10 series are meant. For example, the child moved for a couple of minutes - this is one episode. Then, an hour later, a couple more minutes - the second episode, etc. There is an opinion that increased perturbation, as well as the so-called "hiccups" of the child - these are the symptoms of fetal hypoxia, but doctors say that, on the contrary, a decrease in the number of perturbations and in general is much more indicative their absence.

If a pathology is suspected, a woman is recommended to perform CTG - this is an absolutely painless procedure in which, using a sensor, the fetal heartbeat is recorded. An experienced specialist who has made a transcript will be able to tell exactly how the child feels. It is customary to do CTG not only during pregnancy and if hypoxia is suspected, but also as a planned procedure during childbirth.

Another way to track the work of the heart and, in general, the blood supply in the placenta and umbilical cord is dopplerography. This procedure is performed on equipment for conventional ultrasound, and lasts approximately the same.

Also, a doctor who listens to it through the abdominal wall with an obstetric stethoscope can also suspect something was wrong with the heart rate. A muffled heartbeat occurs only if the placenta is located along the anterior wall. By heartbeat, you can determine in what position the fetus is in the uterus, whether it is alone there (once in this way, women were diagnosed with multiple pregnancies). The heartbeat begins to be clearly heard through the abdominal wall from the second half of pregnancy. But even at the end of it, you are unlikely to be able to hear the baby’s heartbeat on your own with the help of a phonendoscope. A sharp decrease in heart rate - such signs of fetal hypoxia also have. Fortunately, the doctor listens to the baby's heart every time a woman visits, so a chronic process can be suspected at an early stage.

In addition, doctors pay attention to the findings of ultrasound. Indirectly, placental pathologies can speak of hypoxia - its thickness is too large or, on the contrary, too small for the period, as well as its detachment and premature maturation. With such diagnoses, women are often placed in a hospital for prophylactic purposes.

Also, fetal hypoxia gives symptoms in the case of preeclampsia in the mother, diabetes mellitus, with a strong cough (especially with whooping cough), bronchial asthma, with a long stay in a stuffy room, lying on the back (the vena cava is squeezed), etc.

The consequences of fetal hypoxia vary depending on whether the condition is acute or chronic. Say, with premature maturation of the placenta or a woman smoking during pregnancy, the fetus regularly lacks oxygen, but this lack is not so obvious as to deal a fatal blow. Children who suffer from intrauterine hypoxia for a long time are often born weak, with small stature, weight, even if they are full-term. Acute hypoxia is much more severe. For example, with complete premature detachment of the placenta, the fetus can die from a lack of oxygen in a few minutes. With placental abruption, the relationship between the mother and child organisms is disrupted. In acute hypoxia, an urgent caesarean section is necessary. This is the only way to save the child.

And if it is sometimes impossible to prevent acute fetal hypoxia, then chronic can be successfully dealt with. First, you need to get rid of bad habits and, if possible, be in the fresh air as much as possible. Secondly, regularly visit a doctor and do all the necessary tests and examinations at the right time. Thirdly, make sure that there are enough iron-rich foods in the diet (to avoid iron deficiency anemia, a common cause of chronic fetal hypoxia). And fourthly, do not forget to tell your doctor about your respiratory diseases and other chronic diseases of various body systems, if any.

While in the mother's womb, the baby does not breathe on its own. His lungs will fully work after birth. But the supply of oxygen to the body of the fetus is necessary for the full development. During pregnancy, it is transported from the mother's body through the walls of the placenta, entering the baby's body. At impaired oxygen supply intrauterine fetal hypoxia occurs, the consequences of which are unfavorable if measures are not taken in time.

Fetal hypoxia- this is a deviation during pregnancy, in which there is a lack of oxygen for the development of the unborn child.

When there is insufficient oxygen supply, violation of the proper formation of organs. Also, already formed systems and organs cease to function normally. This condition can be at different stages of pregnancy. There may be complications during childbirth with fetal hypoxia.

With a lack of oxygen during the laying and formation of organs, severe violations of the embryo can be provoked, up to mutilation. In the later stages of gestation and before childbirth, hypoxia will affect the work of the central nervous system of the child, his physical development.

Determine 2 types of fetal hypoxia- acute and chronic.

  • Chronic form develops gradually when the child experiences oxygen starvation for a long time.
  • Acute hypoxia has a sudden development. It usually occurs already during childbirth, but can occur at any time during pregnancy.

Causes of chronic and acute fetal hypoxia

There can be many factors influencing the lack of oxygen supply to the child.

Cause of chronic intrauterine fetal hypoxia can become diseases of the expectant mother:

  • intoxication of the body due to the influence of various factors;
  • diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
  • pathological processes in the lungs;

Other reasons can be:

  • fetal diseases (infections, congenital anomalies, intracranial trauma);
  • prolonged;
  • multiple pregnancy;
  • violation of blood flow due to the limbs, pressing it in the pelvic
  • presentation;
  • mother's stress (during this period, a woman breathes less often, disrupting the full supply of oxygen to the child).

Causes of acute hypoxia:

  • multiple tight wrapping of the umbilical cord around the baby's neck;
  • untimely;
  • transient or prolonged childbirth;
  • uterine rupture;
  • the use of anesthesia during childbirth;
  • prolonged presentation of the head in the small pelvis.

How to determine fetal hypoxia? At the beginning of pregnancy signs of fetal hypoxia are difficult to detect. In the presence of anemia, the specialist can only make an assumption about the lack of oxygen for the fetus. Therefore, in order to detect the first signs of fetal hypoxia during pregnancy, it is necessary to use special studies.

  • - a study that detects the baby's heartbeat. With bradycardia (low heart rate), hypoxia can be assumed.
  • Uzi- diagnostics, which, according to the correspondence of the physical data of the fetus, the state of the placenta, can determine this condition in the child. It is very important to carry out unscheduled examinations in the early stages of pregnancy, especially if the mother has chronic diseases, works in a poorly ventilated room, etc.

In the second half of bearing a child, the woman herself feels the movements of the fetus. It is possible to carry out diagnostics using the “Method 10” method - by counting perceptible movements. There should be at least 10 of them per day. If they appear less frequently, there is cause for concern.

After can be carried out, which may show signs of fetal hypoxia in late pregnancy. Often the results of the examination are false, so it must be taken several times to confirm the result.

Amnioscopy– study of the state of amniotic fluid. In the presence of hypoxia, they become cloudy.

For a more accurate diagnosis, additional blood tests(biochemical, hormonal). They can determine the presence of fat oxidation products, an increase in the number of enzymes that indicate this pathology.

Treatment of fetal hypoxia during pregnancy

With the timely diagnosis of the disease, there is no need for surgical intervention, treatment is carried out. How to treat fetal hypoxia? First you need eliminate the disease of the mother if it caused a lack of oxygen in the fetus.

It is necessary to correct the extragenital pathology of the pregnant woman, normalize the blood circulation of the placenta. Can fetal hypoxia be treated? in outpatient and inpatient settings. It all depends on the severity of the disease.

Women during this period rest, bed rest is necessary. Oxygen therapy and medications are recommended.

  • Drugs to reduce the tone of the uterus: no-shpa, papaverine, brikanil, aminofillin.
  • To restore blood supply: aspirin, reopoliglyukin.
  • To improve the permeability of cells: lipostabil, Essentiale Forte.
  • To restore metabolism: glutamic acid, vitamins C and E, glucose.

If a complex of therapeutic measures for the treatment of fetal hypoxia is ineffective, a decision may be made to urgently resolve childbirth if the fetus is already viable. In chronic hypoxia, cardiac monitoring is used. It allows you to take timely measures for various deviations during childbirth.

If acute hypoxia occurred during childbirth, the baby will need resuscitation. After childbirth, it is recommended to visit a pediatric neurologist and conduct neurosonography to exclude hidden hypoxia in a child.

Consequences of fetal hypoxia for a child

Consequences of acute and chronic hypoxia fruit may be different. Children born with chronic hypoxia are restless, with poor appetite, disruption of the autonomic system.

Consequences of chronic hypoxia:

  • CNS lesions;
  • disorder of physical development;
  • violation of the formation of internal organs;
  • poor adaptation to life outside the womb.

The danger of the acute form of the disease is that it manifests itself instantly. If urgent action is not taken, the child may die.

Consequences of acute hypoxia:

  • the death of nerve cells due to oxygen starvation causes pathologies of the brain, disorders of the mental and mental development of the child;
  • ischemic changes in organs;
  • hemorrhages in internal organs.

Prevention of fetal hypoxia consists of a set of measures that contribute to the prevention of the disease and its consequences.

For this you need:

  • be examined for TORCH infection before a planned pregnancy (rubella, toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus);
  • register at the antenatal clinic before;
  • regularly undergo examination by a gynecologist according to the schedule of visits;
  • carry out in a timely manner;
  • eliminate factors that can subsequently lead to hypoxia;
  • take the necessary tests at the appointed time;
  • observe the daily routine (sleep at least 8 hours, walk in the fresh air);
  • to refuse from bad habits;
  • avoid nervous tension;
  • balanced and eat right.

Video about fetal hypoxia

The video below describes possible causes and signs of fetal hypoxia A. Experienced specialists will talk about the consequences of this deviation during pregnancy.

A pregnant woman, regardless of whether she is at risk, should monitor her health and follow all recommendations. Do you want to endure and give birth to a healthy baby? The answer is obvious. Therefore, it is necessary in every possible way to protect the future baby from oxygen starvation. Healthy children are the key to a healthy future. Share your experience and questions with us!

Fetal hypoxia may appear at different times of intrauterine development and be characterized by varying degrees of oxygen deficiency and consequences for the child's body. Developed in the early stages of pregnancy, it causes malformations and slowing down the development of the embryo. In the later stages, it is accompanied by fetal growth retardation, damage to the central nervous system and a decrease in the adaptive capabilities of the newborn baby.

The lungs of the fetus do not yet work, oxygen enters it through the placenta, which in turn receives it from the body of the woman herself. If this process is disturbed, fetal hypoxia develops. In this regard, there are two main types of hypoxia:

Chronic hypoxia appears during the period of bearing a child and can develop for a long time.

Acute hypoxia may occur during difficult labor.

What is the danger of fetal hypoxia

Minor hypoxia usually does not affect the health of the child, but in severe form, oxygen deficiency can lead to quite dangerous disorders in the functioning of the fetus. The degree of danger depends on the period of its occurrence.

In the early stages of pregnancy, a lack of oxygen leads to a slowdown in the development of the child and the appearance of various anomalies. Already from 6-11 weeks of pregnancy, hypoxia can disrupt the maturation of the brain structures of the embryo, slow down the maturation of the central nervous system and the functioning of blood vessels. All this jeopardizes the normal functioning of the child's brain.

In the later stages, hypoxia leads to a delay in the development of the baby, its growth, affects its nervous system and reduces adaptive abilities in the postpartum period. A child born under conditions of hypoxia may be at risk of various neurological disorders - from minor ones (restless sleep, poor appetite, whims, convulsions) to severe mental developmental disorders and serious somatic abnormalities.

Acute fetal hypoxia can cause premature birth, weakness of labor and even death of the child.

In addition, hypoxia during childbirth is fraught with asphyxia - the inability of the newborn to take the first breath. In some cases, these children may need artificial ventilation.

Causes of fetal hypoxia

Intrauterine fetal hypoxia can be justified by various reasons. This, as a rule, is a consequence of deviations in the body of the woman herself, the fetus or placenta, through which oxygen enters the child.

Pathologies of the mother, which can cause hypoxia:

  • Bad habits. Smoking (including passive smoking) is especially dangerous, since nicotine constricts blood vessels, which means that blood circulation in the body of a pregnant woman is disturbed.
  • Anemia is low hemoglobin. It disrupts the delivery of oxygen to the tissues of the body. Anemia has three degrees of severity, and the severity of possible deviations in the child depends on this.
  • Diseases of the cardiovascular system(congenital or acquired heart disease, myocardial infarction, hypertension). They cause vasospasm, which impairs the blood supply to the fetus.
  • Bronchial asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis and other diseases of the respiratory system. They cause respiratory failure, as a result of which hypoxia develops in the woman herself, and hence in her baby.
  • kidney disease(chronic renal failure, amyloidosis, etc.).
  • Diabetes mellitus and other abnormalities in the endocrine system.
  • Preeclampsia(late severe toxicosis).
  • Frequent stress.


Fetal diseases that cause hypoxia:

  • Congenital malformations.
  • Intrauterine infections(herpetic infection, toxoplasmosis, chlamydia, mycoplasmosis and others).
  • Hemolytic disease- incompatibility of the blood type of mother and child, as a result of which the woman's body considers the fetus a foreign body and tries to reject it.

Directly during childbirth, hypoxia can occur for the following reasons:

  • Incorrect presentation of the fetus (pelvic or oblique).
  • Prolonged squeezing of the head in the birth canal.
  • Multiple births.
  • Pregnancy reversal.
  • Prolapse of the umbilical cord.
  • Repeated and tight entanglement of the child with the umbilical cord.
  • Placental abruption.
  • Weak labor activity.
  • The discrepancy between the width of the birth canal of a woman and the size of the child.

Diagnosis of hypoxia: independent and medical

In the early stages, fetal oxygen deficiency is almost impossible to detect. It can only be assumed by anemia and other diseases of a pregnant woman.

Starting from 18–20 weeks, intrauterine fetal hypoxia can be detected independently. It is manifested by changes in the motor activity of the child. First, his anxiety and increased movement are noted, then, with a longer lack of oxygen, the movements, on the contrary, suspiciously weaken, become lethargic and more rare. Therefore, it is important to monitor the activity of the baby daily. There is a so-called technique 10. In the morning, watch the movements of the crumbs. There should be 10 or more in 12 hours. Not every single movement is meant, but episodes of activity. As a rule, they last 1-2 minutes. If there is less movement, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Modern examination methods help to determine whether the fetus suffers from a lack of oxygen or not. The most important of them are the following:

  • Auscultation- Listening to the baby's heartbeat with a stethoscope. The doctor evaluates the heart rate, rhythm, the presence of noise, heart sounds. At the initial stage, the fetal heart rate increases, the tones are muffled. With prolonged oxygen starvation, the fetal heart rate slows down.
  • Cardiotocography (CTG)- a method for diagnosing the condition of the fetus using a heart monitor, which shows an analysis of the heart rate of the fetus and its motor activity. CTG is performed from 30-32 weeks of pregnancy and can also record uterine contractions. CTG is also done directly during childbirth, since a violation of the child's cardiac activity is the main indicator of hypoxia.
  • Ultrasound examination (ultrasound)- fixes possible delays in the development of the fetus, analyzes its growth, size and weight in accordance with the norms. In addition, ultrasound studies the amniotic fluid, their volume, composition and color, as well as the presence of oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios, which can cause hypoxia.
  • Doppler- studies the nature of blood flow in the vessels of the placenta and umbilical cord, a violation in which may be a sign of oxygen deficiency.
  • Amnioscopy- examination of the fetal bladder using an endoscopic device inserted into the cervical canal. It is used to study the state of amniotic fluid. An admixture of meconium in the amniotic fluid and their greenish color testify in favor of fetal hypoxia.

Immediately after childbirth, the doctor can easily determine the presence of hypoxia in a newly born baby. In this case, the presence of oxygen starvation will indicate:

  • Pale, bluish skin color.
  • Labored breathing.
  • Weak crying and no crying.
  • Weak muscle tone.
  • Weak reflexes.
  • Low heart rate.

Such a child often needs resuscitation assistance.

How is intrauterine fetal hypoxia treated?

Hypoxia does not appear suddenly, regular visits to the doctor leading the pregnancy can prevent or minimize it. It is important that the management of pregnancy is carried out taking into account risk factors and timely monitoring of the condition of the fetus and woman.

The main task of the doctor is, first of all, even in the early stages of pregnancy (and ideally when planning it) to eliminate all the causes that can cause hypoxia. If hypoxia has already been detected, it is possible that a pregnant woman is waiting for treatment in a hospital or at home, if the condition allows. The most important condition in this case is to provide her with complete rest and timely medication.

The main thing that should be directed to the treatment of hypoxia is the restoration of normal blood supply to the fetus. For this, the expectant mother is prescribed bed rest, with a predominant position on the left side (this contributes to a better blood supply to the uterus) and drugs that improve blood flow to the placenta and normalize the metabolism between mother and child, as well as the treatment of underlying diseases due to which hypoxia can to appear.

With a slight hypoxia, most often prescribed:

  • oxygen inhalation.
  • Glucose with ascorbic acid and insulin.
  • Inhalation with alkaline solutions (for example, a solution of baking soda with water or alkaline mineral water).
  • Sessions of stay in the pressure chamber.

With hypoxia, physical activity is very useful for pregnant women. However, if before pregnancy you did not go in for sports, you should not rush to the simulators sharply. Consult a doctor and, if there are no contraindications to activity, choose a moderate load for yourself. Yoga, Pilates, swimming, water aerobics are suitable - all these sports improve blood circulation throughout the body, including in the placenta, from which the amount of oxygen supplied to the baby increases. It is better to attend classes with an instructor who will closely monitor you, taking into account the duration of pregnancy and the corresponding condition.

Prevention of intrauterine fetal hypoxia

Prevention of the development of fetal hypoxia requires a responsible preparation for pregnancy from a woman. Refusal of bad habits, proper nutrition, treatment of diseases of the reproductive system and existing chronic diseases even at the stage of pregnancy planning can minimize the risks of hypoxia.

It is recommended from the very beginning of pregnancy to engage in the prevention of hypoxia. The expectant mother should give up bad habits, lead a healthy lifestyle, avoid overwork, but most importantly, walk as much as possible (if once a day, then at least 2 hours, but if such long walks are not possible, then you can walk a little 2-3 times a day). Walking (ideally outside the city) stimulates the whole body, but it has a particularly positive effect on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Inhaled air improves metabolism in the placenta and reduces the likelihood of hypoxia. In addition to walking, do not forget to regularly ventilate your apartment.

Also, for the prevention of hypoxia, it is very important to monitor the level of iron and the possible occurrence of anemia. To do this, you need to eat right (include iron-containing foods in the diet: beef, buckwheat, etc.) and take the necessary drugs and vitamins as prescribed by the doctor.

In order to prevent the development of acute fetal hypoxia, it is important to choose the right method of delivery. If you are more than 28 weeks pregnant, your doctor may order an emergency caesarean delivery. In addition, childbirth takes place with mandatory cardiac monitoring, which allows you to monitor the condition of the child and, if necessary, change the tactics of childbirth.

A child born with hypoxia may need resuscitation assistance. In the future, children who develop under conditions of hypoxia should be especially carefully observed by a neurologist, who prescribes a course of treatment, physiotherapy exercises, massage, sedatives, etc.

The main thing to remember: your health is the health of your unborn child. Take care of yourself and carefully monitor your condition and the condition of the baby growing inside you!

Vulnerabilities

The nervous system is one of the most oxygen-dependent, and if the growing fetus does not have enough oxygen, it first of all affects the nervous tissue. At the same time, while the child's body intensively supplies oxygen to the nervous system and heart, other organs suffer - the lungs, gastrointestinal tract, skin, etc. Therefore, with prolonged hypoxia, pathologies of almost all organs of the fetus are possible.

Many people know about the dangers and consequences of intrauterine fetal hypoxia, so the fear of hearing such a diagnosis is fully justified. Any expectant mother can panic, imagining that her baby does not have enough oxygen. But is it all that scary? What signs indicate fetal hypoxia and is it possible to prevent this phenomenon?

Fetal hypoxia and its forms

The baby during fetal development receives oxygen from the mother's blood through the placenta. If its intake is disturbed, then fetal hypoxia occurs, which negatively affects the formation and development of its organs and systems, as well as the general condition of the baby.

Quite often, oxygen starvation is associated with fetoplacental insufficiency - a phenomenon that characterizes the occurrence of disturbances in the structure and functioning of the placenta. As a result, feeding and breathing of the fetus is complicated.

A small short-term hypoxia is usually not dangerous for the fetus. But prolonged or acute lack of oxygen can lead to irreversible consequences.
Alcohol consumption leads to the development of chronic fetal hypoxia

Hypoxia can occur throughout pregnancy:

  • in the first months, oxygen starvation usually causes disturbances in the formation of important organs in the fetus (most often the nervous system);
  • in the later stages, the lack of oxygen also adversely affects the development of the baby and often leads to the need for a caesarean section long before the appointed date;
  • oxygen starvation can develop during childbirth. If hypoxia is prolonged, it poses a serious danger to the life and health of the child. In severe form, this is asphyxia, that is, strangulation of the fetus.

There are forms of hypoxia:

  • chronic - occurs with a prolonged lack of oxygen in the fetus. It can be provoked by severe toxicosis, impaired functioning of the placenta, smoking and alcohol consumption by the mother, etc. Hypoxia develops gradually, intensifying over time;
  • acute lack of oxygen occurs as a result of complications in late pregnancy and during childbirth. Oxygen starvation occurs abruptly and develops rapidly. Treatment is most often not possible. An urgent delivery is required.

Reasons for the development of pathology

The causes of chronic hypoxia include:

  • fetoplacental insufficiency (impaired functioning of the placenta);
  • intrauterine infections and fetal malformations;
  • multiple pregnancy;
  • smoking and drinking alcohol;
  • acute and chronic diseases of the internal organs of the mother;
  • low hemoglobin in a pregnant woman;
  • diabetes;
  • severe toxicosis;
  • experiencing stress;
  • abnormal presentation of the fetus.

 Cord entanglement can provoke acute fetal hypoxia

Acute hypoxia can lead to:

  • increased tone of the uterus;
  • placental abruption;
  • uterine rupture;
  • cord entanglement;
  • weak generic activity;
  • rapid birth.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

It is extremely difficult to detect hypoxia in the first months of pregnancy. Only a few objective factors (low hemoglobin, diabetes, smoking, etc.) can suggest its presence.

A reliable diagnosis can be made after 18 weeks of pregnancy, when the fetus begins to move in the uterus. The greatest suspicion is caused by a change in his motor activity, a rapid or slow heartbeat.

The expectant mother needs to pay attention to the following manifestations:

  • prolonged absence of baby movements;
  • increased activity of the fetus (frequent movements);
  • change in the nature of the motor activity of the child. For example, the movements were rare, and then suddenly became more frequent. Or, on the contrary, the baby was actively moving, and then suddenly stopped.

In all of these cases, you should immediately consult a doctor.
CTG is performed several times during the 3rd trimester of pregnancy and during childbirth

Diagnostic methods

Hypoxia is diagnosed using the following methods:

  • Ultrasound - performed after 18 weeks of pregnancy;
  • CTG (cardiotocography) - is carried out after 30 weeks of pregnancy and in childbirth and consists in recording and analyzing the heart rate of the fetus in motion, at rest, during contractions;
  • dopplerometry - is a type of ultrasound diagnostics and is carried out after 18 weeks of pregnancy in the direction of a doctor. The intensity of blood flow in the vessels of the fetus, uterus and placenta is assessed;
  • amnioscopy - is carried out in the later stages (after 37 weeks) by introducing a special device - an amnioscope - through the cervix. The method allows you to assess the state of amniotic fluid (quantity, color and the presence of impurities in them) and the fetal bladder.

Indicators that indicate oxygen deficiency:

  • the fetus is smaller in size and weight than the norm characteristic of a given gestational age, which indicates a developmental delay;
  • polyhydramnios or oligohydramnios;
  • violation of the fetal heartbeat;
  • violation of blood flow in the vessels of the uterus, placenta and umbilical cord;
  • the color of the amniotic fluid is green, it contains meconium (usually diagnosed during childbirth).

Consequences of oxygen starvation of the fetus

Acute hypoxia is more dangerous because it develops rapidly. In the absence of measures to eliminate it, with a high degree of probability, suffocation and death of the fetus may occur.

Other dangerous consequences of acute oxygen deficiency include:

  • death of nerve cells and pathological changes in the tissues of the brain, which leads to a lag in intellectual and speech development;
  • hemorrhage in various organs.

Consequences of chronic hypoxia:

  • miscarriage;
  • premature birth;
  • developmental delay before and after birth;
  • violation of the respiratory system of the baby;
  • diseases of the nervous system;
  • metabolic disorder in a child;
  • difficulties in adapting the newborn to living conditions.

Video: lecture on hypoxia and its consequences

Prediction of the consequences of oxygen starvation of a child

The consequences of hypoxia are diagnosed during childbirth using the Apgar scale. If the child's condition is estimated from 4 to 6 points in the first minute and 8 points or more - in the fifth minute, then this indicates an average severity of oxygen deficiency. Lower ratings can have severe consequences.

In the first years of life, the baby may appear:

  • hyperactivity;
  • neurological diseases;
  • lag in growth, weight and development of cognitive processes;
  • mental disorders, etc.

For treatment, special massage, physical education, and medications are prescribed. Most often, with careful observation and proper treatment, the health of the child improves during the first year of life.

How is hypoxia treated?

Depending on the degree and causes of hypoxia, treatment can be carried out both in a hospital and on an outpatient basis. Measures are being taken to improve blood circulation in the placenta, reduce the tone of the uterus, and enhance metabolic processes.

The expectant mother needs to make adjustments to her lifestyle:

  • reduce emotional stress and physical activity (less intensively engage in labor activity, take breaks more often);
  • daily for 2-3 hours to spend time in the fresh air;
  • it is recommended to do breathing exercises, yoga, water aerobics, swimming.

If the measures taken are ineffective and hypoxia persists, then early delivery is indicated (for a period of more than 28 weeks).

With prolonged hypoxia, medications are prescribed:

  • vitamins E, C, B6;
  • Eufillin;
  • Ginipral and others.

In a situation of acute oxygen deficiency, glucose, insulin, calcium gluconate, etc. are often administered, oxygen is inhaled using a mask.

Photo gallery: drugs for the treatment of oxygen deficiency in the fetus

Curantil is a drug used to improve blood circulation Actovegin is a drug with an antihypoxic effect that activates the delivery and absorption of oxygen and glucose by cells of various organs and tissues Trental improves blood microcirculation
Ginipral - a drug to relax the myometrium of muscle tissue and reduce pressure in the uterine cavity
No-Shpa is used to relax the smooth muscles of the uterus

Throughout pregnancy, the expectant mother lives in the hope that her baby will be born healthy. But sometimes something goes wrong, and the incomprehensible diagnosis of "hypoxia", made to the baby even before the birth, completely knocks the woman out of balance. However, in most cases, the help of qualified specialists, adequate treatment and the confident attitude of the mother can direct the development of the situation in a positive direction. Read about the symptoms, consequences and prevention of fetal hypoxia in the article.

The term "hypoxia" means oxygen deficiency, respectively, the diagnosis of "fetal hypoxia of the fetus" indicates that the unborn child is in dire need of this valuable gas. The baby’s respiratory organs, which are in the growth stage, have nowhere to get oxygen from, and if they have managed to form by the time hypoxia develops, they are not able to fully function.

Intrauterine fetal hypoxia is a severe pathology, which, under certain circumstances, manifests itself not only in the first trimester, but also on the eve of childbirth. Moreover, the lack of oxygen sometimes becomes a real obstacle to a successful delivery.

Fetal hypoxia: types

The features of the course of the pathological condition gave reason to divide it into two types.

Chronic fetal hypoxia

Under this diagnosis, the prolonged existence of the fetus in conditions of oxygen deficiency is hidden. Such a condition develops if, for some reason, the pregnant woman did not register on time (and, of course, was deprived of medical supervision) or due to untimely detection and treatment of the pathology. In this state, the fetus can be for several days, weeks or months.

The consequences of this type of hypoxia for the fetus at the beginning of gestation are all kinds of disorders in the laying of organ systems, as well as a delay in the formation of the embryo as a whole. Chronic violation in late pregnancy threatens with even more dangerous complications for the baby. Among them:

  • serious disorders of the central nervous system;
  • anomalies of physical ontogenesis;
  • growth retardation;
  • low ability to adapt to the outside world in a newborn;
  • refusal to eat, anxiety and nervous system disorders in an infant.

Acute fetal hypoxia

This type of disorder is characterized by sudden development and can occur during the period of gestation, as well as during labor. This disturbance cannot be corrected by therapeutic interventions as it lasts only a few minutes or a limited number of hours. The pregnant woman will immediately have an emergency delivery, otherwise the consequences of such fetal hypoxia for the child are the most unfavorable - the slightest delay will cost him his life. Acute and prolonged lack of oxygen irreversibly suppresses the activity of the fetal brain and becomes the result of intrauterine asphyxia.

Even if the baby is removed on time, there will be no full confidence in the good state of his health. Sometimes the consequences of hypoxia and asphyxia of the fetus leave the child for 5-6 years of his life. In other cases, a complex of internal disorders due to hypoxia makes the child dependent on constant treatment for the rest of his life.

What is the danger of fetal hypoxia

Pathology can cause all kinds of diseases in a child. We list the most serious and severe consequences of pathology:

  1. Cardinal disorders in the area of ​​the brain.
  2. Accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the brain.
  3. Dropsy of the brain.
  4. Epilepsy.
  5. Anomalies in the development of internal organs.
  6. Hemorrhage in the brain.
  7. Cerebral palsy.

Intrauterine fetal hypoxia during pregnancy, in an unfortunate set of circumstances, dooms children to disability, mental retardation and poor ability to adapt in society.

Causes of fetal hypoxia

There are many factors that can somehow "block" the access of a valuable substance to the fetus. To initiate chronic hypoxia can:

  • diseases of a woman related to the respiratory, hematopoietic and cardiovascular systems;
  • pathologies of fetal development (infections, incompatibility with the mother by Rhesus blood);
  • pathological location of the umbilical cord (for example, it fell out, squeezed due to the presentation of the fetus, tied into a knot), which disrupts blood flow;
  • severe and prolonged course of toxicosis;
  • excessive volume of amniotic fluid;
  • pregnancy with two or more fetuses;
  • delayed pregnancy;
  • stay of a pregnant woman in stressful conditions;
  • depression in the expectant mother (being depressed, the woman breathes less often, so the baby does not breathe enough with her);
  • tight umbilical cord around the neck of the child;
  • placental abruption, rapid or too long labor;
  • inappropriate anesthesia during childbirth.

Hypoxia of the fetus and newborn

The dangerous factors that we discussed above can cause not only internal disturbance, but also asphyxia of the baby at the time of birth. A newborn baby is considered within 7 days after birth. Now all the organs of a small person undergo the so-called strength test. If the mother was diagnosed with hypoxia before the birth of the baby, the same trouble can await the baby after birth.

When a child suffocates in the mother's womb, he tries with all his might to make up for this deficit, so he begins to breathe through the hole in the glottis. Consequently, foreign substances penetrate there in the form of mucus, blood and amniotic fluid, which during childbirth will clog the child's respiratory organs and cause asphyxia - simply put, they will suffocate the baby. That is why such children are watched very closely in the first days of their life.

By severity, fetal hypoxia is divided into moderate and severe. The condition of the child is assessed after birth, focusing on the standard indicators of the Apgar scale. The scale consists of five indicators, each of which is rated from 0 to 2 points.

When the baby was just born, his condition is immediately subjected to a general assessment, and after 5 minutes they are examined again. If the child "gains" from 8 to 10 points, he is considered healthy, that is, he did not have hypoxia during childbirth. A score of 4 - 7 points indicates moderate hypoxia, and indicators within 0 - 3 points give doctors reason to talk about severe hypoxia and suffocation of the newborn.

Symptoms of fetal hypoxia

It is impossible to diagnose fetal hypoxia in early pregnancy without special equipment (Doppler and ultrasound) - the fetus is still very small, so it cannot “tell” the mother how bad it is.

Regular and unscheduled examinations become an effective way out of the situation. The reason for visiting the antenatal clinic is the chronic diseases of a pregnant woman and her unsatisfactory state of health.

As the tummy increases, the mother should take constant control of the baby's movement. The technique of 10 movements will help a woman to suspect the development of pathology on her own. It consists in the following: waking up in the morning, the mother begins to count how many times her baby moves during the day. The movements are divided into series and there should be at least 10 such series per day. For example, you feel the baby “knocking” inside and this continues for 1-2 minutes - this is the first series, after a while the movements are repeated - the second series and so on. If there are less than 10 such series, this is a clear sign of fetal hypoxia.

Turbidity of the amniotic fluid indicates acute intrauterine hypoxia, which is determined using laboratory analysis.

How to determine fetal hypoxia

The basis of all effective diagnostic methods is a complete examination of the expectant mother by a doctor during a scheduled or unscheduled examination. The gynecologist will listen to the fetal heartbeat and determine its frequency. The slow heartbeat of the crumbs is a reason for an additional examination.

To study the baby's heart rate more accurately, they use the method of cardiotocography - ECG for the fetus.

Signs of fetal hypoxia according to CTG are:

  • the number of heartbeats is reduced or absent altogether;
  • too frequent heartbeat of the child against the background of his own stirring and involuntary uterine tone.

Another effective diagnostic method of hypoxia is intrauterine (Doppler) ultrasound, which evaluates the overall picture of blood flow in the uterus. Also, the diagnostician will certainly testify to fetal hypoxia on a conventional ultrasound if it detects abnormalities in the development of the placenta, its too rapid formation or aging, excessively thin or thick walls.

In addition, the presence of hypoxia will help confirm blood tests. The pathology will be indicated by a high level of enzymes in the blood, fat oxidation products, etc.

Treatment of fetal hypoxia

You can hope to get rid of the pathology if the oxygen deficiency was detected in a timely manner and the patient has no indications for emergency delivery through a caesarean section.

What to do with fetal hypoxia worries every pregnant woman who has heard such a diagnosis. The mother is required to be calm and willing to cooperate with the attending physician in everything. To begin with, doctors will try to block the influence of the disease or condition of the mother, which was the impetus for the development of complications.

The severity of oxygen starvation depends on what the treatment will be - inpatient or outpatient. The main points of the therapeutic program are the following conditions:

  1. Calmness and bed rest.
  2. Taking medications that stimulate the unhindered access of oxygen to the child.
  3. Drinking oxygenated water.

Fetal hypoxia and childbirth

Fetal hypoxia can manifest itself not only in late pregnancy, but also directly during childbirth. At the birth of a child, doctors regularly evaluate the nature of his heartbeat. A cause for concern is the development of an increase or slowdown in cardiac activity.

The severity of bradycardia and tachycardia during childbirth may vary. At the beginning of labor, oxygen deficiency in the fetus is indicated by bradycardia of about 100 beats per minute, and in the second period - 98 beats. With hypoxia, as a reaction to each contraction, a decrease in the frequency of heart beats up to 50 times per minute is observed.

How to avoid fetal hypoxia

The responsibility for the likelihood of intrauterine oxygen starvation in a child lies largely with his mother. In order not to face such a serious complication during pregnancy, a woman should lead the most correct lifestyle. Let us briefly list the main measures to prevent fetal hypoxia during pregnancy. Briefly, because you most likely will not learn anything new - everyone knows about the rules of a healthy lifestyle. So, the expectant mother needs:

  • give up bad habits once and for all (for example, forget what cigarettes are);
  • spend a lot of time outdoors. Remember that the ideal place for walking is away from busy trails;
  • make a healthy and balanced diet with the indispensable presence of iron-containing foods;
  • come to all scheduled examinations, as well as attend an unscheduled antenatal clinic if something bothers you;
  • inform the gynecologist about all chronic diseases;
  • monitor the quality of your breathing. If any alarming signs appear (for example, shortness of breath), immediately consult a doctor for an explanation of the situation;
  • with the permission of the doctor, master the complex of respiratory gymnastics and regularly perform it;
  • get enough sleep and enough rest during the day.

No matter how strange it may sound, but during pregnancy a woman should think and take care not about the baby growing inside her, but about herself. The future mother, in fact, is a mirror that projects all the features of her well-being onto the fetus. The healthier a woman is, the more favorable conditions her baby will have for growth and development. Be healthy!