Fetal hypoxia occurs with a constant shortage of oxygen delivered to the tissues and organs of the fetus. According to statistics, chronic fetal hypoxia occurs in 10.5% of pregnant women. Chronic hypoxia develops gradually, so the fetus manages to adapt to the constant shortage of oxygen.
Fetal hypoxia - causes
The cause of chronic hypoxia may be anemia of the pregnant woman, extragenital pathology (cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, chronic intoxication, etc.) and a violation of uteroplacental blood flow (due to pre-eclampsia, rhesus-factor conflict or blood group, perenashivanii). Clinical symptoms of chronic fetal hypoxia are changes in the frequency of fetal movements; in the beginning they become more frequent, and at increase of oxygen starvation and exhaustion of compensatory mechanisms of a fruit become less often. Reducing the number of movements to 3 in an hour means that the fetus suffers and the woman needs to immediately consult a doctor. Carrying out such studies as cardiotocography and dopplerometry help to clarify the diagnosis.
How to prevent fetal hypoxia?
To avoid the consequences caused by a chronic lack of oxygen, you need to eliminate the cause. With compensated conditions of cardiovascular, respiratory and excretory systems, pre-eclampsia of mild degree, anemia of 1 degree, treatment can be at home. With subcompensated and decompensated conditions, hospital treatment is strongly recommended.
Chronic fetal hypoxia - consequences
With a slight oxygen starvation, the fetus's organism is capable of forming adaptation mechanisms by increasing the heart rate to 150-160 beats per minute, increasing the oxygen capacity of the blood, the special structure of hemoglobin, and increasing metabolism. A significant permanent lack of oxygen can lead to a delay in fetal development of the fetus, damage to the cardiovascular and nervous systems.