Oxygen in the blood in pregnant women

Fetal hypoxia is a dangerous pathological process characterized by reduced oxygen supply to the fetus.

Hypoxia occurs due to atypical processes occurring in the female body. The time of formation, course and intensity of symptoms directly affect the development and general health of the child. Treatment of hypoxia must be carried out as early as possible so that the disease does not cause irreparable consequences.

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

Intrauterine fetal hypoxia

The causes of intrauterine fetal hypoxia are various pathologies occurring in the maternal body, as well as unfavorable environmental factors. Hypoxia can occur due to diseases:

• hypertension
• diabetes
• heart disease
• preeclampsia and eclampsia
• chronic bronchitis or bronchial asthma
• various kidney diseases

Intrauterine causes of hypoxia:

• damage to the integrity of the uterus
• prolonged compression of the child’s head and neck during childbirth
• complication of the baby’s passage through the birth canal, most often due to large volumes or incorrect position of the baby
• increase in amniotic fluid volume
• pregnancy with two, three or more fetuses
• intrauterine infection of a child
• obstruction of the birth canal from the uterus by the placenta
• wrapping the umbilical cord around the baby's neck
• disruption of blood flow in the placenta

In addition, external factors :

• poor ecology and high air pollution in the place where the expectant mother lives
• taking a large number of medications
• chemical poisoning
• abuse of alcohol, nicotine or drugs by a woman during pregnancy

Treatment of hypoxia after childbirth

Hypoxia during childbirth has minimal consequences for the child if help is provided professionally. The set of measures to properly eliminate oxygen starvation includes the following measures:

• Restoring the normal functioning of the respiratory system - clearing remaining mucus from the mouth and nasal passages;
• Warming a newborn;
• Administration of drugs that stimulate blood circulation and respiration;
• Oxygen mask. It is used in cases where the above measures did not restore breathing.

In case of severe hypoxia, the baby is placed in a pressure chamber - a device into which oxygen is supplied under pressure. Additionally, the child is given medications that stimulate brain activity, breathing and heart function. Sedatives and medications that normalize metabolic reactions, and anticonvulsants, if necessary, are also needed.

In case of mild pathology, after recovery the baby is discharged home. But the baby must be under the supervision of a neurologist; he is also recommended physical therapy, massage courses, and daily walks.

Children with severe oxygen deprivation first undergo long-term treatment in a perinatal center. Subsequently, they need repeated courses of therapy that include, in addition to medications, physiotherapeutic procedures, and physical therapy. Such children need to create a calm environment at home; aromatherapy and herbal baths with soothing herbs are useful. The baby's condition quickly improves if the parents follow all the doctor's recommendations and feed the baby correctly. Along with nutrition, the baby should receive all the vitamins necessary for the development of the nervous system. Children with hypoxia especially need vitamins from group B, ascorbic acid, vitamin A, and microelements.

Degrees of fetal hypoxia

Based on the rate of progression, hypoxia is divided into:

• short-term, i.e. occurs quickly and unexpectedly
• moderate severity – expressed directly during childbirth
• acute – signs of the disease are observed several days before the upcoming birth
• chronic fetal hypoxia - it appears with severe toxicosis, incompatibility of blood groups or Rh factors of the mother and child, intrauterine infections of the fetus.

according to the time of occurrence :

• formed in the first months of pregnancy
• in the second half of the allotted time
• during childbirth
• occurs very rarely after childbirth.

Classification

Oxygen deficiency during pregnancy, depending on the characteristics of the pathological condition, is divided into two types.

• Chronic fetal hypoxia - with this development of pathology, the fetus exists in conditions of lack of oxygen for a long time. As a rule, this condition develops if the pathology was not detected in time. This condition in the first stages of pregnancy can lead to disturbances in the formation of organs and systems of the fetus and a general delay in the formation of the embryo. In the later stages, chronic hypoxia leads to abnormalities in physical development, central nervous system disorders, growth retardation, and low adaptability of the newborn to the outside world.
• Acute fetal hypoxia develops suddenly and can occur both during intrauterine development and during labor. Lasts several minutes or hours. Acute hypoxia is an indication for emergency delivery, since the consequences for the child can be unfavorable and even threaten his life. , brain hypoxia develops . The effects of this can last for several years, and sometimes treatment is required for the rest of your life.

Symptoms of fetal hypoxia

Hypoxia is quite difficult to determine, since it can appear suddenly. But it is very important to diagnose hypoxia in the early stages, because this will allow you to quickly begin treatment and avoid consequences.

The main symptom of fetal hypoxia is a slow heartbeat , but this cannot be noticed at home. The first sign to consult a doctor is a change in the intensity of fetal kicks . Every woman feels movement, but if the child makes itself felt less than three times a day, you should immediately contact a specialist, because this indicates chronic intrauterine fetal hypoxia.

The acute form, which occurs suddenly, is characterized by completely opposite signs - the child is too active, pushing hard.

Signs of fetal hypoxia in the first three months of pregnancy are very difficult to determine, so it would be better for the woman and the fetus to be examined by a doctor weekly.

What consequences can a lack of oxygen in the blood have in a pregnant woman?

The consequences of hypoxia depend on the duration and time of manifestation. In the first trimester, it can cause fetal growth retardation. Internal organs form late, which can lead to internal defects. Chronic hypoxia can cause acute asphyxia and even fetal death.

A lack of oxygen in the blood of a pregnant woman can cause placental abruption, placenta previa, and preeclampsia. These are very serious diagnoses, dangerous for both mother and child. Treatment in this case is carried out exclusively in a hospital setting.

Consequences of fetal hypoxia

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

Complications of chronic fetal hypoxia can include:

• disorders of the development and formation of internal organs, bones and brain of the fetus
• intracellular edema
• internal hemorrhages
• delayed fetal development

For a newborn child, the consequences are no less serious:

• changes in the structure and structure of some internal organs; hemorrhages
• inability to independently perform 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 child during the first week of life.

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;
• incorrect presentation of the fetus.

Umbilical cord entanglement can provoke acute fetal hypoxia.
Acute hypoxia can lead to:

• increased uterine tone;
• placental abruption;
• uterine rupture;
• umbilical cord entanglement;
• weak labor activity;
• rapid birth.

How to determine fetal hypoxia

Determining fetal hypoxia starting from the fifth month of pregnancy is not difficult. It is much more difficult to do this in the first 3 months, but the earlier 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, the transparency, color and amount of amniotic fluid is assessed
• Doppler ultrasound, which allows you to track the speed of blood flow in the umbilical cord and placenta
• Ultrasound
• CTG
• listening to heart rate through a stethoscope
• monitoring the intensity of fetal movements

Treatment of fetal hypoxia

At the first manifestation of symptoms of fetal hypoxia, a pregnant woman is immediately hospitalized. The first thing treatment is aimed at is stabilizing the oxygen supply to the fetus and reducing the tone of the uterus. To do this, the patient is prescribed strict bed rest and medications that will improve oxygen permeability and metabolism. Oxygen therapy and hyperbaric oxygenation (pressure chamber) are also often prescribed, which increases 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, the woman can perform gymnastics, various breathing exercises, and attend aqua gymnastics. If no measures to normalize the supply of oxygen to the fetus have had the desired effect or symptoms of fetal hypoxia persist for more than twenty-eight weeks of pregnancy, it is best to immediately perform a cesarean section. In case of acute hypoxia, a newborn child requires the help of a resuscitator.

Development and course of fetal hypoxia

Many factors contribute to the development of fetal hypoxia. These may be diseases of the mother, such as: cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, anemia, intoxication and others. These may also be disturbances of the fetal-placental blood flow: gestosis, post-maturity, risk of premature birth, pathologies of the placenta and umbilical cord, various anomalies of labor.

These may also be diseases of the fetus itself :

• hemolytic disease,

• anemia,

• infection,

• congenital malformations,

• prolonged compression of the head during childbirth.

Mechanisms of development of fetal hypoxia:

• Impaired oxygen supply to the uterus.

• Decreased metabolic functions of the placenta.

• Hemoglobin deficiency in the mother's body.

• Cardiovascular diseases.

• Impaired blood flow.

Prevention of fetal hypoxia

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

• choose the right way to give birth to a child. A caesarean section is less likely to cause fetal hypoxia than a natural birth.
• timely treatment of diseases that accompany pregnancy
• avoid strong physical exertion, only breathing exercises
• get enough rest
• rationalize your diet by consuming plenty of vitamins and calcium
• lead a healthy lifestyle, give up alcohol, nicotine and drugs
• be regularly observed at the antenatal clinic
• register with an obstetrician-gynecologist on time
• plan pregnancy and carefully prepare for it, through examination by doctors, treatment of chronic, infectious or gynecological diseases

There are many studies related to the treatment of fetal hypoxia. One of them is the use of barotherapy in the treatment of fetal hypoxia.

Hypoxia symptoms in a child

Chronic fetal hypoxia, the consequences for the child are not always noticeable to the mother immediately after birth.
But neonatologists (pediatricians in the maternity hospital) must see the slightest changes in the functioning of the baby’s body. You can suspect a lack of oxygen in a newborn based on the following signs:

• Pale skin, in severe cases cyanosis appears (blueness of the area near the mouth and lips);
• Weakened breathing or lack of respiratory activity;
• A weak cry;
• Decreased muscle tone;
• Bradycardia (decreased heart rate). Normally, a newborn's heart rate should be more than 100 beats per minute;
• Decreased reflexes or their complete absence.

The color of the amniotic fluid also indicates oxygen starvation. Normally it is transparent, but in pathological processes it is greenish or even mixed with meconium, the original feces of infants.

All of the above signs can only be accurately determined by a doctor. But attentive mothers may notice some symptoms of hypoxia:

• Periodic trembling of the chin;
• Restless baby's sleep;
• Body twitching when changing position;
• Frequent interruption of sucking during feeding or the baby crying at this time.

Without treatment, hypoxia in a child 2 months and older can lead to delayed psychomotor development, epilepsy, hyperactivity, vegetative-vascular dystonia, and hydroencephalopathy.