Common Signs of Fetal Distress

Having a baby is the most joyful and terrifying time in a woman's life. With all the things to consider when becoming a parent, its hard to think of everything you need to know to have a safe and healthy pregnancy experience. The worst thing that could happen during labor is to be the mother of a stillborn baby. Prevent this by knowing the common signs of fetal distress.

One of the most common signs is your baby not growing at a normal rate. If your baby is diagnosed with having fetal distress, he or she will grow slower than normal. If you feel like your baby is doing this, consult your doctor right away.

Not having a normal heart rate is another common sign of fetal distress. A baby being diagnosed with fetal distress, will have a slower heart rate then those who are not. Pay close attention to what your doctor tells you when you go for your appointments.

Pay close attention to your baby's movements during the first phases of pregnancy. Movement is the fist sign of activity from your baby. This tells you your baby has life. Another great tip is to keep track of how much movement your baby is presenting to you. Keep a diary of this.

After your baby starts to make movements, be sure you notice how often. Keep track of this by writing down the time, date, how often and how much u feel it. Take these records to your doctor and review them. Check and see if these rates are normal.

Growth in the baby means more movement from a variety of parts from the baby's body. Such as feet, arms, legs and etc. Be sure to take note of all of these changes in your diary. A baby usually kicks about ten times within a one hour period. Count any decreases or increases you notice. Consult your doctor immediately.

Meconium being present in the amniotic fluid is another sign of fetal distress. This means the fluid will be either really thick or thin after delivery. This can cause complications, such as a difficult delivery and etc.

Biochemical signs is another sign of fetal distress. This can be caused from now having a healthy diet while being pregnant, drinking alcohol and etc. Prevent this by having a great diet to go by, and steer away from any alcohol products.

Fetal acidosis is caused by lack of oxygen and carbon dioxide. For more information about fetal acidosis visit the link below.
http://fn.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/extract/80/3/F246

Being pregnant is a great time in a woman's life. Don't put your baby in danger in any way. Be sure to take care of yourself, as well as your baby, to keep him or her safe. Consult your doctor if you have any questions.

SOURCES:
http://www.righthealth.com/Health/diabetes-Diseases__and_Causes-Fetal_Distress-s
http://fn.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/extract/80/3/F246