Fetal hypoxia and green water at delivery

Hypoxia - changes in the body of the developing fetus due to lack of oxygen. This happens in 10.5% of all cases of pregnancy and childbirth.

Lack of oxygen leads to a change in metabolic processes and the violation of certain body functions. The hypoxia that has arisen on different terms of pregnancy has different consequences for the development of the baby. In the early stages of pregnancy, hypoxia leads to defects in development and slowing the growth of the fetus. In later terms, it leads to a slowing of fetal growth, imperfection of the central nervous system, complicates the adaptive capabilities of the newborn.

In themselves, hypoxia and green water do not arise during childbirth. They are the result of chronic and infectious diseases of the mother, diseases of the fetus (congenital malformations, anemia, hemolytic disease, squeezing the head in the process of delivery) and violations in the placental exchange.

What is the manifestation of hypoxia?

If there are green waters during childbirth, then this is considered the first sign of hypoxia. The waters are painted green, because the child experiences great discomfort. His bowel is emptied, the water is mixed with the original feces, which is called meconium, and therefore have a green color.

If the fetal bladder is not opened for a long time, and the delivery is already in progress, green water may also appear during childbirth. After all, the uterus is already open and pushes the baby, the child tries to go further along the birth canal, and the whole bubble stops him. He tries with all his might, again allocating meconium, so the waters turn green. In this case, the bladder is opened with a special tool or the woman is given an episiotomy (cut of the perineum), because the child has already suffered from hypoxia in utero.

How to detect hypoxia?

A change in the baby's motor activity indicates the presence of hypoxia in him. The initial stage is characterized by increased shocks and restlessness of the baby, and heavy - on the contrary, a decrease in the number of movements and a decrease in their strength. Urgently it is necessary to address to the obstetrician-gynecologist if the frequency of the perturbations has dropped to 3 movements per hour! This indicates that the fetus is seriously suffering.

You should be alerted by green discharge during pregnancy. This always indicates an inflammatory process that results from infection. And the infection leads to insufficient intake of oxygen to the fetus. Therefore, you urgently need to see a doctor after seeing a green discharge on your underwear during pregnancy. Too active or, conversely, the rare movements of the fetus are also a dangerous sign. So do not delay the visit to the doctor.

Consequences of hypoxia

Severe hypoxia and green water during childbirth does not pass for the born baby without a trace . Compensating for lack of oxygen, the baby's body increases heart rate, all the organs of the baby work with more force. Vital organs (heart, kidneys, brain) receive, first of all, more oxygen, and the intestine, for example, suffers from hypoxia and therefore meconium is released. But this process has a limit. And sooner or later such protection will weaken and the nervous system of the child, first of all, will suffer.

Green water in childbirth consequences: marked by ischemia and irreversible consequences - necrosis in different organs of the body. Rarely, green waters at birth give rise to consequences for the death of a newborn.

Severe and long hypoxia is a direct indication of caesarean section. Remember that any hypoxia has its beginning in the carrying of the baby, so try to lead the correct way of life and carefully monitor your condition and the state of the baby, you pass all the studies on time, for example, such as uzi and doplerometry.