A test used during labor and delivery to determine fetal distress. If electronic fetal monitoring indicates signs of fetal distress, fetal blood sampling is used to confirm the diagnosis.
Fetal blood sampling is more accurate than electronic fetal monitoring and doctors measure the acidity of the blood to determine how well the baby is tolerating the stress of labor.
If electronic fetal monitoring indicates that fetal blood sampling is required an instrument is placed through the vagina and a small nick is made in the baby's scalp. A small tube or pipette is used to collect a sample of the fetal blood which is then checked for acidity (pH level). The membranes must have ruptured and the cervix dilated about one inch (2.5 centimeters) in order to perform this test.
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About one percent (1 in 100) babies demonstrate signs of acute distress, with many more displaying less serious symptoms including heart rate abnormalities or the passing of meconiumWaste material that collects in the intestinal tract of the unborn fetus. It is thick and sticky in consistency and varys in color from dark green to black.
It is formed from a variety of substances from amniotic fluid to secretions in the intestinal tracts. The presence of meconium in the amniotic fluid is usually a sign of fetal distress.
After birth the color and consistency of the stool changes with the ingestion of breast milk or formula.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions.. Frequently the problem can be remedied simply by changing the mother's position and removing pressure from the arteries.
There are few, if any, risks associated with this test.
The test is performed if electronic fetal monitoring suggests that the baby is in distress during the second stage of labor. Biochemical testing of the fetal blood to ascertain the acidity (pH level) can help determine whether the baby is in trouble and under stress. The results can help the doctor decide whether labor can continue or a cesarean section is indicated. Fetal blood sampling is not always employed.
The doctor will measure the quantity of lactid acid present in the fetal blood, and depending on the quantity suggest whether a cesarean section is required.
Blood tests reveal an increase in the level of lactic acid if the baby has been deprived of oxygen, although there is evidence to suggest that no long term effects are recorded since the baby is capable of drawing on energy reserves that have been accumulated over the previous weeks. Should the diagnosis of fetal distress be confirmed, an emergency cesarean section will be performed to ensure the safety of the baby.
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