Fetal blood sampling
If fetal distress is suspected, your caregiver will tend to respond with keeping a closer eye on things. If the amniotic fluid is meconium stained and / or there is an irregularity of the baby's heart rate (detected through the caregiver listening in at regular intervals), then the baby will usually need to be continuously
monitored on a
CTG machine (either internally, or externally) in the delivery suite.
If the monitoring indicates that the baby is possibly in severe distress (which may, or may not, be correct) the caregiver may give the woman oxygen and turn off the
oxytocin drip (if one is being used). If the baby does not appear to be improving, and the woman's cervix is not fully open, then a
Caesarean will probably be performed. If the woman is in the 2nd stage of the labour (or pushing phase) then possibly a
forceps or
ventouse will be used to deliver the baby faster (than if the woman just pushed). Other possible interventions are discussed in
meconium stained liquor.
Fetal blood sampling
If the woman's cervix is open past about 4 centimetres (but less than 10 cms), sometimes a small blood sample is taken from the scalp of the baby, to look at the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels (and other blood chemistry readings). This is called 'fetal blood sampling' and is usually used with the aim of helping to determine if the baby is actually distressed enough to perform (or delay) a Caesarean. Studies have shown that the use of fetal blood sampling (when available) has contributed to a decrease in unnecessary Caesareans for suspected fetal distress. However, not all birthplaces (and caregivers) will offer this facility, check with your caregiver.
Fetal blood sampling is carried out by the caregiver performing an internal vaginal examination, to estimate how far dilated the woman's cervix is.