Management of pregnancies complicated by reduced fetal metabolic reserve

Abstract

During labor, the obstetrician's role is to prevent maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. High on the list of potential complications is intrapartum fetal acidemia leading to asphyxia. Factors that increase the risk of acidemia and poor fetal outcome include conditions that had affected the fetus prior to labor such as: intrauterine growth restriction, oligohydramnios and placental abruption. Recent advances in the antepartum assessment of fetal and placental reserve provide us with a better ability to predict the fetal tolerance of labor and delivery. Using this information helps to decrease the risk of intrapartum fetal injury and death.