The physiology of intrapartum fetal compromise at term
JM Turner, MD Mitchell, SS Kumar - American journal of obstetrics and …, 2020 - Elsevier
Uterine contractions in labor result in a 60% reduction in uteroplacental perfusion, causing
transient fetal and placental hypoxia. A healthy term fetus with a normally developed
placenta is able to accommodate this transient hypoxia by activation of the peripheral
chemoreflex, resulting in a reduction in oxygen consumption and a centralization of
oxygenated blood to critical organs, namely the heart, brain, and adrenals. Providing there is
adequate time for placental and fetal reperfusion between contractions, these fetuses will be …
transient fetal and placental hypoxia. A healthy term fetus with a normally developed
placenta is able to accommodate this transient hypoxia by activation of the peripheral
chemoreflex, resulting in a reduction in oxygen consumption and a centralization of
oxygenated blood to critical organs, namely the heart, brain, and adrenals. Providing there is
adequate time for placental and fetal reperfusion between contractions, these fetuses will be …