Detecting fetal compromise during active labour and managing neonatal after-effects.

Abstract

Evaluating fetal wellbeing during the intrapartum period to detect fetal compromise and hypoxia is a topic of considerable importance to midwives. In part this is because the events during this time can have profound significance for the physical and emotional wellbeing of all those involved, including the infant, mother and midwife. This article explores the ways midwives can detect fetal compromise, what they can do to limit the effects of cerebral hypoxic-ischaemia, and reviews neonatal treatments that,can optimise infant neurological outcome.