Anoxia at birth, a condition in which a baby is deprived of oxygen, can occur for a number of reasons including umbilical cord compression and maternal sedation. It is a cause for concern because a period of time without oxygen or with inadequate oxygen supplies can lead to brain damage which may have lasting implications for the patient. Care providers move quickly to identify warning signs of anoxia during labor and delivery so they can advise patients on the best care options. At times, this may require a Cesarian section to deliver quickly and get oxygen to a struggling baby.

During labor, drops in blood pressure can contribute to hypoxia, where oxygen saturation are low, and may lead to anoxia at birth. Blood pressure may decline as a result of blood loss or medications. Strong uterine contractions can also be a culprit behind reduced placental oxygen supplies, which may leave the baby oxygen starved.

Another concern is anything that disrupts the placenta while the baby relies on it for oxygen, such as abruption, where it prematurely separates from the uterine wall. If a mother is at risk of placental abruption or there are signs it might be occurring, the care team may recommend an immediate surgical delivery. Prental screening can identify a low-lying placenta that might make delivery challenging.

Another potential cause of anoxia at birth is umbilical cord compression or tangling. Sometimes a baby is delivered with the cord wrapped around the neck, which can cut off oxygen supplies. Once the baby is in the birth canal, handling umbilical cord issues can be challenging and a rapid delivery is necessary to free the baby as quickly as possible.

Failure to clear the baby’s airways can be another contributor to anoxia at birth. During vaginal delivery, forceful contractions usually encourage the baby to expel remaining fluid and mucus and start breathing independently. If this doesn’t occur, care providers may need to suction the airway to help the baby breathe independently. This is also typically necessary in surgical deliveries to get the baby breathing safely and limit the risk of oxygen deprivation.

Care providers can take a number of measures to address anoxia at birth and take this risk very seriously, because it can occur during any delivery and may be very dangerous. They monitor fetuses throughout delivery as well as assessing babies immediately after birth and at regular intervals to identify any signs of problems. Even with a low-risk pregnancy and a very skilled team, low oxygen saturation is a concern.