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What Are the Causes of Anoxia at Birth?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

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 Cesarean section to deliver the baby 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 cause of reduced placental oxygen supplies, which may leave the baby oxygen starved.

During labor, drops in blood pressure can contribute to hypoxia, where oxygen saturation are low, and may lead to anoxia at birth.
During labor, drops in blood pressure can contribute to hypoxia, where oxygen saturation are low, and may lead to anoxia at birth.

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.

An umbilical cord is a thick, blood-rich cord that connects a baby to its mother during the gestation process.
An umbilical cord is a thick, blood-rich cord that connects a baby to its mother during the gestation process.

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 its oxygen supply. 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.

Warning signs of anoxia may prompt a C-section to deliver the baby quickly.
Warning signs of anoxia may prompt a C-section to deliver the baby quickly.

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.

Inadequate oxygen supplies at birth can lead to brain damage.
Inadequate oxygen supplies at birth can lead to brain damage.

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.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

bluedolphin

@burcidi-- Hypoxia is when the body is deprived of oxygen. Anoxia is the more severe form of hypoxia when the body doesn't get any oxygen. Asphyxia is when the body is deprived of oxygen due to being unable to breathe. Asphyxia doesn't apply to birth because the infant is not using his or her lungs in the womb. But both hypoxia and anoxia are possible at birth and may have serious consequences on the baby, even leading to birth.

My daughter had anoxia for a very brief period because the umbilical cord tangled around her neck during birth. Thankfully it came undone soon after and everything turned out fine. I was extremely worried though. I consider her birth and health a miracle.

burcidi

What's the difference between anoxia, hypoxia and asphyxia? I hear these terms all the time and I know that they're all about deprivation of oxygen. I'm just confused about what the differences are. Are all three possible at birth?

ysmina

If an infant experiences temporary anoxia at birth, will there be any signs or symptoms of it afterward?

My sister's son has some developmental delays and they can't figure out the cause. A doctor friend thinks that the cause might be temporary anoxia at birth. Is this really possible?

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    • During labor, drops in blood pressure can contribute to hypoxia, where oxygen saturation are low, and may lead to anoxia at birth.
      By: Monkey Business
      During labor, drops in blood pressure can contribute to hypoxia, where oxygen saturation are low, and may lead to anoxia at birth.
    • An umbilical cord is a thick, blood-rich cord that connects a baby to its mother during the gestation process.
      By: massimo maghenzani
      An umbilical cord is a thick, blood-rich cord that connects a baby to its mother during the gestation process.
    • Warning signs of anoxia may prompt a C-section to deliver the baby quickly.
      By: Anton Booysen
      Warning signs of anoxia may prompt a C-section to deliver the baby quickly.
    • Inadequate oxygen supplies at birth can lead to brain damage.
      By: Patricia Marks
      Inadequate oxygen supplies at birth can lead to brain damage.
    • Forceful contractions during delivery typically encourage the baby to expel fluid from the lungs and to begin breathing independently.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Forceful contractions during delivery typically encourage the baby to expel fluid from the lungs and to begin breathing independently.
    • Blood pressure may decline as a result of blood loss or medications.
      By: Kurhan
      Blood pressure may decline as a result of blood loss or medications.