Oxygen Deprivation in a Hospital

The human body requires a certain level of oxygen to survive. When oxygen levels fall too low, there is a risk of brain damage. Infants who are deprived of oxygen immediately before, during or after birth can develop serious birth defects. These complications range from spinal malformations to life-threatening heart abnormalities. Brain damage that leaves a child mentally retarded is likely, and infants who are deprived of oxygen for too long will not survive.

One of the most common causes of oxygen deprivation involves the umbilical cord. If the cord comes twisted or compressed during labor because of how the fetus is positioned in utero, then oxygen to the fetus may be cut off. The umbilical cord may also become wrapped around the fetuses neck either in the uterus or while the baby is traveling through the birth canal. Many hospitals now use monitors on both mother and child to detect if either is in distress. When the infant is in danger of oxygen deprivation, the doctors may decide to use operative delivery methods. These include the use of forceps, vacuum extraction or a cesarean section to attempt a safe delivery.