The role of the health care providers is to promote health and help in preservation of life. Pregnant women always seek the help of health care providers because of their condition. Promoting health from conception through adolescence is one of the many roles of our health care providers. Knowledge of growth and development and the health status of their baby are essential to all pregnant women and this is where the use and application of pregnancy instruments and devices such as fetal monitors come into the picture. Despite the fact that science has greatly assisted this care process through the use of fetal monitors, fetal blood pressure cannot be precisely accounted for. On the other hand, in order to break the gap between fetal monitors and fetal blood pressure, a clear and comprehensible understanding of the fetal cardiovascular system is taken into consideration.
Traditionally, prenatal and intrauterine development lasts approximately nine calendar months and pregnancy has been divided into three periods called trimester. Each trimester involves certain indications for development changes in the mother and the fetus. The first trimester is called as the embryonic phase and the second and last trimester is called as the fetal phase. The embryonic phase is the period through which the fertilized ovum develops into an organism with the majority of the features of a human being. This period is believed to cover the first eight weeks of pregnancy. The fetal phase of development is characterized by a period of rapid growth in the size of the fetus. The blood pressure and the health of the mother are one of the few factors that affect its growth. During the fetal development, the embryo or the fetus relies on the maternal blood flow to meet its basic survival needs for development. The health of the mother and the adequate oxygen release is vital for the proper growth and development of the fetus. To meet the fetal demands for oxygen, the pregnant mother gradually increases her normal blood flow, respiratory rate and cardiac output extensively. At the first trimester, the heart of the fetus is positioned outside its body but early on the second trimester it is gradually repositioned on its chest. The circulation of the fetal blood or fetal blood pressure travels from the mothers placenta through her umbilical arteries which carry unoxygenated blood away from the fetus. On the 20th week of pregnancy the fetal heartbeat is now audible through a fetoscope but when a fetal heart Doppler monitor is used, the babys heartbeat can be detected and heard as early as the 10th week of pregnancy. As the tiny fetal heart beats, it pumps blood through the arteries creating the first surges of fetal blood pressure. This fetal blood pressure is from the achievement of two factors. The product of blood running from the heart to the rest of the circulatory system is noted as the first factor and the second one is the outcome of arteries resisting fetal blood pressure. There are three forces that affect the fetal blood pressure and the fetal circulation. First on the list is ductus arteriosus. Ductus arteriosus guards the developing lungs from fetal blood pressure overload. This also strengthens the right ventricle of the heart. For instance, the fetal blood pressure has high pulmonary resistance and low pulmonary blood flow. Second one is the ductus venosus where the fetal blood pressure is regulated via sphincter. The third factor is the foramen ovale which charges the fetal blood pressure from right to left atrium.
As it is stated before, the fetus relies on the maternal blood flow and some other factors for basic survivability. The fetal blood pressure is also mainly significant for its survival. The fetal blood pressure allows blood to flow throughout the whole body of the fetus. Fully development of vital organs needs blood to get sufficient oxygen and nutrients they need. Regardless of the advancement in our technology today, measuring the fetal blood pressure is still of small possibility. So, in order to check the fetal blood pressure and the development of cardiovascular system, fetal heart rate is considered. Normally, fetal heart rate ranges from 120 to 180 beats per minute. The fetal blood pressure rises with each heartbeat and falls when the heart relaxes between beats. The fetal blood pressure also rises when the umbilical cord is compressed and this could be dangerous as it reduces oxygen supply to the fetus. The pattern of fetal heartbeat during labor often reflects the condition of the fetus. The normal pattern is for the fetal heart rate to slow during contractions. As contractions end, the heart rate picks up. Fetal heart rate must be monitored during labor because deviations from this pattern may constitute life or death situation, requiring immediate emergency delivery of the baby. Furthermore, persistent fetal distress may result in permanent brain damage. Due to the importance of defining fetal heart rate patterns, fetal heart monitors are essential during pregnancy and labor. These fetal heart monitors can monitor the fetal heart rate and the strength and duration of uterine contractions although these cannot directly record the fetal blood pressure but only the heart rate of the fetus. In order to avoid pregnancy and delivery complications, as well to maintain a healthy fetal blood pressure, diet is always important. A mother should bear in mind that what she takes into her system, she takes for two people. Nutritional needs and healthy fetal blood pressure are met when the mother eats a well balanced diet containing sufficient calories to meet both her needs and those of the fetus. Adequate folic acids and calcium supplements must be taken by pregnant women to promote healthy fetal blood pressure. Exact dose of calcium and other supplements could have lasting benefits for fetal blood pressure. However, research proves that toddlers whose mothers took calcium supplements during gestation had lower fetal blood pressure. The investigators said that calcium intake may help program fetal blood pressure, possibly persisting into adulthood. According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Daniel C. Hatton of Oregon Health and Science University in Portland, fetal programming can have a lasting influence on adult health, particularly in the cardiovascular system. He further explained that fetal blood pressure tracks into adulthood. Therefore, the study speculates that early differences in fetal blood pressure will persist into adulthood.
Calcium is known to help maintain healthy fetal blood pressure. Some past research has suggested prenatal supplements may have a lasting impact on fetal blood pressure. However, the reason as to why children exposed to prenatal calcium supplements showed lower fetal blood pressure remains unclear but the researchers say that it might be due to the effects on calcium regulating hormones. But it is also advised that pregnant women should take extra precautions and seek the help of their health care providers before taking any pregnancy supplements to benefit healthy fetal blood pressure.
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