In which fetal blood vessels is the oxygen content the highest?

In utero, the most oxygenated blood with oxygen saturation around 75\% to 85\% flows from the umbilical vein through the ductus venosus to the inferior vena cava (IVC).

Where does oxygenated and deoxygenated blood mix in the fetus?

umbilical vein
Blood may enter the right atrium through the inferior vena cava, which in the fetus carries mostly well-oxygenated blood from the umbilical vein and some deoxygenated blood from the hepatic vein; or blood may enter through the superior vena cava, which carries oxygen-deprived blood from the superior structures of the …

How is fetal oxygen saturation measured?

In fetal oxygen saturation monitoring, a sensor is inserted by hand through the cervix after the membranes have ruptured and placed against the baby’s face. The sensor, connected to a monitor by a cable, provides a continuous reading of the baby’s oxygen level.

Why is fetal lung resistance high?

The high PVR during the fetal period is due to a combination of mechanical factors, various vasoconstrictor mediators, and relative hypoxemia. The fetal small pulmonary arteries have a characteristic cuboidal endothelium and thick muscular coat [10,11], which contribute to the elevated PVR.

In which structure is the oxygen content highest?

The pulmonary veins have the greatest concentration of oxygenation, because they bring oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium. They are the only veins that carry oxygenated blood. Blood in the pulmonary arteries is deoxygenated and travels from the right ventricle to the lungs for gas exchange.

Is 130 a good heart rate for a fetus?

A normal fetal heart rate (FHR) usually ranges from 120 to 160 beats per minute (bpm) in the in utero period. It is measurable sonographically from around 6 weeks and the normal range varies during gestation, increasing to around 170 bpm at 10 weeks and decreasing from then to around 130 bpm at term.

Is 138 a normal fetal heart rate?

Conclusions. Normal ranges for FHR are 120 to 160 bpm. Many international guidelines define ranges of 110 to 160 bpm which seem to be safe in daily practice.

Is the oxygen level higher in the blood of the umbilical artery and umbilical vein?

Fifty-five percent of the fetal cardiac output goes through the umbilical artery to the placenta. Blood from the placenta passes back to the fetus through the umbilical vein, which has an oxygen saturation of approximately 80\% compared with the 98\% saturation in the arterial circulation of the adult.

What is CTG?

Cardiotocography (CTG) is a continuous recording of the fetal heart rate obtained via an ultrasound transducer placed on the mother’s abdomen. CTG is widely used in pregnancy as a method of assessing fetal well‐being, predominantly in pregnancies with increased risk of complications.

What carries oxygen away from the placenta?

The umbilical vein carries oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood from the placenta to the fetus, and the umbilical arteries carry deoxygenated, nutrient-depleted blood from the fetus to the placenta (Figure 2.2).