MACERATED FOETUS

Foetal death is the cessation of foetal life prior to expulsion from womb of the mother. , irrespective of duration of pregnancy. The causes for foetal death in majority of cases are Placental and umbilical in origin. Few are as follows :-

• Infection
• cord compression
• cord prolapse
• Placental abruption 
• Placenta previa
• circumvallete placenta
• Placental Insufficiency
• Maternal Medical and obstetrical disease
• congenital malformation of foetus
• Erythroblastosis foetalis  

Death of foetus in utero is accompanied by changes of maceration. Seen here is one of the earliest chances, which is slippage of the skin , as this process advances , the skin become reddened.
         The worst consequences are because of Meconium spillage in amniotic fluid , being aspirated or reflex gasping effort by the foetus.
        Meconium in turn enters in lungs of the foetus and causes respiratory distress leading to foetal death in utero.
         As time passes the process of maceration starts and in such cases delivery has to be planned carefully , otherwise Mother has to bear the consequences . The  Mental trauma , she will never forget and physically she is the only one , who will suffer the most., No doubt , whole family in turn suffers the loss financially , socially and mentally too. !!