infant bradycardia in the womb

Hi Dear.
my wife just had a a baby born on the 24th. baby was 39 weeks and few days. while in the L&D room waiting delivery baby had bradycardia in the womb that lasted about 10 minutes. the nicu team was in there and every one was trying to regain the baby's heart rate. my wife was given a shot of epinephrine to increase both her and the baby's heart rate. baby's heart rate did come back up to 140's after 10 minutes and the baby was delivered vaginally with in the next half hour. up on delivery the OB noticed that the cord was around the nick and clamped then cut the cord. Baby had appgars   of 6 and 9. Baby was a little shocky,grunting and some mild retractions and had some retained fluids in the lungs. My question is that should i be worried about any long term effects . I thanks you in advance.
Daud.

[dolfnlvr]

I wouldn't worry about long term effects from this unless your doctors feel there is a reason to do so.  Your child wasn't very premature, and the scenario is a fairly common one.  When the cord is wrapped around the baby's neck during delivery it causes bradycardia in the infant.  Sometimes this causes the decision to perform a c-section but if the delivery is too far along the decision to use epinephine and forceps or vacuum is often the case.  

The umbilical cord provides much needed oxygen and nutrients for the baby.  During labor, when the uterus contracts, the baby is pushed forward.  If the cord is wrapped around the neck, then it is pulled taught and sort of clinches (like a kinked hose) and all that stuff is cut off.  The lower oxygen levels causes the heart rate to drop dramatically.  This is a textbook sign that the cord is wrapped.  

Once the cord is removed and the baby is getting its oxygen from the air, this issue is resolved and all is effectively "cured."  The retained fluid in the lungs is also not an uncommon situation in newborns.  When the baby is pushed through the birth canal his/her body is squeezed and much of the embryonic fluid that is in the lungs during pregnancy is pushed out of the baby.  When there is a quick delivery, or sometimes even with a normal delivery, there is often some fluid left over.  This makes baby cough a bit, and until it is all expelled it can be scary, but in today's hospitals, the situation is well prepared for and there are rarely serious complications.

It sounds to me as though you have a healthy new baby.  While the first two weeks or so may be nerve wracking in terms of getting to know this new little human, the effects of the delivery should quickly fade away into a memory as the miracle of discovery continues for you and your family.

CONGRATULATIONS PAPA!!!!