Breath-holding during pushing may decrease the amount of oxygen available for the baby.

• A. It Increases Fetal Oxygen Supply
• B. It Decreases Oxygen Available To The Baby
• C. It Has No Effect On Oxygen
• D. It Increases Maternal Oxygen Consumption

Answer: (B)

Breath-holding during pushing often uses the Valsalva maneuver, which raises intrathoracic pressure and reduces venous return to the heart. This lowers maternal cardiac output and can transiently decrease uteroplacental blood flow, meaning less oxygen is delivered to the fetus. Prolonged or repeated breath-holding during labor can thus reduce the oxygen available to the baby, especially if there’s already stress on the fetus. That’s why the statement about decreasing oxygen for the baby is the best choice. It doesn’t increase fetal oxygen supply, it does have an effect, and it doesn’t meaningfully increase maternal oxygen delivery to offset the fetal impact.