What are some common complications during labor?
Each pregnancy and labor is different, and problems may arise.
If difficulties occur, providers can assist by monitoring the situation closely and intervening, as necessary.
Some of the more common complications are:
Labor that doesn’t progress
Sometimes contractions weaken, the cervix doesn’t dilate enough or during a timely manner, or the infant’s descent within the birth canal doesn’t proceed smoothly. If labor isn’t progressing, a health care provider may give the lady medications to extend contractions and speed up labor, or the lady may have a cesarean delivery.
Perineal tears
A woman’s vagina and therefore the surrounding tissues are likely to tear during the delivery process. Sometimes these tears heal on their own. If a tear is more serious or the lady has had an episiotomy (a surgical cut between the vagina and anus), her provider will help repair the tear using stitches.
Problems with the umbilical cord
The umbilical cord may get caught on an arm or leg because the infant travels through the birth canal. Typically, a provider intervenes if the cord becomes wrapped around the infant’s neck, is compressed, or comes out before the infant.
The abnormal pulse of the baby
Repeatedly, an abnormal heart rate during labor doesn’t mean that there’s a problem. A health care provider will likely ask the lady to modify positions to help the infant get more blood flow. In certain instances, like when test results show a bigger problem, the delivery may need to happen directly. during this situation, the lady is more likely to wish for an emergency cesarean delivery or the health care provider may have to do an episiotomy to widen the vaginal opening for delivery.
Water breaking early
Labor usually starts on its own within 24 hours of the female’s water breaking. If not, and if the pregnancy is at or near term, the provider will likely induce labor. If a pregnant woman’s water breaks before 34 weeks of pregnancy, the lady is going to be monitored within the hospital. Infection can become a serious concern if the woman’s water breaks early and labor doesn’t begin on its own.
Perinatal asphyxia
This condition occurs when the fetus doesn’t get enough oxygen within the uterus or the infant doesn’t get enough oxygen during labor or delivery or simply after birth.
Shoulder dystocia. during this situation, the infant’s head has begun of the vagina, but one among the shoulders becomes stuck.
Excessive bleeding
If delivery leads to tears to the uterus, or if the uterus doesn’t contract to deliver the placenta, heavy bleeding may result. Worldwide, such bleeding may be a leading explanation for maternal death.9 NICHD has supported studies to research the utilization of misoprostol to reduce bleeding, especially in resource-poor settings.
Delivery can also require a provider’s special attention when the pregnancy lasts quite 42 weeks, when the lady had a C-section during a previous pregnancy, or when she is older than a certain age.