There may be some doubts. Learn the common childbirth complications in labour and childbirth to stay prepared if the need arise.
1. Childbirth Complications Premature Delivery
Though 40 weeks is the timeframe for a full-term pregnancy but in some women, labour contractions may happen before 37 weeks. This is known as pre-term labour. Before 37 weeks, the lungs of the baby are not fully developed which makes it difficult to breathe air or generate heat to stay warm. This risks the survival of the premature baby outside.
2. Prolonged Labor
Sometimes labour fails to progress and continues for a very long time. This usually happens in a very small section of first-time mums. Prolonged labour puts the baby and the mother at risk of infections or 'water break'.
3. Baby in a Breech Position
Ideally, few weeks before the due date, fetus positions itself head down, chin tucked to the chest and facing the mother's rear - this is the normal presentation called 'vertex.' Some babies present themselves in a breech position that is to say they enter the birth canal with their buttocks or feet first.
4. Premature Rupture of Amniotic Sac
Usually, during the childbirth, amniotic sac ruptures to release the baby. If this happens too early, then the baby is exposed to infection.
5. Prolapse of the Umbilical Cord
Umbilical cord supplies blood, oxygen and nutrients from the mother's body to the baby. Sometimes during the labour, the umbilical cord may slip through the cervix and come out of the vagina.
6. Compressed Umbilical Cord
When a fetus is very active inside the uterus, it may cause the umbilical cord to twist and wrap around the baby. Such 'cord accidents' are rare but prove to be dangerous.
7. Amniotic Fluid Embolism
A very serious complication in which amniotic fluid may enter the bloodstream of the mother during caesarian delivery or prolonged labour. This may lead to constriction of the arteries of the mother's lungs which results in blood clots, irregular heartbeat, cardiac arrest and death.
8. Preeclampsia
Many women develop very high blood pressure which may detach placenta from the uterus or cause seizures and stroke in the mother.
9. Postpartum Hemorrhage
After the delivery excessive bleeding may happen due to impaired uterine contractions or ruptured blood vessels where placenta detaches may cause excessive bleeding.
10. Childbirth Complications Post-Term Pregnancy
If the labour fails to start after 41 or 42 weeks it is known as post-term pregnancy. Though it's not exactly a risky situation but the problem occurs if the placenta is unable to nourish the baby.
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