Complications that may arise in birth
Although most women have successful births and healthy babies, it is worth preparing yourself for the unexpected things that can happen during labor and birth.
Medical intervention may be required for a number of reasons, and occurs on average in one in every three births. Below are some of the most common forms of intervention.
INDUCED LABOR
It can be pretty disappointing when your due date comes and goes and there is no sign of the baby. Most women are offered an induction at roughly 7-14 days past their due date, but each woman will be individually monitored and reviewed. See Inductions and going overdue for more information.
Membrane sweep
If you are overdue, you may be offered a membrance sweep - also called a strech and sweep - to try and get things going. Your midwife will gently insert her finger into your cervix and sweep around the membranes at the edge of the cervix. This releases hormones called prostaglandins and can kick-start labor.
Prostaglandin
Your body naturally produces prostaglandin, which stimulates the uterus into contracting, but some women may need prosthetic prostaglandin to help get labour started. Synthetic prostaglandin can be administered by inserting a pessary or gel into the vagina, which softens the cervix. You may need more than one dose of prostaglandin to start contractions.
Artificial rupture of membranes
Often know as AROM, this is a way of speeding up contractions by artificially breaking the bag of membranes surrounding your baby. Once the bag bursts, the amniotic fluid leaks out and the amount of prostaglandin increases, which speeds labor up.
It is done during a vaginal examination with a long plastic instrument with a hook at one end. It should not be painful, just a little uncomfortable.
Syntocinon
Syntocinon is a synthetic hormone used to induce labor. It makes the uterus contract, and can be used once the cervix has softened. It is usually administered using an IV (intravenous line) so you won’t be able to move around as much. You may have be attached to a fetal monitor, as Syntocinon can over-stimulate the uterus and result in your baby becoming distressed, so your baby will need close monitoring. See Natural ways to induce labour
Emergency cesarean
If labor is not progressing well you may have to have an emergency cesarean. There are many reasons this could happen, including:
Multiple births - multiple babies are much more likely to be delivered by c-section.
Dangerous maternal conditions - such as pre-eclampsia.
Fetal distress - the baby may not be receiving enough food or oxygen.
Prolapsed umbilical cord - the cord nourishing the baby has been pushed through the cervix into the vagina.
Head size - the baby's head is larger than the mother's pelvic opening.
Breech presentation - the baby is bottom or feet first.
Transverse presentation - the baby is lying sideways.
Placental praevia - the placenta is blocking the cervix.
Last resort - the baby cannot be delivered any other way.
This is naturally dissapointing for women who have already had long labors.
Forceps and ventouse
Some women may also need to have an assisted delivery which means that the baby is born with the help of forceps or a ventouse. A woman might also require an episiotomy (a surgical incision through the perineum made to enlarge the vagina and assist childbirth) to help the baby to be born more quickly.
If your baby is found to be breech and you are in labor, it depends on the hospital's policy to whether you will be allowed to give birth naturally.
The information in this feature is intended for educational purposes only. If you have any concerns about your health, the health of your child or the health of someone you know, please consult with a doctor or other healthcare professional.
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Last Modified: 07/05/2007
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