Various complications can arise during labor and delivery, impacting either the mother, the baby, or both. Some of these complications carry a potential risk to the life of the baby, particularly if they disrupt the baby’s oxygen supply.
Onset of contractions or premature rupture of membranes prior to the 37th week of pregnancy can lead to premature labor, resulting in the birth of a small and underdeveloped baby. For more information on prematurity, please refer to the relevant section.
In the event of premature rupture of the amniotic sac—an early rupture of the fluid-filled membranous bag safeguarding the fetus within the uterus—an infection in the uterus may ensue. Such circumstances necessitate immediate delivery of the baby and administration of antibiotic medications as part of the treatment protocol.
Insufficient contractions of the uterus can contribute to sluggish progress during the initial stage of a normal labor. To address this issue, intravenous infusions of synthetic oxytocin are commonly administered as a treatment measure. In cases where the mother is unable to exert adequate pushing force or if the contractions prove ineffective during the second stage of labor, alternative delivery methods such as forceps delivery, vacuum extraction, or caesarean section may be employed to facilitate the birth of the baby.
In rare instances, eclampsia—a condition characterized by convulsions linked to elevated blood pressure—may manifest during labor. Prompt management of this disorder involves the administration of anticonvulsant drugs and oxygen, alongside the necessity for a caesarean section to ensure the well-being of both the mother and the baby.
Antepartum hemorrhage, or bleeding before labor, and intrapartum hemorrhage, or bleeding during labor, can arise from the premature and partial separation of the placenta from the uterine wall. Alternatively, it may stem from a condition known as placenta previa, where the placenta resides over the cervix’s opening. Postpartum hemorrhage, characterized by blood loss after delivery, generally occurs due to the failure of the uterus to contract adequately or the retention of a portion of the placenta.
In cases where the baby assumes the breech position or any other malpresentation, which deviates from the typical head-down position within the uterus, a caesarean section may become a necessary course of action.
The presence of multiple pregnancies presents a heightened risk of delivery complications due to the challenge of accurately predicting the position of second or subsequent babies. Additionally, there is an increased likelihood of premature birth among infants in multiple pregnancies.
In instances where the mother’s pelvis is disproportionately small compared to the size of her baby’s head, a condition referred to as cephalopelvic disproportion, the delivery may necessitate a caesarean section.