Visit a Top Gynaecologist in Delhi for Common Labor Problems | Rosewalk

Most common Labor Complications you need to know about
The labor and delivery is a straightforward process. However, sometimes complications can arise. If these complications are not dealt with properly, it can have severe results. You also need to have support from the best hospital for delivery in Delhi, Rosewalk Hospitals.
In this article, we will be discussing the complications that arise during labour that requires immediate attention:

1. Failure to progress
Failure to progress or prolonged labour occurs when the duration of labour is longer than expected. According to the American Pregnancy Association, a labour for first delivery that lasts for more than 20 hours is a prolonged labour. In case you have given birth before, the time is 14 hours.If prolonged labour occurs during the early or latent phase, it doesn’t cause any complications. However, if it occurs during the active phase, you might need medical intervention. The reason for prolonged labour might be slow effacement, slow cervical dilations, a small pelvis or birth canal, a large baby, delivery of multiple babies, or emotional factors.
If you face this complication, the first step is to relax and wait. Take a walk, run a warm bath, or have a sleep. In the later stages, you might be given labour-inducing medications or have a cesarean delivery.

2. Fetal distress
Also known as non-reassuring fetal status, this condition is when the fetus seems like it isn’t doing well. This complication might be linked to low amniotic fluid levels, issues with muscle movement and tone, and irregular heartbeat of the baby. It might be caused because of maternal anemia, insufficient oxygen levels, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR), or pregnancy-induced hypertension.If you go through this complication, there are some strategies that can help you like changing your position, maintaining oxygenation, increasing maternal hydration, intravenous hypertonic dextrose, tocolysis (temporary stoppage of contractions to delay preterm labour), amnioinfusion (fluid is inserted inside the amniotic cavity for relieving pressure on the umbilical cord). In some cases, you might have to go through a cesarean delivery.

3. Perinatal Asphyxia
Perinatal Asphyxia is a complication of failing to start and sustain breathing at birth. It can occur before, during, or after the delivery because of inadequate oxygen supply. It can lead to several complex problems such as hypoxemia (low oxygen levels), acidosis (too much acid in the blood), or high carbon dioxide levels.Symptoms of perinatal asphyxia include low pH levels, low heart rate, poor skin colour, gasping, weak muscle tone, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, and weak breathing.
To treat this complication, the doctor might provide oxygen to you or carry out a cesarean delivery. In some cases, medications or mechanical breathing after delivery is required.

4. Shoulder Dystocia
In this complication, the head is vaginally delivered, but the shoulders are still inside the mother. It usually occurs during the first delivery and is responsible for almost half of all the C-section deliveries. However, you can try some maneuvers for releasing the shoulder before going for the cesarean delivery such as changing the position or manually turning the shoulders of the baby. In some cases, surgical widening of the vagina or an episiotomy might be needed for making room for the shoulders.

5. Excessive bleeding
On average, a woman loses 500ml of blood while delivering a single baby vaginally. In the case of cesarean delivery, the amount of blood lost on average is 1000 ml. Bleeding occurs when the placenta is expelled. The reason behind this might be weak contractions or the inability of the uterine contractions to provide enough compressions to the blood vessels. It can lead to low blood pressure, shock, organ failure, and even death.There are some conditions that can increase the risk of postpartum hemorrhage:

• Uterine overdistention
• Several prior births
• Placenta previa or placental abruption
• Multiple gestation pregnancy
• Prolonged labour
• Pregnancy-induced hypertension
• Infection
• Use of medications or general anesthesia to induce or stop labour
• Vacuum-assisted delivery
• Obesity

The aim of the treatment is to stop the bleeding. This can be done by using medications, uterine massage, uterine packing, removing retained placenta, tying the bleeding blood vessels, or surgery (laparotomy for finding the reason for bleeding or hysterectomy for removing the uterus).
Labour complications can be life-threatening sometimes, for you as well as your baby. But, when you have access to the top gynaecologist in Delhi at the Rosewalk Hospital, the outlook is good.

ROSEWALK TEAM