10 Labor complications that can occur during childbirth

Pregnancy and childbirth is not an easy process to go through. The possibility of a problem can not only come during pregnancy, but the mother can also experience complications or danger signs during the labor process. What are the complications or what are commonly referred to as complications that may occur during childbirth?

Various complications of childbirth are common

When you feel the signs of childbirth, the mother can immediately go to the hospital so that the delivery process can be carried out immediately.

Make sure all labor preparations and delivery supplies are ready.

The risk of complications can come at any time during labor or delivery.

Moreover, there are certain conditions in mothers who are prone to complications, both during normal delivery and cesarean section.

For example, the gestational age is more than 42 weeks, the mother's age is quite old, the mother has certain medical conditions, and so on.

In fact, even a 9 month pregnancy that runs smoothly is still at risk of experiencing complications or danger signs during later labor.

There are various complications of childbirth that can happen to you and your baby, including:

1. Dystocia labor complications

Dystocia or what is referred to as obstructed labor (prolonged labor) is a complication of delivery when the total delivery time is long.

Yes, the time spent starting from the initial opening of the cervix, until the baby comes out is quite long from its normal time.

According to the American Pregnancy Association, labor is said to be underdeveloped if it lasts more than 20 hours for the first birthing experience.

Meanwhile, if you have previously given birth, labor complications do not progress, namely when it takes more than 14 hours.

Dystocia can be treated with labor induction, forceps procedures, episiotomy (vaginal scissors), or caesarean section.

2. Cephalopelvic disproportion

Cephalopelvic disproportion is a complication of labor when the baby is difficult to be born through the mother's pelvis because of its size.

Complications of cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) delivery can occur when the baby's head is too large or the mother's pelvis is too small.

The small size of the mother's pelvis is not a problem if the baby's head is not too big either.

CPD management is usually done by caesarean section because normal delivery is not possible.

3. Umbilical cord prolapse

During the womb, the umbilical cord (umbilical cord) is the lifeblood of the baby.

The umbilical cord is responsible for circulating nutrients and oxygen from the mother to the baby's body so that it can grow and develop in the mother's womb.

Sometimes during childbirth, the umbilical cord can enter the cervix or cervix first before the water breaks.

The umbilical cord can even pass through the vagina earlier than the baby, causing complications during delivery.

This condition is called umbilical cord prolapse. This complication of umbilical cord prolapse delivery is certainly very dangerous for the baby.

This is because the blood flow in the umbilical cord can be blocked or even stopped. Make sure you get medical attention as early as possible when these labor complications occur.

4. Complications of childbirth fetus entangled in the umbilical cord

The position of the fetus in the womb is not always still and calm.

Sometimes, babies can move and change positions so that their body is wrapped around its own umbilical cord.

The umbilical cord entangled fetus can actually detach by itself many times during pregnancy.

However, the umbilical cord that is wrapped around the baby during childbirth can cause complications.

This is because the blood flow to the baby can be interrupted, causing the baby's heart rate to drop suddenly (variable decelerations).

The cause of the fetus being entangled in the umbilical cord can also be due to the size of the umbilical cord that is too long, its structure is weak, and is not protected by a sufficient layer of jelly.

Pregnant and giving birth to twins are also often the cause of the umbilical cord wrapped around the baby's body.

If the baby's heart rate continues to worsen during labor and the baby shows other signs of danger.

Childbirth by caesarean section can be the best way out to deal with these complications of childbirth.

5. Amniotic fluid embolism

Amniotic fluid embolism is a condition when fetal cells, amniotic fluid, and others enter the mother's bloodstream through the placenta.

This complication or complication of labor may occur because the placental barrier is damaged by injury.

In fact, the amniotic fluid that enters the mother's bloodstream rarely causes problems.

That is why amniotic fluid embolism is a rare sign of danger of childbirth.

6. Delivery complications of perinatal asphyxia

Perinatal asphyxia is the complication of labor when the baby does not get enough oxygen in the womb during and after childbirth.

Asphyxia is a complication of childbirth that can be fatal.

Apart from low oxygen levels, babies can also experience complications of childbirth in the form of perinatal asphyxia due to increased levels of carbon dioxia.

Doctors usually carry out immediate treatment for cases of perinatal asphyxia by giving oxygen to the mother and cesarean section.

After giving birth, treatment will also be carried out, for example by providing mechanical breathing or other treatments to the baby.

7. Fetal distress (fetal distress)

Fetal distress orfetal distress is a condition when the baby's oxygen supply during labor and thereafter is insufficient.

At first glance, fetal distress looks similar to perinatal asphyxia. It's just that, fetal distress indicates that the fetus is in a bad condition in the mother's womb.

That is why, fetal distress is said to be an alarming fetal status or condition.

In addition to insufficient oxygen levels for the baby, fetal distress can also be caused by a small baby and a gestational age of more than 42 weeks.

Stunted fetal growth or intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) also contributes to fetal distress.

8. Torn uterus (uterine rupture)

Danger signs of uterine rupture labor or uterine rupture may occur if the mother has previously had a cesarean section.

This condition occurs when the scar opens in the next normal delivery.

In addition to causing complications of childbirth in the form of heavy bleeding in the mother, the baby in the womb is also at risk of experiencing oxygen deficiency.

In this condition, doctors will usually recommend an immediate cesarean delivery.

That is why, mothers who plan to have a normal delivery after cesarean should always consult their doctor first.

The doctor can perform a series of examinations and then determine the best decision after seeing the condition of the mother and baby.

9. Meconium aspiration syndrome

Meconium aspiration syndrome is a problem that occurs when a baby drinks meconium-mixed amniotic fluid before, during, or after birth.

Meconium or the baby's first feces mixed with amniotic fluid can make the baby poisoned if you drink too much.

Normally, babies drink amniotic fluid while they are in the womb. However, the amniotic fluid is free of meconium so it cannot be said to be poisoned.

Babies who experience stress before, during, and after the birth process can be the cause of meconium aspiration.

10. Postpartum hemorrhage

After the baby is delivered, the mother can experience postpartum hemorrhage.

Postpartum hemorrhage is one of the birth complications that occurs after the placenta is removed, either during normal or cesarean delivery.

The uterine contractions or the weak uterus are unable to put sufficient pressure on the blood vessels, especially the place where the placenta attaches to the uterus.

Postpartum hemorrhage can also be caused by a part of the placenta remaining in the uterus and infection of the uterine wall.

All of these things can cause blood vessels to open up so that the uterine wall continues to bleed.

Bleeding during childbirth that is too much risk threatens the life of the mother, reports from the National Institute of Health.

Immediate treatment from doctors and the medical team can help improve the mother's health condition as well as prevent it from getting worse.

However, postpartum hemorrhage is not the same as lochia or puerperal bleeding.

Unlike postpartum hemorrhage, which is a danger sign of childbirth in the mother's body, lochia bleeding is normal after delivery.

11. Complications of the delivery of breech babies (breech birth)

As the name implies, breech babies occur when the baby in the womb is not in the position it should be before birth.

The position of the baby's head during pregnancy is usually on the top and feet down.

Over time, the baby will rotate with his feet up and his head down close to the birth canal.

This change in position generally occurs near delivery.

Unfortunately, in some cases, babies can experience a breech position, aka not in the position they should be before the day of birth.

Conversely, the position of the breech baby makes the baby's legs or buttocks come out first, followed by his head.

This position can certainly cause birth complications that are risky for the baby, especially if the mother plans to give birth normally.

12. Placental retention

Placental retention is a condition when the placenta does not come out of the uterus after delivery for more than 30 minutes.

In fact, the placenta should come out of the uterus because the mother's body is still contracting postpartum.

Placental retention is usually treated by giving an injection to stimulate the uterus to contract.

If it is felt that there is no change, the doctor may undergo a surgical procedure with epidural administration or anesthesia.

13. Placenta accreta

Placenta accreta is one of the causes of retained placenta.

This complication of childbirth occurs when the placenta is too tightly attached to the uterine wall, making it difficult for it to come off after childbirth.

In fact, the placenta can grow into the uterine wall, making it more difficult for it to escape and get out of the mother's body.

If it is not removed immediately, the placenta is difficult to remove, there is a risk that the mother will experience heavy bleeding.

14. Delivery complications of uterine atony

The uterus or uterus should still be contracted after delivery to expel the placenta while pressing on the blood vessels.

However, mothers can experience complications of uterine atony delivery resulting in profuse bleeding (postpartum hemorrhage).

Doctors usually treat uterine atony with surgery to hysterectomy for cases classified as severe.

15. Postpartum infection

Other complications of childbirth that can be experienced by mothers after giving birth are postpartum infections.

Postpartum infection is caused by the presence of bacteria, whether it is in the surgical incision, uterus, bladder, and others.

Postpartum infections can include breast mastitis, endometritis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and infections in the surgical incision base.

Treatment for complications of childbirth, both during normal delivery and cesarean section, in the form of postpartum infection will be readjusted to the cause.

16. Died during or after childbirth

Maternal mortality during and after childbirth includes delivery complications that are fatal.

The cause of the mother's death during childbirth or afterward, namely due to complications or problems during childbirth.

On the other hand, the unequal supply of health facilities and difficult access to health facilities often make problems experienced by mothers unable to be helped quickly.

This is one of the reasons for the increase in maternal mortality and childbirth.