What Are the Various Labor & Delivery Complications?
A pregnancy that has progressed without any apparent hitch can still give way to complications during delivery. Here are some of the most common concerns. Premature Delivery One of the greatest dangers a baby can encounter is to be born too early, before the body systems are mature enough to ensure survival. The lungs, for example, may not be able to breathe air or the baby’s body may not generate enough heat to keep warm. Failure to Progress (Prolonged Labor) A small percentage of women, mostly first-time mothers, may experience a labor that lasts too long. In this situation, both the mother and the baby are at risk for several complications including infections. Abnormal Presentation Presentation refers to the the part of the fetus that will appear first from the birth canal. It could be either vertex (head down) or breech (buttocks down). In the weeks before your due date, the fetus usually drops lower in the uterus. Ideally for labor, the baby is positioned head-down, facing the mo
