Understanding Newborn Baby Birth Complications

Some of the birth complications include premature delivery caused preterm labour, prolonged labour and abnormal presentation

Prolonged Labour

Prolonged labour is one in which the foetus is unable to progress and get delivered. It means that the labour is not progressing as fast as it should. This could be due to an oversized baby, baby in breech position, abnormal presentation or a uterus that is not flexible enough to contract as it should. It is often the case that no apparent reason for prolonged labour is found.

If the labour continues for too long, intravenous fluids may need to be administered to the baby in order to prevent the infant from dehydration. If there is problem with the uterus, oxytocin may be given to the patient as it enables better contractions. If the problem is one of a cervix that is not dilating, a caesarean delivery would be needed.

Abnormal Presentation

At the end of your third trimester, your doctor checks for the baby presentation. It is done by feeling for it in the abdomen. He can tell you whether your baby is in breech position or not. If it is found many weeks before delivery that the baby is in breech position, the doctor tries to turn it into the correct position. This procedure is called version.

If the first attempt of turning the baby is found to be unsuccessful, the doctor may try the epidural pain medications for the same. These medications help to relax the uterine muscles. As all doctors do not have the required training for performing a version, you may be referred to a different one. But you need to realise that a big baby would be harder to turn. This procedure can be very uncomfortable for the baby as well as the mother.

Umbilical cord prolapsed and birth complications

It is a condition which occurs when the baby is small, preterm or is found to be in breech presentation. If the baby's head has not entered the pelvis of the mother, even this situation constitutes a cord prolapse. It is also possible if the amniotic sac of the mother breaks before the foetus moves into position in the pelvis.

Some other birth complications include umbilical cord compression, premature rupture of membranes, and umbilical cord prolapse in an emergency and this is different from the usual umbilical cord prolapse. You must be aware of the complications that can occur to manage birth complications.