Pregnancy Complications
Giving birth is a memorable experience for all women but it might turn out complicated for few. Complications during delivery can arise due to various reasons; one of the most frequent being abnormal position of the baby. Ideally a baby that is ready for delivery will be facing toward the mother’s backside and have its head down. Any alterations in the position would make moving through the birth canal hard leading to unnecessary complications. This is handled by the physician according to the complexity of the position. Initially the baby is tried to reposition externally, this method is called ‘version’. If this procedure fails, it often leads to a Cesarean section instead of a vaginal birth.
Another danger during delivery is pre-term labor. Ideally a full time pregnancy lasts for 38-40 weeks. If contractions begin before 37 weeks it gives rise to a premature baby; this baby is at a risk of various complications like digestive problems and immature lungs leading to respiratory distress.
Fetal distress occurs when the fetus is deprived of oxygen, it occurs in post maturity delivery or due to complications in labor. An abnormal heart rate of the fetus is a clear indication and can be corrected by increasing the amount of fluids given intravenously to the mother and by increasing the oxygen intake of the mother. If these methods fail the baby is delivered speedily using cesarean delivery, vacuum extractor or forceps.
A mother carrying more than one fetus tends to have an overstretched uterus which starts contracting before pregnancy reaches full term. This could result in the babies being born prematurely and are generally small. In cases where you are carrying multiples, even if one of the fetuses in a breech or transverse position can lead to complications in vaginal delivery.
The membranes surrounding the baby in the uterus rupture releasing amniotic fluid; this process is more commonly known as water breaking which leads to labor. If these membranes rupture prematurely, it can be dangerous for the delicate baby making it prone to various infections.
A condition which is extremely rare is, Amniotic Fluid Embolism, wherein the amniotic fluid, fetal cells, hair or other debris that surrounds the fetus enters the bloodstream of the mother through the placenta. When this fluid travels to the mother’s lungs it makes the arteries of the lungs constrict. This can prove fatal to the mother giving rise to increased heart beats which can lead to cardiac arrest and respiratory failure.
The umbilical cord is the source of the baby’s blood and nutrition. In some cases, before or during labor, it precedes the baby into the birth canal by slipping through the cervix. A dangerous situation where the blood flow through the umbilical cord can become blocked or is stopped when the cord protrudes from the vagina. Cord accidents do also happen where the cord gets twisted around and harms the baby, this is an extremely rare occurrence. In rare cases it can also get stretched and compressed, during labor leading to decrease in blood flow to the uterus.
