Even if you've been happy and healthy throughout your pregnancy , it's normal to feel a little nervous as you approach the birth of your baby. "Will there be a big problem?", "Will everything go well?", and so on. In fact, sometimes minor complications can arise during the birth of your baby. But don't worry. Your doctor and the hospital staff are well prepared for all of this. Let's take a look at the most common problems that can arise at this time and how to deal with them.
Preterm Labor
One of the biggest challenges a baby can face is being born prematurely. This is because the baby's body is not yet mature enough to survive outside the womb. For example, the lungs may not be fully developed, making it difficult to breathe air, or the baby may not be able to maintain body heat.
A full pregnancy usually lasts about 40 weeks. When contractions start before 37 weeks, we call them preterm labor . Also, a baby born before 37 weeks is considered a 'premature baby'. These babies are at higher risk of complications such as lung immaturity, breathing difficulties, and digestive problems.
But there are medications and other treatments that can stop premature labor . Even if those treatments are not successful, advanced intensive care units can save the lives of many premature babies like this.
Be aware of these symptoms.
If you have any of the symptoms below, call your doctor immediately.
| Symptom | Description |
|---|---|
| Early contractions | Before 37 weeks, the muscles of the uterus become hard and hard like a rock. This happens every 10 minutes or less (and may even be painless). |
| Back pain like during menstruation | Lower abdominal pain. Don't confuse this with Braxton Hicks contractions, which don't usually come at the same time. |
| Pressure felt in the lower abdomen | A feeling of pressure in the pelvic area. |
| Stomach ache or bloating | If a condition such as stomach cramps, flatulence, or diarrhea occurs along with contractions, it may be a sign of preterm labor. |
| Vaginal discharge of blood or fluid | Vaginal bleeding or a change in vaginal discharge (especially a watery discharge). |
Protracted Labor
Simply put, this means that labor is happening much more slowly than expected. This means that either the cervix is opening or the baby is coming down unusually late.
There are several reasons for this, such as the baby's weight increasing, the baby being in a breech position , or the uterus not contracting strongly enough. But most of the time, no specific cause can be found.
As labor progresses in this way, especially if it has been a long time since the water broke, both mother and baby are at risk of complications such as infection.
At this time, your doctor may give you IV fluids (saline) to help you stay hydrated. If your uterus isn't contracting properly, you may be given a medicine called oxytocin to help it contract. If your cervix still doesn't open, you may need to have a cesarean section (C-section) .
Problems with the baby's position (Abnormal Presentation)
The word "presentation" refers to the part of the baby's body that comes out of the birth canal first. A few weeks before birth , the baby is in the lower position in the uterus. The best and most correct position is for the baby to be head down, with the chin tucked into the chest and facing the mother's back . The smallest part of the baby's head is then the part that comes out of the cervix into the birth canal. This is called the `vertex occiput anterior`.
Why is posture important?
The head is the largest and least flexible part of the baby's body. So if the head comes out first, the rest of the baby's body will come out easily without getting stuck anywhere.
But some babies are in different positions.
- Breech presentation : Some babies are in a breech or breech position, not a head-down position. This can be seen on ultrasound scans early in pregnancy, but most babies turn head-down as they get closer to delivery.
- Transverse Lie: Very rarely, some babies lie horizontally in the uterus. In this case, the baby's shoulder is the first to enter the birth canal.
- Cephalopelvic disproportion: This means that the baby's head is too large to pass through the mother's pelvis.
- Malpresentation: Even though the baby is head down, the forehead, top of the head, or face may be facing forward. In this case, labor can be painful and prolonged. Some people call this " back labor ."
These unusual positions increase the risk of injury to the mother's uterus or birth canal, and of abnormal labor. Breech babies are at higher risk of injury and prolapsed umbilical cord. Transverse lie is the most serious of these positions.
What are you doing about this?
At the end of the third trimester, your doctor will check the baby's position by palpating your belly or using an ultrasound. If the baby is in a breech position, your doctor may try a procedure called an external cephalic version . This involves the doctor placing his hands on your belly and gently trying to turn the baby into the correct position. This has a 50-60% success rate. However, this is best done in a hospital setting, as you need to be prepared in case a C-section is needed.
Umbilical cord problems and other complications
The umbilical cord is the lifeline of your baby. It carries oxygen and nutrients from your body to your baby. Sometimes, problems can arise with this cord too.
Umbilical Cord Prolapse
Sometimes, after the water breaks, the umbilical cord can slip into the birth canal before the baby comes out.
This is a very urgent and dangerous situation. Because the umbilical cord can become compressed and completely cut off the blood and oxygen supply to the baby. If this happens while you are at home, call an ambulance immediately and go to the hospital . Until help arrives, kneel down, put your elbows on the ground, and lift your buttocks. When you are in this position, gravity reduces the pressure on the baby's umbilical cord. Once you get to the hospital, a `C-section` surgery will be performed immediately.
Umbilical Cord Compression
It's normal for the umbilical cord to become tangled as the baby moves around in the womb. But sometimes it can become tight during labor. This can cause the baby to lose a little blood supply and the baby's heart rate to drop suddenly. Doctors can monitor this. Most of the time, this isn't a big problem, but if the baby seems to be in distress, the doctor may decide to use forceps or a vacuum to deliver the baby quickly, or perform a C-section.
Other potentially serious conditions
- Amniotic fluid embolism: This is a very rare condition. A very small amount of the fluid surrounding the baby (amniotic fluid) enters the mother's bloodstream. This is a very serious condition.
- Preeclampsia: High blood pressure that occurs after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
- Postpartum hemorrhage: Excessive bleeding from the uterus, cervix, or vagina after childbirth.
- Post-term pregnancy: If the pregnancy lasts beyond 42 weeks, the placenta may not be able to provide the baby with the necessary nutrition, which can lead to complications.
What can be done to prevent such complications?
The most important thing you can do to have a healthy baby is to get proper prenatal care early in your pregnancy . In fact, the best thing you can do is to take care of your health before you even think about getting pregnant.
Here are some other things that can help prevent complications:
- If you smoke, stop immediately. Smoking can cause preterm labor.
- Brush and floss your teeth daily. Researchers have found a link between gum disease and early pregnancy.
- Reduce your stress. Take a moment to relax every day, and ask for help from others when needed.
Your doctor will check if you are at risk for preterm labor and talk to you about precautions you should take. A transvaginal ultrasound to measure the length of the cervix and a test called fetal fibronectin can give some indication of the risk of preterm labor.
Take-Home Message
- The best thing you can do is to get proper medical advice and prenatal care from the beginning of your pregnancy.
- Be aware of the symptoms of preterm labor. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor immediately.
- Don't worry if any complications arise. Your medical team is trained to deal with them all.
- Feel free to talk to your doctor about any discomfort or doubts you may have.
- Follow your doctor's advice about lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, exactly.
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