Possible Complications during Childbirth
Possible Complications during Childbirth
Not so many years ago, having a baby was a bit of a lottery - there was a frighteningly high chance that either mother or baby would be injured or even killed in the process.
Of course, these days things are very different. Pain relief in labour can be controlled or understood, making the whole process far less scary. Maternal and baby death and complication rates have plummeted. The average woman expects to be in control of her labour, or at the very least, to emerge unscathed to enjoy her healthy baby.
But while the complications of labour can, for the most part, be sorted out, it's not always possible to stop them from happening in the first place. Dwelling on them is neither healthy nor productive, but ignoring them completely can be a recipe for disaster too.
That doesn't mean you should approach labour expecting the worst. For the majority of women, labour is a positive, uncomplicated and rewarding experience. About 85 per cent of women having their first baby will experience a normal delivery, and that rate rises to about 95 per cent if you have had a normal delivery before.
But it is worth being aware that while staff looking after you will do everything they can to accommodate your wishes in labour, the safety of you and your baby has to come first.
The stages of labour
Labour is divided into three stages.
Terms used in labour
- In the first stage your uterus starts to contract regularly, pushing the baby towards the vaginal entrance. At the same time, your cervix (the neck of your womb) begins to open up until it is dilated enough to let your baby's head through.
- The second stage of labour lasts from the time your cervix is fully dilated until your baby has been completed delivered. Once your baby has been delivered, your uterus still needs to push out the placenta or afterbirth. The placenta is both smaller and much softer than your baby, so this stage is usually much simpler than the second stage.
- The third stage of labour lasts from the time your baby is delivered to the time your placenta has been delivered.
----------------Episiotomy - a cut in your perineum, going back at an angle from the back wall of your vagina.
Forceps - a metal instrument placed around your baby's head to pull him out in the second stage. You will need an epidural or local anaesthetic for this.
Ventouse - a suction cup attached to your baby's head to pull him out in the second stage. You will also require an anaesthetic for this.
Caesarean section - an operation to open up your uterus and bring your baby out. These days, this operation always involves a horizontal cut just below your pubic hair line. It can be done under general naesthetic or epidural anaesthetic.
Contents:
Complete List of Possible Complications
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ECTOPIC PREGNANCY
What is an ectopic pregnancy
What are its symptoms
What are its implications
How is an ectopic pregnancy diagnosed
How is an ectopic pregnancy treated
HEPATITIS-B INFECTION
Is the Hepatitis B test necessary
Is Hepatitis B infection harmful the baby
HERPES
What are the symptoms of genital herpes
Can herpes harm the baby
Can my newborn get herpes
How do I prevent this infection
HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
(TOXAEMIA, PRE-ECLAMPSIA OR HYPERTENSION)
My blood pressure has suddenly shot up
Should I be concerned
What are its harmful effects
HIGH SUGAR (DIABETES)
What are the symptoms of diabetes
Does frequent urination indicate diabetes
What are the harmful effects of high sugar
Can diabetic mother have a healthy baby
How can sugar levels be controlled
INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RETARDATION (IUGR)
What is Intrauterine Growth Retardation
What are the causes of IUGR
How is it detected
How does IUGR affect the pregnancy
OLIGOHYDRAMNIOS
What is oligohydramnios
How is this condition diagnosed
How is it harmful
HYDRAMNIOS
What is hydramnios
How is this condition treated
How is it harmful
OVARIAN CYSTS
What is corpus luteum cyst
Are corpus luteum cysts dangerous
PLACENTA ABRUPTIO
What is placental abruption
PLACENTA PRAEVIA
What is placenta praevia
What are the risks associated with it
What are its symptoms
How do I deal with placenta praevia
Will it be possible to have normal delivery
Who is at risk for placenta praevia
RH DISEASE
Who is at risk for Rh incompatibility
What is Rh disease
How can Rh disease be prevented
RUBELLA (GERMAN MEASLES)
What are the symptoms of rubella
How does rubella affect my pregnancy
TAY-SACHS DISEASE
What is Tay-Sachs disease
How is it diagnosed
TOXOPLASMOSIS
What is toxoplasmosis
How does toxoplasmosis affect pregnancy
VAGINITIS OR MONILIA (CAUSE OF THRUSH)
What is vaginitis; what are its symptoms
Could my infection be harmful to the baby
WEIGHT GAIN (EXCESSIVE)
Problems of excessive weight gain
When should I be worried
WEIGHT GAIN (INADEQUATE)
I seem to have lost weight
I don't seem to be gaining enough weight
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