Prolonged labor refers to labor that does not naturally come to an end and lasts longer than expected.
Childbirth is a unique experience for every woman, whether she is a mother for the first time or already a mother. Sometimes the baby is born really fast.
Other times, it’s good, but not very fast. The speed at which the baby is born depends on several factors, including the speed at which what is called labor occurs.
Labor is a series of intense and successive muscle contractions. These contractions help push the baby out of the uterus (womb) and into the birth canal.
You will probably feel these contractions in your lower back and abdomen. These are called labor pains. Contractions help dilate (widen) the opening of the vagina (called the cervix). This process allows the child to leave the body and be born.
First-time mothers are usually in labor for about 12 to 18 hours on average. This process is usually faster and takes about half as long if you’ve had a baby before.
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What is prolonged labor?
Sometimes the speed of childbirth slows down and this process goes very slowly. Prolonged labor is also referred to as “lack of labor progress “.
Prolonged labor can be diagnosed by the stage of labor and whether the cervix is properly thinned and opened during labor or not. If the baby still hasn’t been born after about 20 hours of regular contractions, you’re probably in long-term labor. According to some health professionals, this happens after 18 to 24 hours.
Prolonged labor occurs when :
- The baby is too big and cannot pass through the birth canal.
- The child is in an abnormal position.
- The baby is usually placed with the head down and facing the mother’s back.
The birth canal is too small for the baby to pass through. Your contractions are very weak.
What will happen if the delivery is slow?
Most women dream of quick delivery. But if your labor seems to be going very slowly, take comfort in knowing that your doctor, nurse, or midwife will keep you and your baby fully under control for any problems during this time.
The medical team will evaluate the following :
- Number of contractions
- Strength of contractions
- labor
- Causes and treatment of prolonged labor
The following tests may also be performed :
Insertion of an Intrauterine Pressure Catheter (IUPC) – A small tube monitor is placed in the uterus next to the baby that not only tells the best obstetrician and infertility specialist when contractions are occurring, but also how strong the contractions are… If the doctor feels that the contractions are not strong enough, then they may also consider adding bitcoins.
What is the treatment of prolonged labor?
If labor is progressing slowly, you may be told to rest for a while. Medicines are sometimes given to ease labor pain and help you relax. You may feel more comfortable by changing your body position.
Another solution depends on the factors that cause slow work. If the baby is in the birth canal, the obstetrician or midwife may use a special tool called forceps or a heating pad to help pull the baby into the womb.
If the gynecologist thinks that the labor is more important or worse, Pitocin (oxytocin) can be given to you. This drug accelerates contractions and strengthens them. If the doctor thinks that the number of contractions is enough and labor still stops, you may need a cesarean section.
If the baby is too big, or the medications don’t speed up the labor, you’ll need a cesarean section.
- long labor
- Postterm delivery
- Risks of prolonged labor
- Prolonged labor increases the likelihood of needing a cesarean section.
Labor that is too long can be dangerous for the baby.
This condition may result in the following :
- A decrease in the child’s oxygen level
- Abnormal heart rhythm of the child
- Abnormal substances in amniotic fluid
- Uterine infection
If the baby is in distress, you will need an emergency delivery. This is the time when careful monitoring is very important for the health of you and your baby.
What are the signs of prolonged labor?
What is considered prolonged labor?
How many hours is prolonged labor?
How long can labor be delayed?
last word…
If your labor is prolonged, you may be advised to rest for a while. Sometimes medicines are prescribed to reduce the pain of childbirth and to relax you. In addition, it may be useful to change the position of the body for more comfort.
The provision of treatment methods is related to the reason for the slow progress of the labor stages. If the fetus has entered the birth canal and the cervix is fully opened, the doctor may facilitate the exit of the baby from the vagina with the help of auxiliary tools such as forceps or a vacuum.
If the doctor feels that you need to increase the number or intensity of uterine contractions for childbirth, he may prescribe oxytocin for you.
This medicine helps to increase the speed and intensity of contractions. If the contractions of the uterus have adequate strength and intervals, but the delivery takes a long time, it may be necessary to perform a cesarean section.
Also, if the baby is too big or the medicine does not help speed up delivery, it is also necessary to perform a cesarean section. In cases where labor is prolonged, there may be a possibility of infection in the baby. For this reason, after delivery, the baby is placed in the neonatal intensive care unit.
In conclusion, prolonged labor can be a challenging and stressful experience for both the mother and the baby. It can increase the risk of complications and may require medical interventions such as assisted delivery or a cesarean section.
Therefore, it is essential to monitor the progress of labor carefully and promptly intervene if necessary to ensure the health and safety of both the mother and the baby.
