Pregnancy Complications
Any woman who has given birth before or at least is aware of how a baby is delivered will know that there are some pregnancy complications risk and also it is certainly not like those televised drama delivery where a woman is brought to shouting and soon “here it is” is heard and hey presto the next scene shows a makeup refreshed mother holding a healthy baby in her arms. The situation is mainly between a group of doctors who rush in the delivery room shouting to call on the NICU team or shouting on the need of a C section due to quadruple nuchal. Whatever the situation may be it will be between the two but whatever the case maybe staying educated will definitely help. Here discussed within are six different situations of labor completed with every complication including doctor’s lingo and of course the happy endings.
PREGNANCY COMPLICATIONS
Nuchal Cord Complication
It refers to the umbilical cord being wrapped around the neck of the baby; in case it is wrapped twice the case is known as double nuchal. About 24% of births suffer from nuchal cord.
According to genealogist Nanci Levine, M.D., at Montefiore Medical Center in Westchester, N.Y. A nuchal cord does not always mean that the baby is in threat even if in some cases the heart rate of the baby is slowed which is referred to as “variable deceleration in heart rate tracing”. But in a situation where the contraction is starting and still the heart beat is not up that means the cord is too tight and that could mean problem for the baby.
The same can be understood by the example of Catherine Hooper who is 34 years old and a mother of now 21 month old Sophie. As her baby was coming down suddenly the heart beat of the baby went from fast to nil. The doctors assumed that this was due to nuchal cord and applied up-ward pressure due to which the heart beat returned instantly and as soon as the baby came out the doctors instantly unwrapped the cord.
According to doctors if the variable deceleration tracing of the heart beat carries on for a while the mother is required to deliver sooner. If in some case the mother is unable to push, vacuum extractor or forceps are used to bring the baby out of the canal. A vacuum extractor is a soft cup with light suction power which is placed on the head of the baby to bring it out.
If in any case the mother is not sufficiently dilated or the baby is too high up a C section is recommended.
Cephalopelvic Disproportion (CPD) Complication
This refers to failure in progress which means the head of the baby is too big to pass on from the pelvis of the mother. Although it is not clearly known on what percentage of deliveries face from this complication as doctors are not sure whether every such case is CPD or simply another failure to progress due to other reasons such as halt in baby’s movement due to unknown reasons or due to the halt in the mother’s dilating. There is no exact way to predict CPD before labor , as you can measure the mother’s pelvis but it is never certain and is an unreliable way. Though exercising and watching your diet during pregnancy can reduce chances of developing pregnancy complications such as gestational diabetes and lowering chances of a heavy baby.
Meconium Aspiration Complication
Meconium is a tarry black substance that is present in the baby’s intestines. In situations where this substance mixes with the amniotic fluid which is inhaled by the baby, Meconium Aspiration occurs in form of breathing problems.
This pregnancy complications occurs in almost 10% of deliveries and is more common in cases that are overdue for a week or more, though 1% to 6% of babies get ill from it.
If the doctor spots Meconium, he or she will instantly clear it off the nose and mouth of the baby and in case the baby has inhaled it the baby will be sent to Intensive Care for treatment. According to expert doctors the baby usually requires some breathing support and recovers from the problem.
Placenta Previa Complication
This refers to the placenta covering the cervix of the mother. This complication is usually spotted early in 75% cases and as the delivery time arrives the placenta pulls away and no problem remains.
However if by the 36th week the placenta is not removed from the cervix a C section is required. If in any case the mother is vaginally bleeding a C section should be done immediately as blood loss can be great.
Breech Baby Complication
This case is also known as “malpresentation” which means the baby’s position in the mother’s uterus is otherwise than it should be. It is either head up, or sideways or feet down. This is a rare pregnancy complications with only 4% cases being reported to suffer from it.
There are some exercises recommended which are said to help in turning the baby’s position. Also doctors will try to apply pressure on the mother’s abdomen externally at the 37th to 38th week to make the baby shift position, however if the baby turns back the doctors are more likely to schedule a C section. Very few OB’s will schedule a vaginal delivery due to fear of the baby’s head getting stuck in the birth canal.
Fetal Distress Complication
Another pregnancy complications is fetal distress complication and this is an old term not quite used by doctors now. Usually it refers to fetal heart rate which means the baby’s heart rate is low and is not returning to normal even after contraction. This is a situation to worry and it does not occur very often.
If in any case the cervix of a woman is fully dilated with the baby’s head low the doctors will use vacuum extractor or forceps to pull the baby out or else it is a C section.
Your doctor would be able to tell if you’re suffering from any pregnancy complications during your normal pregnancy check.
