Things you need to know

Birthing complications are essential to identify to ensure safe delivery. If everything goes well during your 9th month pregnancy period, then the chances of complications are rare. Still, it is normal to feel worried or stressed about the possibility that something might go wrong when you go into labour.

Labour that does not progress

Prolonged labour or labour that does not progress is when the labour period is longer than anticipated. 

Possible causes of prolonged labour include:

• Slow cervical dilations
• If the size of the baby is large
• Multiple babies 
• Small birth canal

It is recommended to relax your body by walking, sleeping and trying other techniques that help to relieve stress.

Foetal distress

Foetal distress is a sign that there is a possibility that your baby is not feeling well. 

Possible causes of foetal distress include:

• Lack of oxygen
• Abnormal heart rate
• Low levels of amniotic fluid

It is recommended that if such a situation arises, changing positions, increasing the mother’s hydration, performing a C- section, and fluid transfusion into the amniotic cavity might help to relieve foetal distress.

Umbilical cord compression

When the tube becomes compressed or flattened, it restricts the nutrients, blood, and oxygen to reach the fetus.

Possible causes of umbilical cord compression include:

• Wrapped around baby’s neck (Nuchal cord)
• Baby’s position or movement 
• The cord being abnormally long (Knotted cord)

In mild cases, your doctor might suggest you switch positions, provide sufficient oxygen to help regulate the baby’s heart rate. The final attempt would be to perform C- section to avoid further complications in severe cases.

Shoulder Dystocia

Shoulder Dystocia is a situation when the head of the baby is out but the shoulder is stuck behind the pubic bone of the mother during birth.

Possible causes of shoulder dystocia include:

• Size of the baby is too big
• Previous case of shoulder dystocia
• Case of multiple babies
• Being overweight
• If the mother has diabetes

The doctor might try to unstuck the baby through different techniques or conduct an episiotomy.

Baby’s position in womb

Not every baby is found in an ideal position for vaginal delivery. The ideal position is head down and facing your back with the chin tucked to the chest.

Change in positions include:

• Breech baby
• The abnormal position is facing forward
• Abnormal presentations include the face, brow, breech, and shoulder

As per the position, it may be necessary to manually change the fetal position, use forceps or perform a C section.