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Did Your Newborn Suffer Cerebral
Palsy or Another Brain Injury Before
or During Labor and Delivery?
Get a FREE guide of resources available throughout Ohio to children and families of children who were born with brain injuries.
Our guide can help you build a foundation of knowledge and tools that will help you help your child
now and in the future.
Prolonged labor isn’t just miserable for the mother; it can harm the baby. Doctors have options on how to help a woman who isn’t as far along in labor as she should be. They will carefully monitor the baby and mother and take action when necessary. It’s helpful to understand prolonged labor and the concerns it raises.
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Also termed “failure to progress,” prolonged labor means you haven’t moved along in the birthing process as you should. Depending on whether the woman is a first-time mother or has had children before, labor times can vary. Other factors play a role in labor as well.
However, most doctors will say a woman is in prolonged labor if she hasn’t given birth within 18 to 24 hours. The time diminishes if you are carrying twins to not above 16 hours.
Several issues can cause a woman to be in labor for too long. When the baby is bigger, they can’t move through the birth canal as easily. The infant may also be in an abnormal position, which makes it difficult or impossible for the baby to be born. Sometimes, the birth canal is just too small or the contractions aren’t strong enough to push the baby forward.
Women who are older or have health issues may face prolonged labor. On the other hand, even young women may have difficulty giving birth if the baby is large or in the wrong position.
The medical team will monitor the baby’s heart rate to make sure they aren’t in distress. They will also keep an eye on the mother to ensure she can continue through the labor naturally. If it is determined that the woman is experiencing prolonged labor, the doctor will check the strength and frequency of the contractions.
The doctor may recommend medicine to increase the speed and strength of the contractions to help with delivery. If the baby still cannot be delivered or is in distress, the doctor will likely perform a C-section. If the baby is already in the birth canal, the doctor may use forceps to guide the baby through.
When it takes too long for a baby to be born, they face several risks. It can reduce the level of oxygen in the baby or cause an abnormal heart rhythm. It can lead to a uterine infection or allow abnormal substances to be present in the amniotic fluid.
Prolonged labor increases the risk of health issues for either the mother or the baby, but it isn’t a certainty. Having a medical team that closely monitors both and acts quickly when necessary can allow you to have a healthy baby regardless of the timeline for delivery. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about the risk of prolonged labor before you are ready to deliver. They can also provide advice on how you can help prevent this issue beforehand by remaining active and following other tips for a safe and fast delivery.
Also termed “failure to progress,” prolonged labor means you haven’t moved along in the birthing process as you should. Depending on whether the woman is a first-time mother or has had children before, labor times can vary. Other factors play a role in labor as well.
However, most doctors will say a woman is in prolonged labor if she hasn’t given birth within 18 to 24 hours. The time diminishes if you are carrying twins to not above 16 hours.
Several issues can cause a woman to be in labor for too long. When the baby is bigger, they can’t move through the birth canal as easily. The infant may also be in an abnormal position, which makes it difficult or impossible for the baby to be born. Sometimes, the birth canal is just too small or the contractions aren’t strong enough to push the baby forward.
Women who are older or have health issues may face prolonged labor. On the other hand, even young women may have difficulty giving birth if the baby is large or in the wrong position.
The medical team will monitor the baby’s heart rate to make sure they aren’t in distress. They will also keep an eye on the mother to ensure she can continue through the labor naturally. If it is determined that the woman is experiencing prolonged labor, the doctor will check the strength and frequency of the contractions.
The doctor may recommend medicine to increase the speed and strength of the contractions to help with delivery. If the baby still cannot be delivered or is in distress, the doctor will likely perform a C-section. If the baby is already in the birth canal, the doctor may use forceps to guide the baby through.
When it takes too long for a baby to be born, they face several risks. It can reduce the level of oxygen in the baby or cause an abnormal heart rhythm. It can lead to a uterine infection or allow abnormal substances to be present in the amniotic fluid.
Prolonged labor increases the risk of health issues for either the mother or the baby, but it isn’t a certainty. Having a medical team that closely monitors both and acts quickly when necessary can allow you to have a healthy baby regardless of the timeline for delivery. It’s a good idea to talk to your doctor about the risk of prolonged labor before you are ready to deliver. They can also provide advice on how you can help prevent this issue beforehand by remaining active and following other tips for a safe and fast delivery.