Causes of labor that is progressing too slowly include the following:
Fetus is too big to move through the birth canal (pelvis and vagina)
Fetus is in an abnormal position Fetal Presentation, Position, and Lie (Including Breech Presentation) During pregnancy, the fetus can be positioned in many different ways inside the mother's uterus. The fetus may be head up or down or facing the mother's back or front. At first, the fetus can... read more
Birth canal is too small
Contractions of the uterus are too weak or not often enough to keep the fetus moving
Occasionally, contractions are too strong or close together
Doctors estimate the size of the fetus and birth canal and check the fetus’s position. They also check the strength and timing of contractions. These factors determine treatment.
If the birth canal is big enough for the fetus but labor is not progressing, the woman is given oxytocin intravenously to stimulate the uterus to contract more forcefully. If oxytocin is unsuccessful, a cesarean delivery Cesarean Delivery Cesarean delivery is surgical delivery of a baby by incision through a woman’s abdomen and uterus. In the United States, over 30% of deliveries are cesarean. Doctors use a cesarean delivery... read more may be necessary. Or if the baby is already in position to be delivered, a vacuum extractor or forceps Operative Vaginal Delivery Operative vaginal delivery is delivery using a vacuum extractor or forceps. A vacuum extractor consists of a small cup made of a rubberlike material that is connected to a vacuum. It is inserted... read more may be used instead.
If the fetus is too big or the birth canal is too small for the fetus to move through the birth canal, cesarean delivery Cesarean Delivery Cesarean delivery is surgical delivery of a baby by incision through a woman’s abdomen and uterus. In the United States, over 30% of deliveries are cesarean. Doctors use a cesarean delivery... read more is done.
Drugs Mentioned In This Article
Generic Name | Select Brand Names |
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oxytocin |
Pitocin |