Abnormalities and complications of labor and delivery should be diagnosed and managed as early as possible.
In pregnancy, intrapartum complications may be caused by known risk factors that precede or begin during the current pregnancy. If a complication is anticipated, prevention or preparation may minimize morbidity.
Some of the following complications can develop or become evident during labor or delivery:
Abnormal fetal presentation, position, or lie Fetal Presentation, Position, and Lie (Including Breech Presentation) Abnormal fetal lie or presentation may occur due to fetal size, fetal anomalies, uterine structural abnormalities, multiple gestation, or other factors. Diagnosis is by examination or ultrasonography... read more
Some complications are emergencies that require delivery to be expedited with operative vaginal delivery Operative Vaginal Delivery Operative vaginal delivery involves application of forceps or a vacuum extractor to the fetal head to assist during the second stage of labor and facilitate delivery. Indications for forceps... read more or cesarean delivery Cesarean Delivery Cesarean delivery is surgical delivery by incision into the uterus. The rate of cesarean delivery was 32% in the United States in 2021 (see March of Dimes: Delivery Method). The rate has fluctuated... read more . Maternal hemodynamic status may need to be supported with fluid resuscitation or blood product transfusion. The neonatal care team should be informed when alternative delivery methods are to be used so they can be ready if neonatal resuscitation Neonatal Resuscitation Extensive physiologic changes accompany the birth process, sometimes unmasking conditions that posed no problem during intrauterine life. For that reason, a person with neonatal resuscitation... read more is required.