Prolonged labor
Prolonged labor, also
known as failure to progress, occurs when labor lasts about 20 hours or more if
you're having a baby for the first time, and 14 hours or more if you've already
had a baby. A long latent phase occurs during the first stage of labor. It can
be exhausting and emotionally draining, but rarely leads to complications.
However, prolonged
labor in the active phase of labor can be a concern. If you experience delayed
progression, your doctor will begin to run tests to determine the cause.
What causes prolonged labor?
There are a number of
possible causes of prolonged labor. During the latent phase, slow effacement of
the cervix can cause an increase in the duration of labor. During the active
phase, if the baby is too big, the birth canal is too small, or the woman's
pelvis is too small, labor may take longer or not go through.
Pregnancy of twins
can also lead to prolonged labor, as can weak uterine contractions or incorrect
positioning of the baby. Research has also linked prolonged labor or failure to
progress to psychological factors such as anxiety, stress, or fear. In
addition, some painkillers can slow down or weaken contractions.
What are the solutions?
While some causes of
delayed labor may require medical attention, there are steps you can take to
make things easier for yourself. If you can't progress during the latency
phase, it's best to relax and wait for the cervix to mature.
Take a walk, sleep,
or take a warm bath. If medications slow down your contractions, you may have
to wait for them to pass out of your body. Sometimes changing position can make
the process easier; lie on the other side, stand up, walk or sit down.
Prolonged labor and caesarean section
A caesarean section
can be a solution to many of the problems that cause prolonged labor. Almost a
third of caesarean sections are performed due to slow progression. If your baby
is turned the wrong way, the head is too big to fit through the pelvis, or the
baby's head is in the wrong position, a caesarean section may be the best
choice to avoid further complications.
Caesarean section is
also very common in multiple births. Nearly half of twins are born by caesarean
section, while about 90% of triplets are born by caesarean section. Although a
caesarean section is a major operation and there are risks associated with the
procedure, it is considered quite safe.
This procedure is most commonly used to prevent more serious complications in childbirth, and the risk is generally considered to be worth the risk of avoiding other critical problems in labor.