What is prolonged labor?

The birth of a baby is a wonderful and sacred moment for a parent. However, in order to have that happy moment, the mother had to make a lot of efforts, because not all women are lucky to have an easy labor, especially those who are in labor for a long time, making the process of childbirth difficult. more difficult.

Giving birth is a unique experience just for women, whether you are a first time or a second time mother. After the "heavy carrying" stage, pregnant women enter the "painful labor" stage. Labor is a process that marks the end of 9 months of pregnancy.
Normal labor begins with short uterine contractions, lasting about 10 to 15 seconds, and the frequency is often as long as 10 minutes of a contraction. These contractions usually cause mild pain. The closer to the time of delivery, the longer the uterine contractions last about 15-20 seconds, then 20-30 seconds, and when the contractions last about 30-40 seconds, the baby is about to be born. The occurrence of contractions is also more frequent, 10 minutes there will be 3 contractions and when 10 minutes there are more than 3 contractions and when the mother has severe abdominal pain, it is time to push for the baby.
Thus, labor consists of a series of intense, repetitive uterine contractions. Contractions help push the baby out of the uterus and into the birth canal. You will probably feel contractions in your lower back and abdomen. This is called labor pain. Contractions help dilate (widen) the opening to the vagina (called the cervix). This allows the baby to move out of your body and be born. First-time mothers usually go into labor about 12 to 18 hours on average, from the time their first contractions appear. If you've had children before, labor usually goes faster, usually about half that time.

Prolonged labor occurs when labor lasts about 20 hours or more if a woman gives birth for the first time and 14 hours or more if she has a second baby. Labor can be abnormally prolonged due to the contractions of the uterus. uterine, fetal or pelvic abnormalities.
Prolonged labor can happen if:
The baby is very large and difficult to move through the birth canal. The baby is in an unusual position. Usually, your baby is face down on your back. The birth canal is too small for the baby to move through. When the mother's pelvis is too small or the vagina is not dilated enough for the baby to be born, labor will be prolonged. In addition, if the pelvis has an abnormal shape or the vagina has a tumor, it also becomes the cause of prolonged labor. Maternal contractions are weak.

Most pregnant women wish for fast labor and quick delivery. But if your labor is very slow, don't worry too much as your doctor, nurse or midwife will closely monitor you and your baby for any problems during this time. .
Labor that lasts too long can be dangerous to the fetus:
Low oxygen levels Irregular heartbeat Abnormal substances in the amniotic fluid Uterine infection

If your labor is long, you may be advised to rest a bit. Sometimes your doctor will give you medicine to ease the pain of labor and help you relax. You may feel like changing your body position to become more comfortable.
If the fetus has entered the birth canal, the doctor will consider using an assisted delivery procedure such as forceps or suction to assist in the delivery.

Cesarean section (C-section) will be indicated in case of prolonged, non-progressive labor. If the fetal head is in the wrong position or the baby's head is too large for the mother's pelvis, cesarean section is considered the best option to avoid more serious complications for both mother and baby.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively. Pregnant women will no longer be alone when entering labor because having a loved one to help them during childbirth always brings peace of mind and happiness.
Pregnant women will be consulted and checked for health under the close supervision of experienced and specialized Obstetricians, helping mothers have more knowledge to protect their health during pregnancy as well as reduce reduce complications for mother and child.

Article reference source: webmd.com