Labor that is too long can not only be exhausting, but also dangerous for the condition of the mother and fetus in the womb. This jammed delivery process can cause the mother to be tired, as well as increases the baby's risk of fetal distress, injury, and infection.
Normal delivery can take about 12-18 hours in first-time mothers and can be several hours earlier in mothers who have given birth more than once.
Prolonged labor was defined as labor that lasted more than 20 hours for first-time mothers. Meanwhile, for mothers who have given birth more than once, labor is called too long if it lasts for more than 14 hours.
Causes of a Longer Labor Process
There are several things that may cause the labor process to be longer, namely:
- Thinning of the cervix or slow opening of the birth canal.
- The contractions that appear are not strong enough.
- The birth canal is too small for the baby to pass, or the baby is too big to pass through the birth canal. This condition is also known as CPD (cephalopelvic disproportion).
- The baby's position is not normal, for example, breech or transverse.
- Give birth to twins.
- Psychological problems experienced by the mother, such as stress, fear, or excessive worry.
Bad Possibilities That Can Befall Babies
Longer delivery times have the potential to harm the baby's health. The following are some of the complications that can arise as a result of a prolonged labor process:
1. Bayi lack of oxygen in the womb
The labor process that is too long can make the baby lack of oxygen. The longer the baby is deprived of oxygen, the more severe the effects will be.
Some of the things that a baby may experience after delivery if he is deprived of oxygen are difficulty breathing, weak heartbeat, weak or limp muscles, and organ damage, especially the brain.
If this condition is severe, the baby may have problems with the brain, heart, lungs or kidneys that have the potential to endanger his life.
2. beat his heart abnormal
Labor that is too long can make the baby's heartbeat abnormal. The normal heart rate of a newborn is between 120-160 beats per minute. If the heart rate is less than 120 or more than 160 per minute, then this condition can be considered abnormal.
Fetal heartbeat that is too slow or fast this could be a sign that he is experiencing fetal distress.
3. Breathing problems in babies
The long labor process can stress the baby and pass his first stool or meconium. This meconium can mix with the amniotic fluid and be inhaled by the baby, so that it enters his lungs. When this happens, the baby can experience respiratory problems.
4. Uterine infection
Labor that is too long can increase the risk of an infection in the uterus or membranes called chorioamnionitis. This condition occurs when bacteria have infected the sac and the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus.
Infected amniotic fluid is a serious condition that can harm the condition of the fetus and mother.
Besides being harmful to the fetus, labor for too long can also harm the mother's condition. This prolonged labor can put the mother at higher risk for postpartum hemorrhage and perineal rupture.
To help speed up a labor that is taking too long, the doctor may deliver the baby with a birthing aid, such as a vacuum or forceps, when the baby's head is outside the vagina. Before performing the procedure, the doctor will perform an episiotomy to widen the baby's birth canal.
If the head of the fetus has not descended past the cervix and labor has been going on for too long, then the doctor may advise the mother to induce labor or give birth by caesarean section if the induction process fails.
Not only during pregnancy, the birth process also needs to be prepared as well as possible. With good preparation, pregnant women and doctors can anticipate difficulties that may occur during the labor process, including labor that lasts longer.
Therefore, it is important to carry out regular pregnancy check-ups to the obstetrician according to the schedule.
