Potential Problems That Can Occur During the First Stage of Labor

In most cases, the first stage of labor is not problematic. However, if there were complications, the following information may be of some use so you can know how to manage it wisely.

• Lingering latent phase. The early stage of labor is considered prolonged if it lasts for more then twenty hours in a woman that is going through her first labor. It is considered prolonged if it lasts more then fourteen hours in a woman that has already given birth before. it is possible that the doctor will not be able to determine when the labor actually began, therefore it is not always that easy to know when it is a prolonged labor.

• If the doctor determines that the labor is taking too long, there are two alternatives that can be chosen from. One of the alternatives is to use medication such as sedatives, to help the mother relax. The work of labor can then reduce offset, meaning that it began from a beginning of a false labor, or it may make the labor begin. Another way of speeding up the labor is by breaking the water bag or by administering oxytocin.

• Delay dysfunctions. This happens when the cervix dilates too slowly or when the head of the baby does not descend at a normal rhythm. If it is your first baby, the neck of the uterus should dilate at a normal rhythm of at least 1,2 centimeters per hour, and the baby’s head should descend 1 centimeter an hour. In the case of women that have given birth before, the neck of the uterus should dilate at least 1,5 centimeters per hour and the baby’s head should descend around 2 centimeters every hour.

• These dysfunctions can occur when the baby’s head is too big to go through the birth canal of the mother. It can also happen because the baby’s head is not in the right position or when the number of contractions is not or the intensity of the contractions is not adequate. In these cases the doctor will try to administer oxytocin to improve the rhythm of the labor.

• Arrest dysfunctions. These dysfunctions occur when the neck of the uterus stops dilating of if the head of the baby stops descending for more than two hours during the active stage of the delivery. Doctors will try to administer oxytocin and see if it resolves the problem. However, if this medication does not do the trick, it is possible a cesarean will need to be done.