The birth of a baby can be miraculous and joyous, but there are also times when complications can occur, endangering the mother, the baby, or both.
Good prenatal care can help resolve many problems before they occur, giving your doctor time to respond before there is a complication or to identify a treatment plan that will reduce or eliminate problems. Good decisions during the pregnancy to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the mother and baby also can eliminate some complications that could make the birth process difficult.
Some complications that occur during birth may be temporary, including Erb’s palsy. This condition is characterized by nerve damage in the shoulder, arm or hand, and usually is the result of a problem guiding the baby through the birth canal. More than 80 percent of children with the condition make a full recovery, meaning it is only temporary. To find out more, research the condition or talk to your doctor.
Low birth weight is another problem discovered during childbirth. If not the result of premature birth, a low birth rate can be a consequence of a baby’s difficulty developing during pregnancy, perhaps because of the mother’s drug or alcohol use. This condition is found in more than eight percent of all newborn babies in the United States. A baby suffering from this condition likely will remain in the hospital after birth to gain weight and become healthier, sometimes for months.
There are times when a baby’s birth is hindered by problems with the umbilical cord. The umbilical cord may get caught on an arm or leg as the infant travels through the birth canal. Typically, the doctor can intervene during the birth if the cord becomes wrapped around the infant’s neck or arm, or if there are other related problems.
For the mother, complications can include things like preeclampsia, a condition that results in high blood pressure that can trigger the premature birth of a child or endanger the mother’s kidneys. The doctor can monitor the mother’s blood pressure and prescribe medicines that can reduce it. A planned early birth, preferably after 36 weeks, is often the best resolution to avoid major complications.
Any labor that occurs before 37 weeks of pregnancy is considered preterm, or premature. This can put a baby at greater risk after birth if labor occurs too early, before the baby’s organs, including the lungs and the brain, have finished developing. A premature birth can result in serious complications for the baby, including low birth weight, immature lungs, poor feeding, and difficulty regulating body temperature. A doctor can order bed rest and medications to reduce the risk of premature birth.
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